By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, on Wednesday, appeared before an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives to defend the controversial N1.481 trillion 2025 budget recently approved for the state under emergency rule.
The budget, which was submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 22 and quickly passed for second reading, is being scrutinized by a 21-member committee tasked with overseeing the state’s affairs amidst the political crisis that led to the federal government’s intervention.
Addressing lawmakers at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Ibas disclosed that the proposal had been drawn up and submitted to the presidency in compliance with directives. He said the budget was designed to reflect the urgent developmental needs of the state under the current exceptional governance structure.
“This budget was conceived to stabilize Rivers State and channel investments into sectors that directly affect the well-being of the people,” Ibas told lawmakers. “Despite the limitations encountered particularly the reluctance of some suspended officials to release crucial financial information the budget still accommodates the most critical areas needing attention.”
According to him, infrastructure development topped the priority list with ₦324 billion, followed by ₦106 billion for the health sector, including a dedicated ₦5 billion earmarked for free malaria drugs to combat the disease. Education received ₦75.6 billion while the agricultural sector was allocated ₦31.4 billion.
Ibas noted that while governance under a state of emergency is not ideal, efforts were made to ensure that the proposed spending plan would deliver tangible results for citizens. “We are not just filling in the gaps of a collapsed political structure; we are also laying down a framework that brings relief, service delivery, and confidence to the people of Rivers State,” he said.
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, House Leader Professor Julius Ihonvbere, assured the Sole Administrator that the committee would ensure proper oversight to maintain transparency and accountability in the budget’s implementation.
“This committee was constituted not just to oversee but to protect the interest of the people of Rivers State,” Ihonvbere stated. “We will ensure every naira is accounted for and that this budget meets its intended purpose.”
The committee, inaugurated following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, comprises key lawmakers such as Rep. Ali Isa J.C. (Deputy Chairman), Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, and Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu among others.
The appearance by Ibas marks a crucial step in the federal legislature’s attempt to normalize governance in a state that has been embroiled in months of political infighting and institutional paralysis.