The Rivers State House of Assembly has assured Governor Siminalayi Fubara that it will expedite consideration of the state’s proposed N1.854 trillion 2026 budget despite its presentation midway into the fiscal year.
Governor Fubara presented the appropriation bill, titled Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development, before lawmakers in Port Harcourt, outlining his administration’s spending priorities for the year.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, acknowledged that the proposal arrived six months into the budget cycle but said the Assembly would consider it promptly while adhering to constitutional and legal requirements.
According to the governor, the budget allocates about N1.405 trillion for capital projects and N413.11 billion for recurrent expenditure. He said projected revenue for 2026 is expected to rise by 24.49 per cent compared to the adjusted 2025 budget, driven by anticipated increases in Federation Account allocations, derivation revenue and internally generated income.
Fubara described the budget as a product of extensive consultations with residents, adding that it is designed to promote economic resilience, sustainable development and improved living standards across the state.
He identified economic expansion, human capital development, infrastructure and social investment as the major priorities for the fiscal year.
The governor also said his administration had maintained financial discipline despite political and governance challenges, noting that investments had continued in infrastructure, education and security.
“We have remained committed to prudent management of public resources and ensuring that government spending translates into development, investment opportunities and job creation,” he said.
Sectoral allocations include N533.32 billion for works and infrastructure, N315 billion for education, N105.43 billion for healthcare, N19.26 billion for agriculture, N15 billion for power and N7.98 billion for sports. Youth development received N7 billion, while N41.44 billion was proposed for the State House of Assembly and N30 billion for the judiciary.
Other allocations include N8.5 billion for chieftaincy and community development, N6.61 billion for environment and sustainable development, and N6.5 billion for women affairs.
Fubara urged lawmakers to support the proposal regardless of political differences, saying its implementation would help fast-track development and improve the welfare of residents across the state.
In his response, Amaewhule said the Assembly would subject the budget to legislative scrutiny by engaging relevant ministries, departments and agencies before reaching a decision.
He recalled that lawmakers had recently approved the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and assured the governor that the same level of diligence would be applied to the appropriation bill.
The Speaker said the House remained committed to acting in the best interest of Rivers State and ensuring that every sector capable of improving residents’ welfare receives adequate attention.
Following the presentation, the Appropriation Bill was read for the first time and subsequently passed first reading. The session ended with Governor Fubara exchanging handshakes with lawmakers before joining them for a group photograph outside the Assembly chamber.
