Fubara Signs N1.85tn Rivers 2026 Budget

PORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the state’s N1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the legislation as a “breath of fresh air” and a new beginning for development and cooperation in the state.

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

The budget, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was presented by Fubara to the Assembly in July with a total estimate of N1,854,248,734,475.76, representing a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial figures.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Fubara expressed optimism that the budget would usher in a new phase of progress and unity in Rivers State.

He thanked the Assembly for what he described as its diligent handling of the appropriation bill and assured the lawmakers of a cordial and cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Fubara also acknowledged the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the meeting and process that culminated in the passage and signing of the budget.

Presenting the bill to the governor for assent, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Major Jack, described it as an ambitious budget and expressed the lawmakers’ expectation that its implementation would promote growth and development across the state.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said the legislature had exercised its oversight responsibility by reviewing the proposal, including reducing the proposed N6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences and reassigning part of the funds to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board after the institution failed to satisfactorily explain the utilisation of previous funds and did not appear before the Assembly.