The Nigeria Senate through its ad-hoc committee on the oversight of Rivers State has revealed that a large chunk of the the N1.48tn 2025 budget submitted by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was originally put together by the administration of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Opeyemi Bamidele, The Chairman of the Senate ad hoc committee on emergency governance in Rivers made this disclosure during the budget defense session with Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) and other officials of the state government at the National Assembly.
“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,” Bamidele said.
The committee also revealed that Ibas had requested a N50bn supplementary budget to address outstanding pensions and gratuities, a move he said the Senate was considering.
“Part of the urgent need is to inject N50bn 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 said.
He also disclosed that a susbstantial part of the budget amounting to 70% was outlined for capital projects; an account the committee appraised as commendable.
“This shows a clear commitment to development and infrastructure, rather than recurrent expenses,” he said.
