Governor Siminalayi Fubara don present di 2026 Appropriation Bill to Rivers State House of Assembly, marking im first appearance before di Assembly wey Martin Amaewhule dey lead since di political crisis wey split di legislature for 2023.
Di session open with Amaewhule walk enter di chambers for full speaker regalia before di governor arrive. A motion to receive di governor na Majority Leader Major Jack move am, and Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo second am, before Governor Fubara enter to formally present di bill.
Presenting di estimates wey dem tag “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” Governor Fubara say di proposal na to sustain economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, improve human capital development and enhance social investments across di state. Im attribute di expected growth to higher receipts from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
Governor Fubara also announce plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent and clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits wey dem owe retired civil servants. Im say im administration don maintain fiscal stability through prudent management of public funds, stressing say di government remain committed to accountability, transparency and responsible spending.
“We go ensure every kobo dey spend wisely to create jobs for our people. Di collective interests of our people be most important to us as government,” im yarn.
Di governor urge lawmakers to approve di budget, describing am as people-centred blueprint wey aim to accelerate development, attract investment, create jobs and improve living standards of residents across di coastal state. “Make we join hands to make sure Rivers State continue to stand out for good governance,” di governor add, before formally hand di bill to Speaker Amaewhule.
Receiving di bill, Amaewhule subject am to immediate scrutiny before address di governor directly on behalf of di House. “Make I assure you on behalf of di members say we go give due consideration to your budget proposals,” im yarn. Im say di Assembly dey fully aware of im responsibility. “Our state must grow, and all hands must dey on deck for di growth of Rivers State,” Amaewhule yarn, before conclude on note of collective resolve. “We dey willing to do all wey dey needed as assembly so our people fit smile again.”
Di 2026 Appropriations Bill subsequently pass im first reading. Following di formal proceedings, Governor Fubara exchange warm pleasantries with lawmakers before dem accompany am out of di chambers by di Speaker and members of di House for group photograph – moment wey project picture of executive-legislative harmony wey no always define di relationship between both arms of government for Rivers State for recent years.
Di plenary dem thereafter adjourn to July 20. Di budget presentation signal major turning point for di state political landscape, wey come after di reconciliation of di governor and lawmakers following nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget presentations.
