Following the state’s House of Assembly being suspended, Governor Bola Tinubu has now officially submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration.
The proposed budget totals 1.481 trillion in a letter addressed to Senator Goodwill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, with significant funding for revitalizing key industries.
The proposed funding for the health sector is 106 billion, including 5 billion for free malaria medications, while that amount is at the top of the list, which includes 324 billion for infrastructure.
75.6 billion will be allocated to the education sector, while 31.4 billion will be allocated to the development of agriculture.
READ MORE HERE: Demand Fubara’s Reinstatement, Rivers Women Rally In Port Harcourt Once More, and
With the intention of creating approximately 6, 000 new jobs, the budget, according to the proposal, focuses on strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture.
President Tinubu requests an expedite review in a formal letter to the Senate.
The Senate’s Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule receives instructions to review the proposal and submit a report back to the chamber as soon as possible.
Additionally, Tinubu contacted the House of Representatives to request the Rivers State budget’s approval, letting them know that the Supreme Court had rejected the 2025 budget presented by suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Rule of emergency
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025, following months of political tussles between Rivers State House of Assembly members who are close to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The President also announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for a full six-month period in a nationwide broadcast proclaiming the state of emergency.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) was chosen as the president’s administrator for the first six months.
According to Tinubu, who relyed on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to support his position, he can’t continue to observe the political deterioration in Rivers.
Civil society organizations and activists who have also called for their reinstatement have condemned the suspension of elected officials.
Since its declaration, there have also been protests against and for the emergency rule in Rivers State’s citizens, particularly women.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply