The Senate has said that about 85 per cent of the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget submitted by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was originally drafted by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The Senate recently revealed that the current administrator only drafted the remaining 15 per cent to accommodate new projects.
Speaking during a budget defence session with Ibok-Ete Ibas and key state officials at the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance in Rivers State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, shared that engaging directly with the sole administrator and key members of his team led to the realization.
“In the last three weeks, we’ve reviewed this budget in detail and engaged directly with the sole administrator and key members of his team — including the Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary of Finance, the Budget Director, and the Planning Director — all of whom retained their positions after the emergency rule began.
Our findings show that at least 85 per cent of the submitted estimates were drawn up under the Fubara administration.
Only 15 per cent was added by the current administrator to accommodate new projects,” he said.
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Senator Opeyemi stated that Ibok-Ete Ibas has requested a N50 billion supplementary budget to tackle outstanding pensions and gratuities, and the Senate is currently considering his suggestion.
He stressed that injecting N50 billion is high on the list of priorities because it would help to settle pension liabilities and aid the peace in Rivers State.
The lawmaker confirmed that Ibok-Ete Ibas is very passionate about his request, and the Senate fully agrees with the notion.
“Part of the urgent need is to inject N50 billion to settle pension liabilities and enhance peace in Rivers State.
The administrator is passionate about it, and we agree — governance is not just about roads and infrastructure. It’s also about ensuring those who have served the state receive their due,” the Senator said.
He concluded by saying that more than 70 per cent of the budget is earmarked for capital projects, a decision that should be worthy of emulation by other states across Nigeria.
“This shows a clear commitment to development and infrastructure, rather than recurrent expenses,” he added.
