The Nigerian Senate passed a bill for second reading, which seeks to authorize the issuance of N1.48 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Rivers State’s 2025 fiscal year.
This significant legislative action aims to provide the necessary financial backing for the state amid ongoing exceptional circumstances.
The bill’s passage followed a formal request by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly last week. The President cited the state of emergency declared in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, as the impetus for urgent financial authorization.
This state of emergency was declared to address security and governance challenges in the oil-rich state, requiring immediate fiscal support to maintain government operations and public service delivery.
The bill, officially titled “A Bill for an Act to Authorize the Issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State the Total Sum of N1.48 Trillion for the Year Ending December 31, 2025,” was presented by Senate Leader and Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
Senator Bamidele has been instrumental in overseeing legislative responses to the emergency, ensuring that all procedures are followed while addressing the state’s urgent needs.
According to the bill (SB. 843), the proposed appropriation is carefully broken down into three major components: N120.8 billion is allocated for debt servicing, ensuring the state can meet its outstanding financial obligations; N287.4 billion is designated for recurrent (non-debt) expenditures, covering the essential operational costs of governance; and the largest portion, N1.07 trillion, is earmarked for capital expenditure, focusing on infrastructural development and long-term investments critical to the state’s economic growth.
During the Senate debate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West) praised the budget’s strategic focus. He highlighted that more than 45% of the funds were dedicated to infrastructural development, signaling a strong commitment to rebuilding and improving the state’s physical and social infrastructure.
Senator Adeola emphasized that the budget reflected a determined effort to sustain governance and service delivery to Rivers State’s residents despite the restrictions and challenges posed by the ongoing emergency rule.
After extensive deliberations, the Senate adopted the bill for second reading through a voice vote, demonstrating broad legislative support. The bill was subsequently referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State for detailed scrutiny. Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the urgency of the matter by directing the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
In anticipation of the budget defense sessions, the Senate confirmed that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), along with other senior state officials, will appear before the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee. They are expected to provide detailed justifications for the budgetary allocations and address any concerns arising from the emergency context.
At the inaugural meeting of the Special Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Bamidele reiterated the Senate’s commitment to safeguarding democratic governance and upholding the rule of law in Rivers State during the emergency period.
He stated, “The 2025 budget of Rivers State, as presented by the Sole Administrator through the Commander-in-Chief, has been referred to this committee. We have finalized our work plan and timetable to guide the budget defense sessions.”
The 18-member committee is composed of prominent and experienced lawmakers, ensuring comprehensive oversight. Members include Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Munguno; Deputy Chief Whip Senator Peter Nwebonyi; Senator Adamu Aliero, responsible for Land Transport; Senator Sani Musa, overseeing Finance; Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, covering Banking and Insurance; and Senator Oluranti Adebule, handling Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Senator Bamidele assured Nigerians that the Senate will remain vigilant to ensure that the people of Rivers State are not shortchanged during this period of emergency rule.
He called on committee members to exercise utmost diligence, transparency, and accountability in their oversight functions, reinforcing the legislature’s dedication to responsible governance during this critical time.