Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the Martin Amaewhule-led legislature since the political crisis that divided the Assembly in 2023.
The budget presentation began with Speaker Martin Amaewhule taking his seat in full regalia before the governor’s arrival. Lawmakers approved a motion to receive Fubara before he formally laid the appropriation bill before the House.
Tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” the proposal is aimed at driving economic growth, expanding infrastructure, improving education and healthcare, and boosting social investment across the state.
Fubara disclosed that the ₦1.854 trillion budget represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the revised 2025 budget. He attributed the projected rise in revenue to improved earnings from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds and internally generated revenue.
The proposal allocates ₦413.1 billion for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is set aside for capital projects.
Major allocations include ₦533.3 billion for infrastructure and public works, ₦315 billion for education, ₦105.4 billion for healthcare, ₦41.4 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the judiciary and ₦19.3 billion for agriculture.
The governor also announced plans to raise overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent, while settling outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
Fubara said his administration has maintained fiscal discipline through prudent management of public resources, pledging to uphold transparency, accountability and responsible spending.
He said, “We will ensure every kobo is spent wisely to create jobs for our people. The collective interests of our people are most important to us as a government.”
Urging lawmakers to give the proposal speedy approval, the governor described the budget as a roadmap for accelerating development, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and improving the welfare of Rivers residents before handing the bill to Speaker Amaewhule.
