The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has disclosed that the proposed N1.48 trillion budget for 2025 includes provisions for the anticipated return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political office holders.
Ibas made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.
He explained that the proposed budget aligns with the strategic objectives outlined in the Rivers State Development Plan 2017–2027, aiming to raise revenues, 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,” Ibas stated.
He, however, lamented challenges in accessing complete financial data, accusing officials of the suspended state administration of withholding vital information necessary for comprehensive budget planning.
It will be recalled that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and other state officials for a period of six months amid a deepening political crisis.
The 2025 budget proposal is currently under legislative review as the emergency administration continues to manage state affairs pending the return to full constitutional governance.
