Posted by Chinenye on Wed 02nd Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Rivers State lawmakers have broken the silence surrounding the state’s delayed record budget, pushing it to the next stage after weeks of uncertainty.
(Sir Siminalayi Fubara laying the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the Rivers State House of Assembly in July. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Rivers State lawmakers have finally moved forward with passing the state's budget after more than a month of delay.
The House gave the N1.8 trillion budget its second reading on Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to becoming law.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the budget in early July, but it sat idle until this week.
The House leader called for a vote and members debated the document on the floor.
Lawmakers described it as an ambitious budget, the highest the state has ever proposed.
During the debate, House members urged their colleagues to examine how the money will be spent to make sure it goes to the right places.
They also called for quick passage so the state can start using the funds.
The Speaker, who oversees the House, said they need to investigate non-governmental organisations and other institutions that have received government money and support to ensure accountability.
He ordered various House committees to invite government agencies for budget defence sessions where officials explain how they plan to spend their allocations.
The budget, titled "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development," will now go through detailed legislative scrutiny.
The House adjourned after the second reading and will reconvene on September 3.
Officials say with proper legislative review, the budget should spur rapid development across the state.