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 legislature led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule since the political crisis that divided the Assembly in 2023.
The budget presentation, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” signals a new phase in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government following months of political tension and separate legislative activities.
Governor Fubara said the proposed budget was designed to sustain economic growth, expand infrastructure, improve human capital development and strengthen social investment programmes across the state.
The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 24.49 per cent increase compared to the adjusted 2025 budget.
He attributed the expected increase to improved revenue inflows from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds and internally generated revenue.
According to the governor, ₦413.1 billion of the proposed budget will go to recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion has been allocated for capital projects.
The capital spending plan includes:
- ₦533.3 billion for works and infrastructure development
- ₦315 billion for education
- ₦105.4 billion for healthcare
- ₦41.4 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly
- ₦30 billion for the judiciary
- ₦19.3 billion for agriculture
Governor Fubara also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent.
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He further pledged to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants, while assuring residents that his administration would continue prioritising accountability and prudent financial management.
“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,” the governor said.
Presenting the bill, Fubara urged lawmakers to support the proposal, describing it as a people-focused plan aimed at attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and improving living standards across Rivers State.
Receiving the budget, Speaker Martin Amaewhule assured the governor that the Assembly would carefully consider the proposals.
“Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State,” Amaewhule said.
He added that lawmakers were committed to taking necessary steps to ensure residents benefit from government programmes and policies.
The 2026 Appropriation Bill subsequently passed its first reading.
The event ended with Governor Fubara, the Speaker and members of the Assembly exchanging pleasantries and taking a group photograph, presenting a renewed image of cooperation between both arms of government.
The budget presentation comes after reconciliation efforts between the governor and lawmakers following nearly three years of political disagreements and competing legislative activities in Rivers State.
