Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is set to present the state’s ₦1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill before the State House of Assembly on Friday, marking a major step toward resolving months of budget uncertainty in the state.
The budget presentation comes two weeks after the Assembly approved the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the fiscal document that outlines the state’s projected revenue and expenditure plans over the next three years and serves as the foundation for the annual budget.
Under the approved framework, Rivers State is projecting a ₦1.84 trillion budget for 2026. More than ₦400 billion has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while over ₦1.4 trillion is allocated to capital projects, reflecting the Fubara administration’s continued focus on infrastructure development.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, commended the executive for producing what he described as a practical fiscal blueprint for the state’s development over the three-year period.
However, Amaewhule expressed reservations about the framework’s revenue projections, arguing that they do not fully reflect current economic realities, particularly in light of prevailing global crude oil prices.
The expected presentation of the 2026 budget has drawn considerable public attention after months of delay, fueling speculation that the prolonged standoff between the executive and legislative arms of government contributed to the setback.
Once presented, the appropriation bill will be subjected to legislative scrutiny before it can be debated, passed by the Assembly, and signed into law for implementation.
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