Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has described the state’s N1.854 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill as a “breath of fresh air”, expressing optimism that its passage and signing into law would usher in a new era of development, unity and cooperation in the state.
Fubara spoke on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after assenting to the appropriation bill, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
The governor said the development marked the beginning of a healthier relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, following a prolonged period of political disagreement that had affected the relationship between the two institutions.
According to him, the priority of his administration remained the progress and development of Rivers State, assuring members of the Rivers State House of Assembly of his commitment to maintaining a cordial and cooperative working relationship.
“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” Fubara said.
He thanked the lawmakers for their role in ensuring the passage of the budget, describing the development as significant to the state at a critical period.
The governor also acknowledged the role played by the former Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the meeting and process that culminated in the passage and signing of the budget.
“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” he said.
Fubara further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Rivers First” mantra, stressing that the implementation of the 2026 budget would place the welfare and development of the people at the centre of government policies and programmes.
The N1,854,248,734,475.76 budget estimate was initially presented by the governor to the State House of Assembly on July 10, 2026.
The proposed appropriation represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial estimates. It was subsequently passed by the House of Assembly on Thursday after the lawmakers subjected the proposals to scrutiny and debate.
The passage and signing of the budget is particularly significant as it represents the first appropriation bill to successfully pass through the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly under the Fubara administration.
Presenting the bill to the governor for assent, the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Major Jack, described the appropriation as an ambitious budget designed to promote growth and development across the state.
He said the lawmakers subjected the estimates to thorough scrutiny in the interest of ensuring that the budget would deliver the desired development outcomes to the people of Rivers State.
“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state,” Jack said.
He formally presented the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No. 1, 2026, to the governor for his assent.
However, Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, disclosed that the lawmakers did not pass the budget exactly as presented by the governor.
Amaewhule said the Assembly reviewed downward the proposed N6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, where Rivers indigenes have been receiving scholarships from the state government.
According to him, part of the allocation was redirected to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board after the university’s management failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the utilisation of funds and did not send representatives to appear before the Assembly.
The Speaker said the adjustment was part of the Assembly’s oversight responsibility aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
Amaewhule also commended the governor for provisions contained in the budget, saying they demonstrated the administration’s preparedness to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
The signing of the 2026 appropriation law signals a potentially new phase in the relationship between the Rivers State executive and legislature, with both sides now pledging cooperation in the implementation of programmes and projects contained in the budget.
For the Fubara administration, attention will now shift from the passage of the budget to its implementation, particularly the delivery of infrastructure, social services and other development programmes captured in the fiscal plan.
The governor’s description of the budget as a “breath of fresh air” therefore underscores his expectation that the new appropriation law will not only provide the financial framework for development but also consolidate the emerging rapprochement between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The key additional context above—particularly the N1.854tn budget size, 24.5% increase, July 10 presentation, Assembly amendments and PAMO allocation issue—is drawn from Vanguard’s report and corroborating reports published today.
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