Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, since the political crisis that split the legislature in 2023.
The session opened with Amaewhule walking into the chambers in full speaker regalia ahead of the governor’s arrival. A motion to receive the governor was moved by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Sylvanus Nwankwo, before Governor Fubara entered to formally present the bill.
Presenting the estimates tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development”, Governor Fubara said the proposal was designed to sustain economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, improve human capital development and enhance social investments across the state.
The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget.
He attributed the expected growth to higher receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
Of the proposed budget, ₦413.1 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is allocated to capital projects.
The capital allocation includes ₦533.3 billion for works and infrastructure, ₦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, among other sectors.
Governor Fubara also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent and clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
He said his administration had maintained fiscal stability through prudent management of public funds, stressing that the government remained committed to accountability, transparency and responsible spending.
“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,” he said.
The governor urged lawmakers to approve the budget, describing it as a people-centred blueprint aimed at accelerating development, attracting investment, creating jobs and improving the living standards of residents across the coastal state.
“Let us join hands to make sure Rivers State continues to stand out in good governance,” the governor added, before formally handing the bill to Speaker Amaewhule.
‘Our State Has To Grow’
Receiving the bill, the Amaewhule subjected it to immediate scrutiny before addressing the governor directly on behalf of the House.
“Let me assure you on behalf of the members that we will give due consideration to your budget proposals,” he said.
He said that the Assembly was fully aware of its responsibility.
“Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State,” Amaewhule said, before concluding on a note of collective resolve.
“We are willing to do all that is needed as an assembly so our people can smile again.”
The 2026 Appropriations Bill subsequently passed its first reading.
Following the formal proceedings, Governor Fubara exchanged warm pleasantries with lawmakers before being accompanied out of the chambers by the Speaker and members of the House for a group photograph – a moment that projected a picture of executive-legislative harmony that has not always defined the relationship between both arms of government in Rivers State in recent years.
The plenary was thereafter adjourned to July 20.
The budget presentation signals a major turning point in the state’s political landscape, which comes after the reconciliation of the governor and lawmakers following nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget presentations.
