The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas Rtd, has defended the state’s 2025 budget appropriation.
He proposed the sum of one point four trillion naira for 2025.
He said that the budget reflects people oriented approach to governance.
“The budget presents a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues and accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.
We are optimistic that implementing the 2025 budget proposal will deliver great socioeconomic benefits for the people of River State. While the records available to me on the 2024 budget and its actual performance remain a source of concern, the quick review of the official records for the 2024 budget shows that the total revenue of the River State Government was N1.04 trillion, compared to a target of N800.39 billion.
This represents N250 billion, or 31.6% above the budget target. On the expenditure side, the official performance report shows the total expenditure was N740.74 billion, which was N52.7 billion, or 6.7% less than the spending target. It is my well-considered opinion that the expenditures are clearly understated.
The total revenue projected for the 2025 fiscal year is N1.4 trillion. As of May 2025, total revenue inflows were N597.14 billion, which is only about 4% less than our projection. The total expenditure planned for 2025 is #1.48 trillion.
The proposed 2025 budget was particularly designed to account for unregularized expenditures already undertaken during the first quarter of the fiscal year by the suspended administration, before the state of emergency declaration by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates”. Ibas said.
Mr. Ibas said that some members of the suspended administration withheld information expenditures of the 2024 budget.
“Following the declaration of the state of emergency in River State by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, first one to section 11, subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and pronouncement of the Supreme Court’s on River State’s 2025 appropriation, I was directed by Mr. President to develop a budget proposal for River State.
I subsequently submitted the proposal to Mr. President, which he graciously transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration. Furthermore, we received a correspondence from this distinguished committee requesting for more information on the budget proposal.I am pleased to inform the committee that we have likely compiled and transmitted the requested information on the proposed 2025 budget.
Like the Chairman said, I believe we all have the copies, and in order to save time, I think I will just take on the summary of what was submitted. The proposed 2025 River State Government Budget aligns with the strategic objectives in the River State Development Plan 2017-2027,” he said.
He extended his sincere appreciation to the committee for their commitment to the fulfillment of constitutional mandate.
‘I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chairman and the Honourable Members for your dedication to fulfilling your constitutional mandate, particularly in the light of the very tight schedules of the distinguished members of this committee. We in River State are most grateful for your dedication and commitment,” he said.
The Sole Administrator also said that recognising the exigencies under the state of emergency and the need to ensure fiscal credibility, the budget framework integrates expenditure information made available before the submission of the budget proposal to ratify the first quarter expenditures in a lawful and transparent structure.
“This ensures alignment with statutory appropriation protocols while safeguarding the integrity of public finance management.Additionally, in anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.
With a record allocation of N324.5 billion to critical infrastructure, the administration is prioritizing completing high-impact roads, bridges, and transport networks to improve connectivity, facilitate commerce, and stimulate economic activities across rural and urban areas.
This also includes N38.85 billion allocated for shoreline protection, land reclamation, and erosion control, supporting long-term environmental resilience and disaster mitigation efforts.In the agricultural sector, the budget aligns with Nigeria’s broader food security goals.
Through a N4.5 billion counterpart fund for the Rural Access and Agricultural Market Projects Program to unlock about N45 billion to open up rural access to farms and markets, $10 billion for food security, an initiative aimed at catalyzing and scaling up local production in rice, cassava, oil palm, maize, poultry, and coconut.
There is also a provision of N3.5 billion for investment in agricultural mechanization to boost food production.These interventions are projected to generate over 16,000 direct and indirect jobs within two years, if sustained. Health sector investments are equally substantial, including N55 billion for the relocation and expansion of the River State University Teaching Hospital, N50 billion for Zonal Hospitals Upgrade, and N5 billion for Drug Revolving Fund to strengthen essential medicine supply systems.
The education sector receives targeted investments of N30 billion for Zonal Secondary Schools and N5.75 billion for Primary Schools Rehabilitation, alongside initiatives for inclusive education.The budget also demonstrates a strong commitment to gender equity and youth development, with N2.5 billion dedicated to women’s economic empowerment and N3 billion for establishment of a youth resource center aimed at capacity building, innovation, and enterprise development.
” This budget reflects a comprehensive people-centered approach to governance, with targeted investments across housing, environmental protection, public administration, financial inclusion, and security.
The State has amassed N25 billion for interventions in housing schemes to expand access to homes for middle-income families, alongside the rehabilitation of state-owned estates to address urban congestion, improve living conditions, and further stimulate the construction sector, with its attendant impact on job creation.
Environmental resilience is a top priority, with significant provisions for food mitigation and waterway rehabilitation. These interventions, if implemented, will reduce displacement in riverine communities and safeguard vital ecosystems amid rising climate risk.
In public administration, the budget commits over N117 billion to pensions, gratuities, and employee benefits, marking a decisive shift towards restoring dignity and welfare in the civil service.
This includes a N50 billion provision to begin to address the longstanding issues around pensions and gratuity arrears owed to retirees in river states. Notably, the implementation of the Employee Compensation Act and a new group life insurance scheme reflect global-based practices in labor protection.
The State also plans to inject N20 billion into the recapitalisation of the River State Microfinance Bank, aimed at empowering micro, small, medium, and enterprises, and underserved populations with improved access to affordable credits.
This measure supports inclusive economic growth and grassroot development. God willing, every river citizen with a great idea, carefully thought out, and well-planned will find the funding required to turn their dreams into successful ventures, irrespective of tribe, ethnic, or political divide. Across all provisions, the budget reinforces Mr. President’s directive to deliver on river state development priorities, sustain critical government functions, and ensure the continuity of programs that directly impact the lives and livelihoods of the people of River State,” he added.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, Mr. Julius Ihonvbere said that the committee will scrutinise the budget and re invite officials to come and give explanations when needed.
“This committee is committed to working with you to restoring stability, peace, growth and development in Rivers state,” Mr Ihonvbere said.
He commended the Sole Administrator for doing an excellent job catering for women and Pensioners in the proposal.