The Senate has announced that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), along with other key government functionaries, will appear before the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee to defend the state’s proposed 2025 budget.
Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the disclosure on Monday during the committee’s inaugural meeting held at the New Senate Wing of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Senator Bamidele assured Nigerians that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring that the people of Rivers State are not disadvantaged following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18.
Following the declaration, Senate President Godswill Akpabio constituted an 18-member committee, chaired by Bamidele, to provide oversight on governance and ensure accountability in the state.
At the inaugural session, Bamidele revealed that both chambers of the National Assembly have agreed to a joint oversight of the Rivers State budget. The 2025 fiscal proposal was recently laid before the federal parliament by the Sole Administrator through President Tinubu.
“It is our understanding with colleagues in the House of Representatives that the Sole Administrator and other relevant state officials will appear before the joint ad-hoc committee of both chambers when it is time for the 2025 budget defence,” Bamidele stated.
He reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to financial transparency and democratic governance, adding that the National Assembly will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the emergency rule does not hinder the delivery of good governance to the people of Rivers State.
“The committee is now equipped with its work plan and timetable to ensure a thorough and transparent budget defence process. State officials expected to appear include the Accountant-General, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and others responsible for the economic management of the state,” Bamidele said.
He concluded by emphasizing that the National Assembly will uphold its constitutional oversight responsibilities to ensure that the rule of law, accountability, and democratic governance remain intact in Rivers State throughout the period of emergency rule.
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