Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the Martin Amaewhule-led legislature since the political crisis that split the Assembly in 2023.
The appropriation bill, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was formally laid before lawmakers during plenary at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
The session began with Speaker Martin Amaewhule taking his seat in full official regalia before the Majority Leader, Major Jack, moved a motion for the governor to be received into the chamber. The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, paving the way for Fubara to present the budget estimates.
Presenting the proposal, the governor said the 2026 budget was designed to consolidate economic gains, improve infrastructure, deepen social investment, and enhance human capital development across Rivers State.
He disclosed that the proposed expenditure represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget, attributing the projected growth to anticipated increases in allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation revenues, and internally generated revenue.
According to the governor, ₦413.1 billion has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is proposed for capital projects, reflecting the administration’s commitment to infrastructure expansion and development.
A sectoral breakdown of the budget showed that works and infrastructure received the largest allocation of ₦533.3 billion, followed by education with ₦315 billion. The health sector was allocated ₦105.4 billion, while ₦41.4 billion was proposed for the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The judiciary is expected to receive ₦30 billion, while agriculture was allocated ₦19.3 billion as part of efforts to boost food production and economic diversification.
Fubara also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent. He assured workers and retirees that his administration would settle outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants and the families of deceased employees.
The governor maintained that prudent management of public resources had enabled his administration to sustain fiscal stability, promising that transparency and accountability would remain central to government spending.
“We will ensure every kobo is spent wisely to create jobs for our people. The collective interests of our people are most important to us as a government,” Fubara said.
He described the budget as a people-focused development blueprint aimed at attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and improving the quality of life of residents.
Urging lawmakers to expedite consideration of the proposal, the governor said, “Let us join hands to make sure Rivers State continues to stand out in good governance.”
Responding after receiving the budget estimates, Speaker Amaewhule assured the governor that the Assembly would subject the proposal to thorough legislative scrutiny before taking further action.
“Let me assure you on behalf of the members that we will give due consideration to your budget proposals,” the Speaker said.
Amaewhule stressed that the legislature remained committed to its constitutional responsibilities and to the overall development of Rivers State.
“Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State. We are willing to do all that is needed as an Assembly so our people can smile again,” he added.
The appropriation bill subsequently scaled first reading.
At the end of the plenary, Governor Fubara exchanged pleasantries with members of the Assembly before leaving the chamber alongside Speaker Amaewhule and other lawmakers. Both arms of government also posed for a group photograph, a move widely seen as a demonstration of renewed cooperation between the executive and legislature following months of political tension.
