From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to authorize the issuance of N1.48 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the 2025 fiscal year of Rivers State.
This followed President Bola Tinubu’s formal request to the National Assembly last week, citing the state of emergency imposed in the oil-rich state since March 18, 2025.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Authorize the Issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State the Total Sum of N 1.48 Trillion for the Year Ending December 31, 2025,” was presented by Senate Leader and Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
According to the bill (SB. 843), the breakdown of the appropriation includes:
N120.8 billion for debt servicing,
N287.4 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and
N1.07 trillion for capital expenditure.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West) commended the focus of the budget, noting that over 45% of the funds were allocated to infrastructural development.
He said the proposal reflected a determined effort to ensure continued governance and service delivery to the people of Rivers State despite the ongoing emergency rule.
Following extensive deliberations, the bill was adopted for second reading through a voice vote and subsequently referred to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State. Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the committee to report back within two weeks.
The Senate had earlier confirmed that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), and other key state officials will appear before the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee to defend the budget.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the committee, Senator Bamidele reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding democratic governance and the rule of law in Rivers State during the emergency period.
“The 2025 budget of Rivers State, as presented by the Sole Administrator through the Commander-in-Chief, has been referred to this committee. We have finalized our work plan and timetable to guide the budget defence sessions,” he said.
The 18-member committee includes prominent lawmakers such as Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno; Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi; Senator Adamu Aliero (Land Transport); Senator Sani Musa (Finance); Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Banking and Insurance); and Senator Oluranti Adebule (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction).
Bamidele assured Nigerians that the Senate would ensure that the people of Rivers State are not short changed during the emergency rule and urged committee members to be diligent in their oversight responsibilities.