After Delay, Fubara Presents N1.854tr ‘Budget of Resilience’ to Rivers Assembly
Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday presented a proposed N1.854 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure renewal, education, healthcare, economic expansion and human capital development.
Presenting the budget, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” before lawmakers, Fubara said the proposal was designed to build a more resilient, prosperous and inclusive economy while sustaining ongoing investments in critical sectors.
The governor said the projected expenditure of N1,854,248,734,475.76 represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the adjusted 2025 budget, driven by anticipated improvements in statutory allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), derivation revenue and internally generated revenue.
Despite political and economic challenges, Fubara said his administration had maintained fiscal stability through prudent management of public resources.
“Our State has remained fiscally stable, thanks to our commitment to fiscal responsibility, prudence and accountability in managing public funds.
We do not tolerate mismanagement at any level and have wisely utilised public funds to provide services, attract investment, create jobs and expand socio-economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
According to the governor, the projected revenue profile comprises N487.61 billion from internally generated revenue, N936.05 billion from FAAC allocations, including derivation funds, Value Added Tax and exchange gains, N48.11 billion in opening and closing balances, and N382.48 billion from capital receipts, including domestic loans, grants and asset sales.
Fubara proposed N413.11 billion for recurrent expenditure and N1.405 trillion for capital projects, underscoring his administration’s commitment to development-oriented spending.
He disclosed that personnel costs would gulp N154.77 billion, while N15.22 billion was earmarked for new recruitment into the public service. Other recurrent allocations include N55.10 billion for pensions, N20 billion each for gratuities and legacy pension liabilities, N7 billion for death benefits and N36.71 billion for overhead costs.
The governor announced a 50 per cent increase in overhead allocations to ministries, departments and agencies to enhance operational efficiency immediately the budget is passed into law.
He also pledged to clear the backlog of gratuities and death benefits owed retired civil servants, saying the liabilities accumulated under previous administrations would receive priority attention.
On capital spending, infrastructure retained the largest share, with N533.32 billion allocated to works and infrastructure. Education follows with N315 billion, while N105.43 billion was earmarked for healthcare delivery.
The Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to receive N41.44 billion, while the judiciary was allocated N30 billion. Other sectoral allocations include N19.26 billion for agriculture, N15 billion for power, N8.5 billion for chieftaincy and community development, N7.98 billion for sports, N7 billion for youth development, N6.5 billion for women affairs and N6.61 billion for environmental sustainability.
Fubara described the appropriation bill as a people-centred budget designed to accelerate development, stimulate economic growth and improve living standards across the state.
He identified economic growth, human capital development, socio-economic infrastructure and social investment as the administration’s core priorities for the 2026 fiscal year.
The governor said the budget would fund new infrastructure projects, complete ongoing road construction and ensure the maintenance of existing roads and bridges, while significantly expanding investment in education to reposition the sector for better outcomes.
Acknowledging the delay in presenting the budget, Fubara assured lawmakers that implementation would be robust and anchored on transparency, accountability and responsible financial management.
He urged members of the House of Assembly to rise above political differences and approve the proposal in the overriding interest of Rivers people.
“The collective interests of our State and people are more important than any other consideration. As leaders, it is our collective duty to ensure every kobo is spent where it is most needed and to deliver on our mandates to the people,” the governor said.
He thereafter formally laid the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the House for consideration and passage into law.
