The Senate has passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, totaling ₦1.485 trillion, following the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor today.

The passage came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

The bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

The approved budget breakdown includes ₦120.8 billion for debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and ₦1.077 trillion for capital expenditure.

While supporting the passage of the bill, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

He urged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to conduct more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

The Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

In May, President Bola Tinubu submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, following the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals ₦1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

Tinubu also wrote to the House Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

After months of political squabbles between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly members who are loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025.

Tinubu instead appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for the first six months.