By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has forwarded a ₦1.481 trillion budget proposal for Rivers State to the National Assembly (NASS) for approval, following the imposition of emergency rule in the state.
The budget request was presented during plenary by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and separately read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the red chamber.
It follows the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the appointment of former naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.
According to the appropriation breakdown, infrastructure receives the highest allocation with ₦324 billion, while ₦166 billion is earmarked for the health sector.
Education is projected to receive ₦75.6 billion, and ₦31.4 billion has been designated for agricultural development.
The president urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the appropriation bill, describing it as central to stabilising the state and resuming essential government functions amid ongoing political disruption.
Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on 18 March 2025, citing prolonged political unrest and sabotage of oil infrastructure.
His administration subsequently suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the entire state assembly for an initial period of six months.
On 3 April, Ibok-Ete Ibas announced plans to deliver a new 2025 budget prioritising core social sectors and capital development.
The proposed budget aligns with that strategy, aiming to stimulate job creation and drive long-term recovery through targeted investments in infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture.
An estimated 6,000 jobs are expected to be generated if the proposed budget is passed and implemented.
The Senate has referred the proposal to its Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule, which has been tasked with reviewing the submission and reporting back promptly for legislative consideration.
