Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a ₦1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly
Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development”, Governor Fubara said the proposal was designed to sustain economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, improve human capital development and enhance social investments across the state.
The governor projected a total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget.
He attributed the expected growth to higher receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
According to the estimate,₦413.1 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is allocated to capital projects. This includes ₦533.3 billion for works and infrastructure, ₦315 billion for education, ₦105.4 billion for healthcare, ₦41.4 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the judiciary and ₦19.3 billion for agriculture, among other sectors.
The Governor also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 per cent and clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
He stated that his administration had maintained fiscal stability through prudent management of public funds, stressing that the government remained committed to accountability, transparency and responsible spending.
“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,” he said.
Gov Fubara urged lawmakers to join hands with his administration to deliver good governance and improve the lives of the people
“Let us join hands to make sure Rivers State continues to stand out in good governance,” the governor added, before formally handing the bill to Speaker Amaewhule.
Speaker Amaewhule who received the Bill assured the governor that the budget would be given due consideration
“Let me assure you on behalf of the members that we will give due consideration to your budget proposals,” he said.
He said that the Assembly was fully aware of its responsibility.
“Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State,” Amaewhule said, before concluding on a note of collective resolve.
“We are willing to do all that is needed as an assembly so our people can smile again.”
The 2026 Appropriations Bill subsequently passed its first reading.
Channels TV reports indicate that following the formal proceedings, Governor Fubara exchanged warm pleasantries with lawmakers before being accompanied out of the chambers by the Speaker and members of the House for a group photograph – a moment that projected a picture of executive-legislative harmony that has not always defined the relationship between both arms of government in Rivers State in recent years.
The plenary was thereafter adjourned to July 20.
The session opened with Speaker Martin Amaewhule walking into the chambers in full speaker regalia, ahead of the governor’s arrival. A motion to receive the governor was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, before Governor Fubara entered to formally present the bill.
Rivers : Fubara's N1.854 trillion 2026 Budget Passes First Reading At State House of Assembly
