Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signed the much-anticipated 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.
The exercise took place on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Gov Fubara who described the budget as” a breath of fresh air” expressed optimism that the budget would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation in the state.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State, while assuring the State Assembly of a cordial and cooperative relationship going forward.
The governor also acknowledged the role of the former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the meeting and the progress that culminated in the passage and signing of the budget.
Presenting the budget to the governor for assent, the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, described the appropriation bill as an ambitious budget.
Jack said the Rivers Assembly had subjected the estimates to thorough scrutiny, with the best of intentions, in the expectation that the budget would deliver the desired growth and development for the state.
Addressing the Assembly ,Speaker of Martin Amaewhule, disclosed that the budget figure was not passed exactly as presented by the Governor, following the lawmakers’ decision to review downward the proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a private university where Rivers indigenes have been receiving scholarships from the state government since the previous administration.
Amaewhule said the allocation was reduced, with part of the funds reassigned to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, after the management of the institution failed to provide satisfactory explanations on the utilisation of the funds and also failed to send representatives to appear before the Assembly.
The Speaker said the Assembly’s action was part of its oversight responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
Gov Fubara had, in July, presented the N1,854,248,734,475.76 budget tagged Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development ” to the state assembly .The estimate represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial figures.
After assenting to the budget on Thursday, the governor took to his X handle to further state his experience and priority.
“Today, I signed the ₦1.84 trillion Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill into Law, marking a new chapter of cooperation, unity and progress.
“I thank Almighty God, the minister of F.C.T; Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike GSSRS, the Rivers State House of Assembly and all Rivers people for their commitment to this process.
“Our focus remains firmly on the welfare of our people and the continued development of Rivers State”.
