The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved the 2025 budget for Rivers State totaling N1.485 trillion, following a review by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oversighting the Emergency Rule in the state.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee and Leader of the Senate, presented the committee's report during plenary, noting that the bill authorizes the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
Budget Breakdown
The approved budget allocates:
N120.8 billion for debt servicing
N287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure
N1.077 trillion for capital expenditure
During the session, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) expressed concerns about the additional N50 billion earmarked for outstanding pensions and gratuities. He urged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to implement rigorous oversight measures to ensure the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.
Background
President Bola Tinubu had submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly in May, following the suspension of the state's House of Assembly. The initial proposed budget totaled N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors in the state.
The budget submission was made through a letter addressed to Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, outlining the administration's fiscal priorities for Rivers State in the coming year.
This budget approval comes amid the ongoing emergency rule in Rivers State, with the Senate taking on the legislative responsibilities typically handled by the state's assembly.
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