Rivers Governor Fubara Presents ₦1.854 Trillion 2026 Budget, Signals End to Political Crisis
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the lawmakers since the 2023 political crisis that fractured the legislature.
The budget presentation, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” represents a significant milestone in the state’s political reconciliation. It comes after nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget processes between factions loyal to the governor and his predecessor.
Presenting the estimates before the Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Governor Fubara said the budget is designed to sustain economic growth, strengthen infrastructure, enhance human capital development, and boost social investments across the state.
The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for 2026, a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget. He attributed the anticipated rise to improved receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
According to the proposal, recurrent expenditure is pegged at ₦413.1 billion, while capital projects will receive a substantial ₦1.405 trillion.
Key capital allocations include:
- ₦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
- ₦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 and to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits for retired civil servants.
The governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to fiscal prudence. “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.
He urged the lawmakers to give speedy approval to the bill, describing it as a “people-centred blueprint” aimed at accelerating development, attracting investment, creating jobs, and improving living standards in the state.
“Let us join hands to make sure Rivers State continues to stand out in good governance,” Fubara added before formally presenting the bill to the Speaker.
In his response, Speaker Martin Amaewhule assured the governor that the Assembly would give the proposals due consideration. “Let me assure you on behalf of the members that we will give due consideration to your budget proposals,” he said.
Amaewhule added: “Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State... We are willing to do all that is needed as an assembly so our people can smile again.”
The 2026 Appropriation Bill passed its first reading shortly after presentation.
The session, which opened with the Speaker entering the chambers in full regalia, saw a motion to receive the governor moved by Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack and seconded by Minority Leader Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo.
Following the proceedings, Governor Fubara exchanged pleasantries with lawmakers and posed for a group photograph with the Speaker and members of the House — a symbolic moment of executive-legislative harmony not seen in recent years in Rivers State.
The plenary was subsequently adjourned to July 20.
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