Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the development as a “breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The signing ceremony was held at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the budget.
The budget, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was presented by the governor to the Assembly in July with a total estimate of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial figures.
Speaking shortly after assenting to the bill, Fubara expressed gratitude to God, members of the State House of Assembly and other stakeholders who contributed to the passage of the appropriation bill.
“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” he said.
The governor assured the people that his administration would remain focused on the progress and development of the state, stressing that the welfare of Rivers people would remain at the centre of the budget’s implementation.
“I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” Fubara said.
He commended the lawmakers for what he described as their diligence and speed in considering the budget at a critical period in the state’s history.
Fubara also pledged to maintain a cordial and cooperative relationship with the legislature and other stakeholders, describing the signing as the beginning of a healthier relationship between the two arms of government.
The governor specifically acknowledged the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the meeting and process that culminated in the passage and signing of the budget.
“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” he said.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Major Jack, presented the bill to the governor for assent, saying the lawmakers had scrutinised the estimates with the best interests of the state in mind.
“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state,” Jack said.
He described the passage of the appropriation bill as an exercise undertaken with a sense of responsibility towards the people of Rivers State.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, said the Assembly did not pass the budget exactly as presented by the governor, noting that lawmakers made adjustments to some provisions following their scrutiny of the estimates.
Amaewhule disclosed that the Assembly reviewed downward the proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a private institution where Rivers indigenes have been beneficiaries of state-sponsored scholarships.
According to him, part of the amount was reallocated to the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Development Board after the university management failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the utilisation of previous funds and did not send representatives to appear before the Assembly.
The Speaker said the adjustment was consistent with the legislature’s oversight responsibility and was intended to promote accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
Amaewhule nevertheless commended the governor for the provisions contained in the budget, saying they demonstrated the administration’s willingness to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” he said.
The signing ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, principal officers of the State House of Assembly and other government functionaries.
The enactment of the 2026 budget comes as the Fubara administration enters a new phase of its relationship with the State House of Assembly, with the governor pledging greater cooperation among the arms of government in pursuit of the state’s development.
