The Senate revealed on Thursday that approximately 85 per cent of the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget presented by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), had originally been prepared under the administration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This was disclosed by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance in Rivers State, during a budget defence session with Ibas and top state officials at the National Assembly.
Bamidele stated, “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.”
The committee also noted that Ibas had requested a N50 billion supplementary budget to cover pending pension and gratuity obligations, a proposal currently under Senate consideration.
“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,” Bamidele explained.
He further mentioned that more than 70 per cent of the budget is allocated to capital projects, a move the Senate commended and recommended as a model for other states.
“This shows a clear commitment to development and infrastructure, rather than recurrent expenses,” he added.
Earlier, the Senate Committee had pledged to monitor the disbursement of the 2025 budget closely and intensify oversight on its implementation as the emergency governance in Rivers State continues.
