Fubara Signs N1.85 Trillion Rivers 2026 Budget

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signed the N1.85 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law on Thursday.

Fubara described the budget as a “breath of fresh air”, expressing optimism that it would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation in Rivers State.

He spoke after signing the bill at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

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The governor said his administration remained committed to the state’s progress and development, while assuring the State House of Assembly of a cordial working relationship.

Fubara thanked God for making the occasion possible, describing the signing as the beginning of a healthy relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

He also acknowledged former Rivers Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for facilitating the meeting and developments that led to the passage and signing of the budget.

Presenting the bill for assent, Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, described it as an ambitious budget.

Jack said lawmakers subjected the estimates to thorough scrutiny to ensure the budget delivered growth and development for the state.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule said the Assembly did not pass the budget exactly as the governor presented it.

Amaewhule said lawmakers reviewed the proposed N6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, where Rivers indigenes receive government scholarships, downward.

He said part of the allocation was reassigned to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board after the university failed to satisfactorily explain how it used previous funds.

The Speaker added that the university also failed to send representatives to appear before the Assembly.

According to Amaewhule, the adjustment was part of the Assembly’s oversight responsibility to promote accountability and transparency in public spending.

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The Assembly passed the 2026 budget, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development”, earlier on Thursday.

Fubara had presented a fiscal estimate of N1,854,248,734,475.76 to the Assembly in July.

The estimate represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial figures.

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