The Nigerian Senate has given its nod for the second reading of the 2025 budget proposal for Rivers State, totaling a staggering ₦1.48 trillion.
The budget was formally introduced on Wednesday by Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
In his presentation, Bamidele explained that the Senate had taken on legislative responsibilities for the state after declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers. This extraordinary measure transferred budgetary oversight and governance powers from the state legislature to the National Assembly.
Backing the motion, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan stressed the importance of swift passage of the budget to guarantee that the residents of Rivers State benefit from governmental operations during the emergency period.
He remarked, “Mr. President, I am not exactly sure under what title this document is categorised, but from what I can see, it pertains to a budget under the state of emergency. I hereby support its passage for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government.”
The budget sailed through without any resistance. Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote that resulted in unanimous support, subsequently referring the budget proposal to the Ad-hoc Committee on Overseeing the Rivers State of Emergency for further legislative scrutiny.
This development follows the Senate’s Tuesday announcement that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, alongside other senior state officials, is scheduled to appear before a Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee.
Their task will be to defend the details of the 2025 budget proposal and provide clarity on its projected impact and implementation under the unique conditions of emergency rule.
The approval marks a critical step in maintaining governmental functionality in Rivers State during a period marked by heightened federal intervention.
What you should know
The Nigerian Senate has approved a second reading of Rivers State’s ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget under emergency governance.
With legislative power assumed by the National Assembly, the budget now heads to a special Ad-hoc Committee for further evaluation, while the state’s Sole Administrator prepares to defend its provisions before lawmakers.
