Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), Sole Administrator of Rivers State, says the proposed ₦1.48tn 2025 budget anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other officials.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), says the proposed ₦1.48tn 2025 budget anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.
Ibas disclosed this in Abuja while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.
“In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors,” he said.
He accused some officials of withholding critical data needed to complete the estimates. “Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures,” Ibas added.
He said the budget aligns with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027), targeting infrastructure, human capital, and economic growth. Major allocations include ₦324.5bn for infrastructure and ₦117bn for pensions.
Committee chairman Prof Julius Ihonvbere praised Ibas’ presentation and pledged thorough scrutiny of the proposal to ensure transparency and development.