The Senate revealed on Thursday that approximately 85% of the proposed N1.48 trillion 2025 budget submitted by Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was initially prepared under the administration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This disclosure was made by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chair of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance in Rivers State, during a budget defense hearing held at the National Assembly, where Ibas and senior state officials were present to provide clarifications on the fiscal plan.
Bamidele said, “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 revealed that Ibas has requested a N50 billion supplementary budget to address outstanding pensions and gratuities — a move the Senate is now considering.
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“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 said.
He added that over 70 per cent of the budget is earmarked for capital projects — a move the Senate described as commendable and urged other states to emulate.
“This shows a clear commitment to development and infrastructure, rather than recurrent expenses,” he said.
Earlier, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance in Rivers State had affirmed its commitment to rigorously monitor the disbursement of the 2025 budget and strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability in its implementation. The pledge comes amid the ongoing emergency governance arrangement in the state, as lawmakers emphasized the importance of transparency and due process under the interim administration.