Fubara Signs N1.85trn 2026 Rivers Budget, Says It’s a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the state’s 2026 N1.85 trillion Appropriation Bill into law, describing the budget as a “breath of fresh air” and expressing optimism that it will usher in a new era of development and cooperation.

Fubara assented to the bill on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the appropriation bill.

The governor said the signing marked the beginning of what he described as a healthier relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, assuring the lawmakers of his administration’s commitment to cooperation in the interest of Rivers State.

He thanked God for making the occasion possible and expressed confidence that the implementation of the budget would advance development across the state.

Fubara also acknowledged the role played by former Rivers governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the meeting and developments that eventually led to the passage and signing of the 2026 budget.

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

He said the Assembly subjected the estimates to detailed scrutiny before approving them, adding that the exercise was undertaken with the intention of ensuring that the budget delivered meaningful growth and development to the state.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, disclosed that the lawmakers made adjustments to the proposal submitted by the governor before passing it.

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

According to him, part of the funds removed from the university allocation was redirected to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board.

The Speaker explained that the decision followed the failure of the university’s management to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the utilisation of previous funds and its failure to send representatives to appear before the Assembly.

He said the adjustment was in line with the legislature’s oversight responsibility and aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.

The 2026 appropriation, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was passed by the Assembly earlier on Thursday before being presented to the governor for assent.

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

The proposed figure represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial estimates.

With the governor’s assent, the 2026 budget is now expected to guide the state’s spending and development priorities for the new fiscal year.