Rivers State Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas yesterday relived the harrow experience he went through in proposing N1.48 trillion as 2025 Budget for the Southsouth state.

He alleged that some Rivers State government officials withheld critical information he needed for the preparation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

According to him, the withheld information on the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act by the suspended Governor Siminialaye Fubara.

Rear Admiral Ibas told members of the House Special Committee oversighting the emergency rule in Rivers State on the 2025 Budget that the available records on last year’s budget and its actual performance remained a source of concern.

He said that based on the provisions of Section 11, Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on River State 2025 Appropriation, the President asked for a new budget proposal for the state.

He said: “I subsequently submitted 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 largely compiled and transmitted the requested information on the proposed 2025 Budget.

“The proposed 2025 River State Budget aligns with the strategic objectives in the River State Development Plan 2017-2027.

“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,  a 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, official performance report shows total expenditure was 740.74 billion naira, which was N52.7 billion naira or 6.7 % less than the spending target which in my well-considered opinion, the expenditures are clearly understated.

The total revenue projected for the 2025 fiscal year is 1.4 trillion naira.

“As of May last month, total revenue inflows were N597.14 billion which is only about four per cent less than our projection. The total expenditure planned for 2025 is N1.48 trillion.

“The proposed 2025 budget was meticulously designed to account for unregularised expenditures already undertaken during the first quarter of the fiscal year by the suspended administration before the state of emergency declaration by President Bola Amhed 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.

“However, recognising the exigencies under the state 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 within 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 unallocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.

“With a record allocation of N324.51 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 naira counterpart fund  for the rural access to  access and agricultural markets and market  projects programs to unlock  about forty five billion to open up rural access to farms and markets, N10 billion for food security  and initiative aimed at catalyzing  and scaling up  of 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 States  University Teaching Hospital,  N50 billion for zonal hospitals upgrade,  and N5 billion Naira 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 economic empowerment and N3 billion for establishment of a huge resource center aimed at capacity building, innovation and enterprise development.

“Furthermore, the budget reflects a comprehensive people-oriented, people-centered approach to governance with targeted investments across housing, environmental protection, public administration, financial inclusion and security.

Chairman of the Committee Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who is also House Leader, restated the panel’s commitment to working with the administrator for the restoration of Rivers’ stability, peace, growth and development.

Ihonvbere said the state has always been a shining example of what is possible with good leadership, assuring that the committee will scrutinize the budget.

He spoke of the committee’s readiness to joining hands with the administrator to ensure that Rivers get back on track, saying in doing so, “the committee will not cut corners. We are going to do the job as we would normally do it for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That way we will be helping you, we will be helping ourselves, and we will be the country”.