Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a proposed ₦1.854 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year 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.
Presenting the proposal, tagged the "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development," Fubara said the budget is designed to sustain economic growth, expand infrastructure, strengthen education and healthcare, and improve social investments across the state.
The governor projected total revenue of ₦1.854 trillion, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget, attributing the expected growth to higher Federation Account allocations, derivation funds and internally generated revenue.
Of the proposed budget, ₦413.1 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.405 trillion is allocated to capital projects, including ₦533.3 billion for 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.
Fubara also announced plans to increase overhead allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies by at least 50 per cent and clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits owed to retired civil servants.
Receiving the proposal, Speaker Martin Amaewhule assured the governor that lawmakers would give the appropriation bill due consideration, saying the Assembly remains committed to supporting the state's development.
The budget passed its first reading and the House adjourned plenary to July 20.
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