Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has hinted on the return of suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
He gave the indication when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on Rivers oversight on Wednesday.
Ibas disclosed that the proposed N1.48 trillion 2025 budget includes provisions for the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other suspended political officeholders.
He added that the budget aligns with the state’s 2017–2027 development plan.
According to him, the budget is a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues and accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.
“In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period,” he said.
The retired Naval Chief expressed worry over the lack of cooperation from some state officials, whom he alleged are withholding essential data needed to prepare the budget.
“Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates,” he said.
The Sole Administrator further noted that despite the gaps, first-quarter expenditure data was incorporated to maintain fiscal discipline.
The N1.48 trillion budget, with a projected revenue of N1.4 trillion, was forwarded to the National Assembly after receiving presidential approval, following a supreme court ruling affirming its legality.
Ibas highlighted key allocations, including N324.5 billion for infrastructure and transportation, N55 billion for relocating and expanding the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and N50 billion for zonal hospital upgrades.
According to him, N38.85 billion was earmarked for shoreline protection and erosion control.
He maintained that N30 billion was allocated to zonal secondary schools, N5.75 billion for primary school rehabilitation, N2.5 billion for women’s economic empowerment, and N3 billion for youth resource centres.
Ibas further revealed that N20 billion was provided to recapitalise the state’s microfinance bank, while N117 billion was allocated to pensions and employee benefits.