IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval of the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, amounting to N1.48 trillion. The request comes in the wake of the emergency rule imposed on the state earlier this year due to mounting political instability and security threats.
The president’s request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. The letter, which was read on the floor of both chambers during Thursday’s plenary sessions, explained that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to approve state expenditures under emergency rule, given the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to President Tinubu, Regulation 4(2) of the 2025 Emergency Rule provides that authorisation for spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state must come from the National Assembly when the state’s legislature is unable to function. He said this provision forms the legal basis for forwarding the budget proposal to the federal legislature.
The proposed N1.48 trillion budget prioritizes critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture. The president noted that the plan includes significant funding for capital projects, health interventions including a N5 billion allocation for free drugs targeting malaria and other common ailments educational initiatives, and agricultural development. He added that the spending plan is projected to create over 6,000 jobs across the state.
This is the first budget proposal under the administration of Vice Admiral (retired) Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was appointed as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the March 18 emergency proclamation. The emergency measures saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Citing Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to legislate for a state where its legislature is incapacitated, President Tinubu expressed confidence that the federal lawmakers would give the appropriation bill urgent consideration.
Shortly after reading the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State, directing the committee to review the proposal and report back promptly.
In concluding his letter, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of the appropriation bill in maintaining governance and ensuring stability in the state. He urged the National Assembly to act swiftly, reaffirming his highest regards for the legislature and trust in its cooperation.
The National Assembly is expected to debate and potentially amend the proposal before granting its final approval.
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