Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a ₦1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, marking his first appearance before Speaker Martin Amaewhule since the legislative crisis that fractured the Assembly in 2023.
The budget, tagged “Resilience for Growth and Development”, allocates ₦413.1 billion to recurrent expenditure and ₦1.405 trillion to capital projects, including ₦533.3 billion for infrastructure, ₦315 billion for education, and ₦105.4 billion for healthcare.
Governor Fubara projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion for the fiscal year, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget, driven by higher Federation Account Allocation Committee receipts, derivation funds, and internally generated revenue.
“We will ensure every kobo is spent wisely to create jobs for our people,” the governor told lawmakers, urging them to approve what he described as a people-centred blueprint for accelerating development and improving living standards.
Speaker Amaewhule assured the governor of swift consideration, stating: “Our state has to grow, and all hands have to be on deck.”
The bill passed its first reading, with proceedings adjourned to July 20. The presentation signals a significant political rapprochement following nearly three years of parallel legislative sittings and rival budget proposals.
