President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proposed the sum of N1.48tn as the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the Senate for consideration and approval.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letter of request during Thursday’s plenary.
In the letter, Tinubu explained that the proposed budget includes N324 billion for infrastructure development, N166 billion for health, N75.6 billion for education, N31.4 billion for agriculture, and N5 billion for the free distribution of drugs across all categories of people in the state.
He also noted that the budget prioritises the creation of 6,000 jobs.
The letter read in part: “Please find forwarded herewith the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State for the consideration of the Senate.
“The Distinguished Senate may wish to recall that Rivers State is currently under emergency rule, which was proclaimed and duly gazetted in March 2025. Regulation 4, subsection 2(f) of the Emergency Rule 2025 requires authorisation for expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State in the absence of a functioning state assembly.
“It is expected that the National Assembly acts on behalf of the State Assembly, hence this request for Senate approval of the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill.
“The total sum of N1.481 trillion is allocated for both ongoing and new infrastructure projects.
“The sum of N166billion is earmarked for the health sector, including N5billion for free drugs to treat malaria and other common ailments.
“The sum of N75.6 billion is proposed for the education sector, while N31.4 billion is allocated for agriculture.
“This spending plan prioritises investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, which is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs.
“Accordingly, I hereby forward the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill and trust that it will receive the expeditious and favourable consideration of the Senate.
“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest regards.”
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate ad-hoc committee on Rivers State and urged the committee to report back as soon as practicable.
The Senate had on March 20 approved Tinubu’s request to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. On May 6, it inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to oversight the administration of the emergency rule in the state.
The committee is chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central). Other members include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Osita Izunaso (Imo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno), Aminu Iyal Abbas (Adamawa), Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo), Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi), Idiat Adebule (Lagos), Ede Dafinone (Delta), Mohammed Nakudu (Jigawa), and the Clerk to the Senate, Andrew Nwoba. Nation