Rivers Assembly Begins Passage of N1.8tn 2026 Budget After Delay

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced the legislative process for the passage of the state’s N1.8tn 2026 Appropriation Bill, more than one month after it was presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly gave the bill its second reading during plenary on Tuesday.

 

The budget, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was presented by Fubara on July 10.

 

Moving the motion for the second reading, the House Leader, Major Jack, led the debate on the major components of the proposed appropriation.

 

The Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, described the budget as ambitious and the highest ever proposed in the history of the state.

 

Maol, however, urged lawmakers to scrutinise the various allocations to ensure that appropriated funds are used for their intended purposes.

 

Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate called for the speedy passage of the bill.

 

Speaking during the sitting, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, said the House would conduct detailed legislative scrutiny and oversight of the budget to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilised.

 

He directed the various committees of the House to invite ministries, departments and agencies under the legislative competence of the Assembly for budget defence sessions.

 

Amaewhule also said the House would investigate non-governmental organisations and other institutions that had received funding and support from the state government.

 

According to a statement by the Speaker’s Media Adviser, Martins Wachukwu, the bill received its second reading at the Assembly’s 36th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session following a debate on its major components.

 

Jack, who led the debate, also highlighted the revenue framework of the proposed budget, saying appropriate legislative input would help facilitate development in the state.

 

The Assembly subsequently adjourned plenary until September 3.