Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday presented a ₦1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
Presenting the Fubara 2026 budget before lawmakers, the governor said the proposal was designed to consolidate the state’s economic resilience, strengthen infrastructure, improve human capital development, and enhance the welfare of residents despite prevailing challenges.
Fubara said his administration had maintained fiscal discipline and accountability, ensuring that governance continued uninterrupted while making significant progress in road infrastructure, security, and social services.
According to him, the proposed budget projects a total revenue of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget. He attributed the anticipated growth to improved receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation funds, internally generated revenue, and a more positive national economic outlook.
The governor explained that the state’s projected revenue would come from ₦487.61 billion in internally generated revenue, ₦936.05 billion from FAAC allocations, derivation funds, VAT and exchange gains, ₦48.11 billion in opening and closing balances, and ₦382.48 billion in capital receipts, including loans, grants and asset sales.
On expenditure, the Fubara 2026 budget allocates ₦413.11 billion for recurrent spending, covering personnel costs, pensions, gratuities, overheads, debt servicing, insurance and other statutory obligations.
Fubara disclosed that his administration had proposed at least a 50 per cent increase in overhead allocations for ministries, departments and agencies to improve their operational efficiency once the budget becomes law.
He also assured civil servants that adequate provisions had been made to clear outstanding gratuities and death benefits inherited from previous administrations.
The governor proposed ₦1.405 trillion for capital expenditure, with infrastructure and economic development receiving the largest share of the budget.
Works and infrastructure received the highest allocation of ₦533.32 billion, followed by ₦315 billion for education, ₦105.43 billion for healthcare, ₦41.44 billion for the Rivers State House of Assembly, ₦30 billion for the judiciary, and ₦19.26 billion for agriculture.
Other allocations include ₦15 billion for power, ₦8.5 billion for chieftaincy and community development, ₦7.98 billion for sports, ₦7 billion for youth development, ₦6.5 billion for women affairs, and ₦6.61 billion for environmental sustainability.
Fubara noted that the capital budget reflects his administration’s commitment to completing ongoing road projects, maintaining existing infrastructure, improving healthcare delivery, strengthening education and expanding social investments across the state.
He described the Fubara 2026 budget as a people-focused financial plan intended to stimulate inclusive economic growth, create jobs, attract investment and improve living standards across all local government areas.
Calling for bipartisan support, the governor urged lawmakers to approve the appropriation bill, stressing that the collective interest of Rivers State should take precedence over political differences.
He acknowledged the delay in preparing the budget but assured residents that its implementation would be guided by transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
Fubara formally laid the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the House for legislative consideration and passage into law.
