Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
PORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday presented a record ₦1.854 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, in a session that signalled a definitive end to the political crisis that has paralysed the legislature since 2023.
The presentation, the governor’s first before the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly since the fallout, unfolded with rare ceremonial pomp. Speaker Amaewhule, clad in full regalia, led proceedings before formally receiving the governor. The budget, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” outlines a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 figure, buoyed by projected higher receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and improved internally generated revenue.
Of the total estimates, ₦413.1 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while a substantial ₦1.405 trillion is allocated to capital projects. The infrastructure sector leads with ₦533.3 billion, followed by education (₦315 billion) and healthcare (₦105.4 billion). The Assembly and judiciary are allocated ₦41.4 billion and ₦30 billion respectively.
In a move aimed at boosting public sector morale, Governor Fubara announced a 50 per cent increase in overhead allocations for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside a commitment to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
“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,” the governor told lawmakers, urging them to approve what he described as a “people-centred blueprint” for accelerating development and attracting investment.
Receiving the bill, Speaker Amaewhule assured the governor of swift legislative action, stating, “Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State”.
The bill passed its first reading immediately, with the plenary adjourned to 20 July.
The day’s proceedings concluded with an exchange of warm pleasantries and a group photograph—a striking image of executive-legislative harmony that stands in stark contrast to the nearly three years of parallel sittings and rival budget presentations that have plagued the state.
