Abuja, Nigeria
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), Rivers State’s sole administrator, has appeared before the Senate ad-hoc Committee on oversight of emergency governance in the State.
Ibas informed the committee about the lack of transparency and missing records from the 2024 budget cycle.
The sole administrator explained that the current state of documentation in Rivers was inadequate, that it threatens the credibility of the 2025 fiscal plan.
The committee vowed to closely monitor the disbursement and implementation of the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget.
Speaking during the defence session, Opeyemi Bamidele, assured Nigerians that the legislature will ensure that every naira allocated in the 2025 Appropriation Bill delivers tangible results, the Punch reported.
“This is not just about reviewing figures on paper,” Bamidele said. “We are mandated by the Nigerian people to ensure that allocated funds are used effectively—project by project, sector by sector—so that the people of Rivers State feel the real impact of governance, especially under these exceptional circumstances.”
Bamidele emphasised that the committee’s responsibility goes well beyond Thursday’s defense session, noting that ongoing reviews will be conducted in the months ahead to monitor budget performance, ensure transparency, promote timely implementation, and guarantee value for money.
“We’ll be assessing not just the disbursements but also timelines, delivery benchmarks, and outcomes. The goal is simple: ensure that the 2025 budget translates into better roads, improved healthcare, quality education, security, and livelihoods for the people of Rivers State,” he said.
The Senate Leader also took the opportunity during the session to address misconceptions about the federal government’s emergency rule in Rivers State.
According to him, the emergency rule is a temporary measure declared by President Bola Tinubu, is not intended to replace democratic governance but serves as a constitutional intervention to restore stability.
“For the record, emergency rule is not a replacement for democracy,” Bamidele said. “It is a lawful and constitutionally backed response to restore peace and order when governance is under threat, as stipulated in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Gaps in 2024 Budget Raise Red Flags
“The limited availability of budgetary records and performance data from 2024 has made it difficult to build a comprehensive and accountable framework for 2025,” Ibas told lawmakers. “We are operating under severe constraints due to the opacity of the previous administration.”
On May 28, the appropriation Bill had scaled second reading in the Senate and was immediately referred to the ad-hoc committee for scrutiny. The panel is expected to submit its recommendations within a week.
