FUBARA PRESENTS N1.854TRN 2026 BUDGET TO AMAEWHULE-LED RIVERS ASSEMBLY
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly since the political crisis that divided the legislature in 2023.
The plenary commenced with Speaker Martin Amaewhule taking his seat in full regalia ahead of the governor’s arrival. A motion to admit the governor into the chamber was moved by Majority Leader Major Jack and seconded by Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo before Fubara formally presented the budget proposal.
Presenting the estimates tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” Fubara said the proposal was designed to sustain economic growth, expand infrastructure, strengthen human capital development, and boost social investments across the state.
The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 24.49 percent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget.
He attributed the anticipated increase to improved receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
Of the proposed budget, ₦413.1 billion is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is earmarked for capital projects.
The capital allocation includes ₦533.3 billion for works and infrastructure, ₦315 billion for education, ₦105.4 billion for healthcare, ₦41.4 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the judiciary and ₦19.3 billion for agriculture, among other sectors.
Fubara also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) by at least 50 percent while clearing outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
He said his administration had maintained fiscal stability through prudent management of public funds, stressing its commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible spending.
“We will ensure every kobo is spent wisely to create jobs for our people. The collective interests of our people are most important to us as a government,” he said.
The governor urged lawmakers to approve the appropriation bill, describing it as a people-centered blueprint designed to accelerate development, attract investment, create jobs, and improve residents’ living standards.
“Let us join hands to make sure Rivers State continues to stand out in good governance,” the governor said before formally handing the budget proposal to Speaker Amaewhule.
‘Our State Has To Grow’
Receiving the bill, the Amaewhule subjected it to immediate scrutiny before addressing the governor directly on behalf of the house.
“Let me assure you on behalf of the members that we will give due consideration to your budget proposals,” he said.
He said that the Assembly was fully aware of its responsibility.
“Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck for the growth of Rivers State,” Amaewhule said, before concluding on a note of collective resolve.
“We are willing to do all that is needed as an assembly so our people can smile again.”
The 2026 Appropriations Bill subsequently passed its first reading.
Following the formal proceedings, Governor Fubara exchanged warm pleasantries with lawmakers before being accompanied out of the chambers by the Speaker and members of the House for a group photograph—a moment that projected a picture of executive-legislative harmony that has not always defined the relationship between both arms of government in Rivers State in recent years.
The plenary was thereafter adjourned to July 20.
The budget presentation signals a major turning point in the state’s political landscape, which comes after the reconciliation of the governor and lawmakers following nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget presentations.
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