Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday presented a proposed N1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, marking a significant step in the state’s budget process following months of political and legal disputes.
The appropriation bill, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was presented during plenary before the lawmakers.
The proposed budget represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the state’s adjusted 2025 budget and is aimed at consolidating investments in infrastructure, human capital development, security and economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline and transparency.
Presenting the estimates, Fubara said the budget was designed to accelerate development and improve the living standards of residents through prudent management of public resources.
According to him, the projected revenue of N1.854 trillion will be financed through internally generated revenue, Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations, derivation proceeds, grants, loans, asset sales and opening balances.
A breakdown of the proposal showed that the state expects to generate N487.61 billion from internally generated revenue, while N936.05 billion is projected from FAAC allocations, including derivation funds, Value Added Tax and exchange gains.
The governor added that capital receipts, grants, loans and asset sales would contribute N382.48 billion, while opening and closing balances are estimated at N48.11 billion.
On expenditure, Fubara proposed N413.11 billion for recurrent spending and N1.405 trillion for capital projects, underscoring his administration’s focus on infrastructure development.
He also disclosed that adequate provisions had been made to offset outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed retired civil servants, some of which had accumulated over several years.
The governor said infrastructure would remain a major priority, with funding earmarked for the completion of ongoing road projects, construction of new roads and maintenance of existing public facilities across the state.
He added that education would also receive increased funding to improve learning outcomes and strengthen human capital development.
Describing the proposal as a people-oriented budget, Fubara urged lawmakers to place the interests of Rivers residents above political considerations.
“The collective interests of our state and people are more important than any other consideration,” he said.
“We must recognise our shared responsibility to act deliberately to accelerate development and recover as much lost ground as possible.
“As leaders, it is our collective duty to ensure every kobo is spent where it is most needed and to deliver on our mandates to the people.”
The presentation comes against the backdrop of the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, which had stalled the state’s budget process.
In December 2024, Fubara presented the 2025 budget to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led four-member assembly loyal to him.
However, the Supreme Court, in February 2025, affirmed a Federal High Court judgment directing the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation to withhold Rivers State’s statutory allocations until the governor presented the appropriation bill before the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
The apex court also reinstated the Amaewhule-led assembly as the legally recognised legislature and nullified the October 5, 2024 local government election in the state.
In March 2025, the governor was prevented from accessing the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt when he attempted to present the 2025 budget to the Amaewhule-led lawmakers, further deepening the political impasse.
