The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the Political Crisis in Rivers State has demanded a detailed breakdown of major allocations in the N1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill presented by the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).
The committee, chaired by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rivers administration to provide explanations for several contentious budgetary provisions, including N24 billion allocated for CCTV installations at the Government House.
Speaking during a budget defence session held on Monday in Abuja, Ihonvbere raised concerns over the absence of key financial documents, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which he noted is a legal prerequisite for any budget presentation.
“We have reviewed the proposed budget and discovered a number of questionable items,” Ihonvbere said.
“There is an allocation of N24 billion for CCTV at the Government House. We need a detailed breakdown of that.
“There’s also N30 billion for gunboats, and N23 billion as contingency reserves, each of these must be properly justified,” he added.
He further queried the use of state funds on ongoing federal projects without formal agreements or guarantees for refunds from the Federal Government.
The committee requested specific financial documents from the Rivers State government within 48 hours, including: The MTEF, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reports for the last three months, and details of transfers and financial management at the local government level.
“These documents must reach us within 48 hours. Rest assured, we are on the same side in ensuring Rivers works again.
“We want transparency and to safeguard the interests of every Rivers citizen, even in the remotest parts of the state,” Ihonvbere emphasized.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his role in restoring calm between the previously embattled executive and legislature in the state.
Responding on behalf of the sole administrator, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy, Andrew Nweke, said many of the items in the budget were inherited from the previous administration.
He explained that the budget was informed by a needs assessment conducted by implementing agencies and reflected the priorities of Rivers people.
“Rivers State has its peculiar security challenges, especially on its waterways. The N30 billion allocated for gunboats is meant to bolster the capacity of security agencies combating criminal activity in those areas,” Nweke explained.