By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday June 19, 2025, vowed to put all necessary machineries in place to ensure that every kobo in the 2025 appropriation bill for Rivers state is judiciously spent and accounted for.
This is just as hr once again justified the emergency rule in the state as a necessary mitigating measure against the possible breakdown of law and order in the oil rich State.
At the budget defence session, the chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc committee on the Emergency rule in Rivers State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele noted that Senate will track the implementation of the state’s N 1.48 trillion budget with a view to ensuring that the intended benefits trickle down to the people of the State.
The Source reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had penultimate week formally presented the budget estimate to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
The National Assembly, after the March 18 ,2025 emergency rule declaration in Rivers state ,and the subsequent appointment of a Sole Administrator after suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara ,his deputy and the state law makers ,is constitutionally mandated to make laws for the good governance of the state pending the restoration of democratic order.
“This is not just a boutique 999reviewing figures on paper .We are mandated by the Nigerian people to ensure that allocated funds are used effectively – project by project ,sector by sector, so that the people of Rivers state feel the impact of governance, especially these exceptional circumstances .
“We will be assessing not just the disbursement, but also timelines, delivery benchmarks, and outcomes.
“The goal is simple: ensure that the 2025 budget translates into better roads ,improved healthcare ,quality education ,security ,and livelihood for the people of Rivers state”, Opeyemi charged.
Senator Opeyemi ,who is also the Senate Majority Leader ,explained that contrary to the belief in some quarters, the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state was borne out of the sincere desire by the Federal Government to ensure peace and stability,amidst some serious disagreements among the organs of democratic governance in the state.
According to him, much as as the declaration falls in line with extant laws of the country, it is nevertheless not a veritable alternative to constitutional order.
The Senate leader assured that democratic order will be restored as soon as the enabling environment is put in place .
The Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, during the budget defence, expressed deep concern over the scanty records on the 2024 fiscal appropriation.
He lamented that limited documents on the implementation of the 2024 budget has the great potentials to negatively impact the execution of the 2025 budget .
This is as he decried the uncooperative attitude of most of Government officials in volunteering critical information and data that will aid effective budget planning and execution.
Ibas expressed regret that the sabotaging activities of officials have tended to complicate efforts at putting in place the necessary measures for the restoration of democratic governance .
“The limited availability of budgetary records and performance data from 2024 has made it difficult to build a comprehensive framework for 2025 .
“We are operating under severe constraints due to the opaqueness of the previous administration”, Ibas stated
The House of Representatives which had earlier, last week, grilled the Rivers Sole Administrator, is expected to harmonize issues with the Senator in the days ahead ,before the final passage of the appropriation bill.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
