The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has revealed that the proposed N1.48 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State includes provisions for the eventual return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political office holders.
Ibas made this disclosure on Wednesday while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight in Abuja.
"In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period," Ibas stated.
Budget Aligned with Development Plan
According to the Sole Administrator, the proposed budget aligns with the strategic objectives outlined in the Rivers State Development Plan 2017-2027. He emphasized that the budget presents a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues, accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors of the state.
However, Ibas expressed concerns about the lack of cooperation from state government officials, accusing them of failing to provide his administration with adequate information needed to comprehensively capture all expenditures in the budget.
Background on Rivers State Crisis
It should be recalled that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara and other officials for a period of six months. This action came amid escalating political tensions in the oil-rich state.
The budget defense comes at a critical time as stakeholders continue to monitor the political situation in Rivers State, with questions remaining about when normal governance will resume in the state.
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