KEY POINTS

• Rivers will defend its N1.48 trillion 2025 project for emergency rule before the National Assembly.
• The president delivered the budget as the emergency constitution allows.
  Chairman of the Committee Senator Opeyemi Bamidele reaffirms the House of
• Representatives’ determination to ensure spending is correct and clear.

Rivers sole administrator Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and other top officials will defend the state’s proposed 2025 budget of N1.48 trillion before a panel specializing in overseeing emergency rule in Rivers State.

During the first session for the committee at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, told the gathering this.

The Senate promised that the emergency rule, issued by President Tinubu over Rivers State on March 18, would not disrupt government or stop the people from having proper legislative oversight.

Tinubu introduced the emergency budget

President Tinubu had handed the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill to both chambers of the National Assembly and asked for approval of N1.48 trillion under the emergency governance rules.

According to a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the funds will go to education, agriculture, healthcare including giving away free drugs and key sectors.

The request agrees with the rules in the constitution that let the National Assembly pass legislation for any state under emergency when the House of Assembly is not active.

A clear role in policing anti-money laundering laws

At that meeting, Senator Bamidele pointed out that it is up to the joint committee, who are part of both the Senate and House of Representatives, to guarantee that the state government remains both accountable and steadfast in its actions.

We and colleagues in the House of Representatives agreed that the Sole Administrator and all other relevant officials will be present before the joint committee to explain the 2025 budget.

He said that the committee had finished planning the process and timeline which requires a detailed budget defence session with leading finance officials.

Bamidele pointed out that during emergency rule in Rivers State, it was important to keep governance standards and he mentioned the National Assembly’s job to ensure democracy and the rule of law were upheld.

High-level participation for the Rivers sole administrator

Senior lawmakers, including several, were present at the committee’s first session.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Munguno, The Republican caucus’ Deputy Chief Whip is Deputy Senator Peter Nwebonyi. Adamu Aliero, who is Chair of the Senate Land Transport Committee, Senator Sani Musa heads the Senate Committee on Finance.
Senator Adetokunbo Abiru chairs the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions. Ms. Oluranti Adebule is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction

He urged the committee members to heed their responsibilities and work conscientiously to prevent Rivers residents from experiencing disadvantage. The people’s rights and welfare should not be affected by the emergency rule. The committee’s main responsibility is to keep the democratic system in place under all challenging conditions, Waguih concluded.