The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the delayed submission of the state’s 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), saying the document was presented far behind the timeline required by law.
Amaewhule said the budget framework should have been submitted much earlier in line with the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law, but was only forwarded when the year was already significantly advanced.
Despite the delay, the Speaker said the Assembly decided to approve the document in the interest of the state and to avoid further setbacks in the budget process.
The Rivers Assembly approved the spending framework on Friday during plenary, barely 24 hours after it was presented and read before lawmakers.
In a statement released by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, Amaewhule said Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010 clearly provides that the MTEF should be laid before the House in September, four months before the start of the next fiscal year.
According to him, Governor Fubara failed to comply with that legal timeline, resulting in what he described as a major delay in the budget planning process.
“But in the interest of the state, the House deemed it expedient to consider the document, which is a precursor to the State’s 2026 Budget Estimate, even though the year is already half gone.”
Amaewhule stated that lawmakers carefully reviewed the projections and assumptions contained in the framework before making a decision.
He said members examined the economic and financial indicators outlined in the MTEF and concluded that, if properly implemented, the framework could support governance and development in Rivers State.
Following deliberations, the Speaker put the matter to a vote and members unanimously adopted the framework.
The approval clears the way for the eventual presentation of the 2026 budget estimates by the executive arm.
Meanwhile, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu, over what was described as a looming security threat in parts of the local government area.
The petition was presented on the floor of the House by Hon. Emilia Amadi, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency II.
According to the petition, there are concerns over threats to lives, destruction of property, and attempts by certain individuals to forcefully take over property within the council area.
Amadi urged the Assembly to urgently revisit the matter and take necessary action to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
She stressed the need for immediate intervention to protect residents and secure affected communities.
