By Nafisat Makinde
The Nigerian Senate has passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, authorizing the spending of N1.48 trillion under the emergency administration. The bill, proposed by President Bola Tinubu, aims to address development challenges in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage after lawmakers debated the bill’s general principles during the Committee of Supply session. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee, emphasized that the emergency rule is an extraordinary constitutional measure to restore order and stability.
Budget Breakdown:
- Capital Expenditure: N1.077 trillion, accounting for 72% of the budget, to drive economic recovery and enhance public sector efficiency
- Debt Servicing: N120.8 billion
- Recurrent Expenditure: N287.38 billion
- Pension and Gratuities: N50 billion to address outstanding pensions and gratuities, with Senator Abdul Ningi highlighting a N147 billion pension deficit and urging transparency and swift disbursement
Senator Bamidele noted that the budget is consistent with the objectives of the emergency rule, seeking to stabilize governance and ensure continuity of essential public services. Senate President Akpabio commended the committee for expediting the process, saying, “I pray that when these projects are executed, they will bring more dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers and lead to peace, development, and prosperity”.
