By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signed the Rivers State 2026 budget into law, describing it as “a breath of fresh air.”
Fubara signed the budget on Thursday, September 3, at a brief ceremony held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, following the budget’s passage by the State House of Assembly, nearly two months after the N1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Act was presented to it.
The governor said the signing of the budget was the beginning of a new chapter of unity and progress for the state.
He expressed gratitude to God, stakeholders, and the State House of Assembly for the successful passage of the budget.
“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.
Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Rivers First” mantra and pledged that the 2026 budget would be implemented with the people’s welfare as the central focus.
“I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” he said.
The governor further pledged to ensure a cordial working relationship with all arms of government and stakeholders going forward.
“Let me thank everyone for this moment and assure you of our most cordial and cooperative relationship going forward,” Governor Fubara said.
The Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Major Jack, who had earlier presented the bill to the governor for his assent, said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best of intentions, believing that it would be implemented accordingly for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.
“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.
“It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that I respectfully present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No. 1 2026 to the Governor of Rivers State for his assent,” Jack said.
In a remark shortly after the budget had been signed, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, commended Governor Fubara for the various provisions made in the budget, describing them as indications that the Fubara administration was prepared to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
“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,” Amaewhule said.
Recall that Fubara presented the appropriation bill to the Assembly for consideration and approval on July 10, 2026.
The passage of the budget during plenary followed deliberations by the Committee on Appropriations, which recommended key adjustments before the bill’s final passage.
According to the breakdown presented by the committee, the budget will be funded through Internally Generated Revenue of N487.6 billion, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts of N936.052 billion, an opening and closing balance of N48 billion, proposed internal loans of N50 billion, and proceeds from the sale of assets amounting to N25 billion.
Sectoral allocations under the budget include N262 billion for agriculture, N625.8 billion for the economic sector, N65 billion for law and justice, and N435.4 billion for the social sector.
Total capital expenditure of N1.4 trillion was recommended for approval as part of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The most contentious issue during the deliberations centred on the N6 billion allocation earmarked for Pamo University of Medical Sciences, a privately owned institution founded by former governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili.
Members of the committee questioned whether the sum was excessive, particularly given the lack of clarity on how the funds would be utilised by the university and the subsequent request from the Commissioner for Education to increase the institution’s allocation from N6 billion to N8 billion, describing the initial sum as inadequate.
The House subsequently voted to pass the N1.84 trillion budget into law, with the recommended adjustments incorporated into the final Appropriation Bill.
