By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State met on Thursday, to review and defend the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill. The committee, chaired by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, scrutinized the budget, which stands at ₦1.48 trillion, representing an 86.63% increase from the 2024 fiscal year.
The 2025 budget has a capital expenditure of ₦1.072 trillion, accounting for 72.43% of the total expenditure, while recurrent expenditure stands at ₦408.412 billion, accounting for 27.56% of the aggregate spending. The debt component of the budget is ₦250 billion, representing a 5.49% increase from the 2024 fiscal year.
The committee’s objective is to ensure that the budget aligns with the socio-economic realities of Rivers State and that allocated resources are utilized transparently and accountably. The committee will also track the implementation of the budget, monitoring disbursements, execution timelines, and delivery outcomes.
The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (RTD), and members of his team presented and defended the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill before the committee. The committee members engaged with the presentation, seeking clarifications and justifications for various budgetary allocations.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to democratic tenets and ensuring that governance is preserved. The chairman emphasized that the committee’s work would be of high quality and that the committee remains committed to national development and institutional integrity.
The committee’s report and recommendations will be presented to the Senate for further deliberation and approval. The budget defense session marks an important milestone in the legislative process, ensuring that the Rivers State government is held accountable for its budgetary allocations and expenditures.
