…prioritises infrastructure, education
… allocates N40 billion to Assembly projects
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday presented a proposed budget of N1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic growth.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” before lawmakers, Fubara said the proposal was designed to build an economically resilient, thriving and prosperous Rivers State through prudent management of public resources.
The governor stated that despite recent challenges, his administration had sustained governance and recorded significant progress in road infrastructure, human capital development and security.
According to him, the state’s fiscal stability has been maintained through fiscal responsibility, prudence and accountability.
“We do not tolerate mismanagement at any level and have wisely utilised public funds to provide services, attract investment, create jobs and offer socio-economic opportunities for our people,” Fubara said.
He disclosed that the proposed N1.854 trillion budget represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the 2025 adjusted budget projections, attributing the expected growth to improved Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts, derivation funds and internally generated revenue.
The revenue projection comprises N487.61 billion from internally generated revenue, N936.05 billion from FAAC allocations, derivation, value-added tax and exchange gains, N48.11 billion from opening and closing balances, and N382.48 billion from capital receipts, including loans, grants and asset sales.
For recurrent expenditure, the governor proposed N413.11 billion, covering personnel costs, pensions, gratuities, overheads, loan servicing and other statutory obligations.
Fubara announced a proposed 50 per cent increase in overhead allocations for ministries, departments and agencies to enhance their operational efficiency once the budget is approved.
He also pledged to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants, saying adequate provisions had been made to settle the backlog inherited from previous administrations.
The capital expenditure component stands at N1.405 trillion, with the largest allocations going to works and infrastructure, education, healthcare, the legislature and judiciary.
Infrastructure received the highest allocation of N533.32 billion, followed by N315 billion for educational development and N105.43 billion for healthcare delivery.
Other allocations include N41.44 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, N30 billion for the judiciary, N19.26 billion for agriculture, N15 billion for power, N8.5 billion for chieftaincy and community development, N7.98 billion for sports, N7 billion for youth development, N6.5 billion for women affairs and N6.61 billion for environment and sustainable development.
The governor said the budget would focus on economic growth, human capital development, socio-economic infrastructure and social investments while ensuring inclusive development across the state.
He described the appropriation bill as a people-centred blueprint that would deliver tangible benefits to every ward and local government area in Rivers State.
At the heart of the budget, he noted, is the commitment to completing ongoing road projects, constructing new infrastructure and maintaining existing roads and bridges.
Fubara also said his administration had made an unprecedented investment in education aimed at transforming the state’s education system and improving learning outcomes.
Acknowledging the delay in presenting the budget, the governor assured the Assembly that implementation would be driven by transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources.
He called on members of the House, irrespective of political affiliation, to support and pass the appropriation bill, stressing that the collective interest of Rivers State should remain paramount.
