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Works, education, and health get largest shares as capital vote hits ₦1.4trn
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The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed a ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year, tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
The passage followed detailed consideration, committee reviews, and legislative scrutiny of the proposals presented earlier by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on July 10, 2026.
With this approval, the 2026 budget represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the state’s adjusted 2025 budget, setting the legislative framework for government projects, social programmes, and service delivery next year.
A breakdown shows that ₦1.405 trillion, representing about 75.8 per cent of the total budget, was earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦413.1 billion was allocated for recurrent expenditure.
Lawmakers noted that the emphasis on capital spending reflects the government’s priority to deliver infrastructure and stimulate economic activity across the state.
Works and Infrastructure received the largest single allocation of ₦533.32 billion. Education followed with ₦315 billion, while Healthcare was allocated ₦105.43 billion.
Other key provisions include ₦41.44 billion for the State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the Judiciary, and ₦19.26 billion for Agriculture.
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The budget also made provisions for power, sports, youth development, women’s affairs, environmental protection, and social development.
The Appropriation Bill scaled its second reading on September 1, after which relevant House committees carried out further examination prior to its final passage.
The Speaker of the House said the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” is designed to strengthen infrastructure, improve public services, develop human capital, and drive inclusive growth in Rivers State.
“The passage brings to a close the legislative phase of consideration of the 2026 appropriation, moving the state closer to full implementation of its financial and development plans for the year,” a statement from the Assembly noted.
With ₦1.854 trillion now approved, attention shifts to the Executive for the implementation of capital projects and programmes contained in the budget.
The increased capital component is expected to fund road construction, school rehabilitation, hospital upgrades, agricultural support, and other projects aimed at improving living standards.
The “Budget of Resilience” is the second full-year budget of the Fubara administration, coming amid calls for prudent management to ensure that approved funds translate into tangible projects for the people of Rivers State.
