Rivers State Sole Administrator, Mr. Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Tuesday presented a ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget to the House of Representatives, outlining plans to rebuild infrastructure, enhance healthcare and education, and support economic inclusion under the ongoing state of emergency.
Ibas lamented that some suspended state officials withheld vital information, complicating efforts to account for first-quarter expenditures under the previous administration. Despite this, he said the revised framework aligns with national standards and the state’s 2017–2027 development plan.
Key allocations include ₦324.5bn for infrastructure, ₦55bn for the state teaching hospital, ₦50bn for zonal hospitals, ₦38.85bn for erosion control, ₦30bn for secondary schools, ₦2.5bn for women’s empowerment, and ₦117bn for pensions and gratuities.
“Our goal is to ensure that any Rivers citizen with a solid idea can access support, regardless of background,” Ibas said.
Committee chairman, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, praised the proposal and pledged thorough scrutiny, stating, “We’ll work with you to restore peace and development, but no corners will be cut.”
Budget defence sessions are expected to commence in the coming weeks.
Leave a Reply