The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has raised serious concerns over a lack of transparency and cooperation from some government officials in the state, accusing them of withholding critical information regarding the implementation of the 2024 budget under the suspended administration.

Speaking before the House Special Committee overseeing the emergency rule in Rivers State on Wednesday, Ibas lamented the poor availability of documentation necessary for the preparation of the 2025 fiscal plan. He emphasized that the state must ensure transparency and constitutional compliance in the budgetary process.

“The existing documentation on the 2024 budget and its performance raises serious concerns and falls short of what is required for a credible and effective fiscal plan,” Ibas told lawmakers.

Citing Section 11, Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and a recent Supreme Court ruling on the matter, Ibas said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the submission of a fresh budget proposal for Rivers State. He added that he had sent a proposal to the President, which has since been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

Highlights of the 2025 Budget Proposal

The Administrator announced that the proposed 2025 budget is valued at ₦1.48 trillion, with a projected revenue of ₦1.4 trillion. As of May 2025, revenue inflows were reported at ₦597.14 billion — just 4% short of projections.

He revealed that the 2024 budget had a revenue performance of ₦1.04 trillion, surpassing its target of ₦800.39 billion by ₦250 billion or 31.6%. However, the reported expenditure was ₦740.74 billion, which was ₦52.7 billion (6.7%) below the target — a figure Ibas suggested may be understated due to unrecorded spending under the suspended administration.

The 2025 budget, he explained, was carefully crafted to incorporate expenditures incurred during the first quarter before the declaration of emergency rule. “Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures,” Ibas stated.

He said the budget framework integrates available expenditure information into a transparent and lawful structure, ensuring fiscal credibility while aligning with statutory appropriation requirements.

Sectoral Allocations and Development Goals

The proposed budget aligns with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027) and focuses on strategic sectors:

  • Infrastructure: ₦324.51 billion allocated to roads, bridges, and transport projects.
  • Environmental Protection: ₦38.85 billion earmarked for shoreline protection, land reclamation, and erosion control.
  • Agriculture: ₦4.5 billion as a counterpart fund to unlock ₦45 billion in rural infrastructure, ₦10 billion for food security initiatives, and ₦3.5 billion for mechanization programs expected to create over 16,000 jobs.
  • Health: ₦55 billion for the relocation and expansion of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, ₦50 billion for zonal hospital upgrades, and ₦5 billion for a drug revolving fund.
  • Education: ₦30 billion for zonal secondary schools, ₦5.75 billion for primary school rehabilitation, and additional provisions for inclusive education.
  • Women and Youth Development: ₦2.5 billion for women’s economic empowerment and ₦3 billion for a youth innovation and enterprise center.
  • Housing: ₦25 billion for housing schemes and estate rehabilitation to tackle urban congestion.
  • Public Administration: ₦117 billion for pensions and employee benefits, including ₦50 billion to address long-standing gratuity arrears.
  • Microfinance: ₦20 billion for the recapitalization of the Rivers State Microfinance Bank to support SMEs and underserved populations.

Ibas assured that the budget incorporates provisions for the return of suspended political office holders, whose roles and entitlements are still accounted for within the fiscal plan.

“This comprehensive and people-centered budget reflects our commitment to restoring governance, rebuilding institutions, and ensuring that Rivers State continues to thrive under a transparent, inclusive, and accountable framework,” Ibas said.

Legislative Response

Chairman of the House Committee and House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, commended the Administrator’s efforts and affirmed the committee’s dedication to scrutinizing the budget proposal thoroughly.

“Rivers State has always been a shining example of what is possible with good leadership,” Ihonvbere stated. “We will work with the Administrator to restore peace, stability, and development to the state. We will do our job without compromise — as we would for the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The committee pledged to support the restoration of constitutional order and ensure that all public funds are used for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.