The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has confirmed that the 2025 budget includes provisions for the anticipated return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political officeholders, following the expected end of emergency rule in the state.
Ibas made this known during a budget defense session on Wednesday before the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee overseeing the Rivers State emergency.
He explained that the proposed N1.48 trillion budget was intentionally designed to reintegrate officials once constitutional governance is restored.
He also noted that part of the 2025 fiscal plan aims to regularize expenditures incurred before the emergency was declared. However, he expressed concern over difficulties in achieving full accountability due to limited cooperation from certain state officials.
Emphasizing the federal governmentโs commitment to peace and development in Rivers State, Ibas said the budget reflects President Tinubuโs directive to maintain administrative continuity and promote grassroots entrepreneurship.
He further clarified that the budget was prepared in accordance with Section 11, Subsection 4 of the Constitution and has been formally submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
“In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.”
“Before the state of emergency declaration by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates,โ he said.
โGod willing, every River citizen with a great idea, carefully thought out, and well-planned will find the funding required to turn their dreams into successful ventures, irrespective of tribe, ethnic, or political divide,โ Ibas added.
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