Fubara Signs 2026 Rivers Budget, Calls It ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

PORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the budget as a “breath of fresh air” capable of opening a new chapter of development and cooperation in Rivers State.

The governor signed the bill on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers inside the Government House in Port Harcourt, shortly after it was passed by the State House of Assembly.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Fubara said his administration would continue to prioritise the progress and development of Rivers State.

He also assured the lawmakers of a cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

According to the governor, the occasion marked the beginning of a healthier relationship between both arms of government.

Fubara expressed gratitude to God for making the development possible and acknowledged the contribution of former Rivers governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, toward facilitating the meeting and events that eventually led to the passage and signing of the budget.

Earlier, the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, presented the bill to the governor for assent.

Jack described the 2026 appropriation as an ambitious budget, saying lawmakers had carefully scrutinised the estimates to ensure they would promote meaningful growth and development across the state.

However, Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule revealed that lawmakers made changes to the proposal before passing it.

Amaewhule said the Assembly reduced the N6 billion proposed allocation for PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a private institution where Rivers indigenes have benefited from government scholarships since the previous administration.

He explained that part of the money was redirected to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board because the university management failed to satisfactorily account for the proposed allocation.

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

Amaewhule said the adjustment was consistent with the Assembly’s oversight role and was aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.

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

The budget was based on a fiscal proposal of N1,854,248,734,475.76 presented by Governor Fubara in July.

The estimate is 24.5 per cent higher than the state’s revised 2025 financial figures.

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