House of Reps Passes N1.48tr Rivers Budget, Slashes Security Votes by N35bn

The House of Representatives on Monday passed the N1.48 trillion appropriation bill for Rivers State’s 2025 fiscal year, marking a significant step toward restoring political normalcy in the state after months of legislative stalemate.

The bill’s approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State, led by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), during plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

In a major adjustment, lawmakers slashed N35 billion from controversial security-related allocations, including funds initially earmarked for CCTV installations, gunboats, and surveillance contracts. The committee also redirected over N30 billion to what it described as “priority development projects.”

Ihonvbere defended the revisions, stating that the adjustments were made to ensure more prudent and transparent use of state resources. The approved budget allocates N256.42 billion for personnel costs, N162.58 billion for overheads, and N1.06 trillion for capital expenditure.

During budget defense, the ad-hoc committee had raised concerns over certain proposed line items, including a N24 billion provision for CCTV installations at the Government House and N30 billion for gunboat acquisitions.

The development has been hailed by stakeholders and political observers in Rivers State as a potential turning point in the state’s ongoing political impasse. The approval comes as the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara nears its end, offering a path toward the resumption of full democratic governance.

Reacting to the development, former House of Representatives member and political analyst, Ogbonna Nwuke, described the budget’s passage as “a welcome development” and a crucial step toward redirecting the state’s attention to pressing development issues.

“With this approval, the friction between the executive and legislature has been considerably reduced. Returning Governor Fubara to office will help the state focus on governance rather than continuous political distractions,” Nwuke told journalists.

The 2025 budget is expected to run until December 31, 2025.