The prolonged delay in the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill in Rivers State has come under fresh criticism, with the Rivers Equity Group (REG) warning that the stalemate is inflicting severe damage on the state’s economy, undermining governance and eroding investor confidence.
Leader of the group, Mr. Clapton Ogolo, described the continued non-passage of the budget as “an act of sabotage” deliberately designed to cripple development and deny the people the dividends of democracy.
In a statement made available to journalists, Ogolo accused members of the Rivers State House of Assembly of placing political interests above the welfare of the people by allegedly refusing to consider the appropriation bill, despite its strategic importance to the state’s economic growth.
According to him, the budget remains the constitutional instrument through which government executes projects, provides essential services and stimulates economic activities, warning that any prolonged delay inevitably stalls development.
“The non-passage of the 2026 Appropriation Law of Rivers State is an act of sabotage targeted at depriving the state of development and discouraging investors,” he said.
Ogolo lamented that while Rivers State continues to grapple with the absence of a legally approved budget, political actors allegedly responsible for the impasse are preoccupied with activities outside the state.
“It is unfortunate that those championing this decline in development have their families comfortably living in Lagos and Abuja, while Rivers people bear the consequences of their actions,” he stated.
He further questioned the propriety of politcians from Rivers state who are happily participating in project commissioning ceremonies outside Rivers yet, have failed to perform their legitimate functions to get Rivers State running, as according to him, there is no constitutional authorisation for the execution of capital projects without an approved appropriation law.
“The most disheartening experience is seeing Rivers State people attending commissioning ceremonies in Abuja and other states while there is no constitutional authorisation for the Governor to execute projects because the budget has not been passed,” he added.
The REG leader also expressed concern over allegations that some lawmakers were demanding financial inducements from the executive before considering the appropriation bill, insisting that if such claims were true, they represented a grave assault on democratic governance and public accountability.
“It is painful and disheartening that those who have benefited immensely from successive governments are still supporting actions that are inimical to the progress of Rivers State. I can never be impressed by any commissioning ceremony outside the state while our budget, which should drive development, is still being held back,” he said.
Ogolo maintained that the continued delay was sending negative signals to both local and foreign investors, many of whom depend on the state’s annual fiscal plan as an indication of government priorities and policy direction.
He warned that without an operational budget, critical infrastructure projects, job creation initiatives, healthcare delivery, education programmes and other public services would remain stalled, with far-reaching consequences for economic growth and the welfare of citizens.
According to him, the unfolding situation has left many Rivers people disillusioned, stressing that those behind the political impasse should reflect on the implications of their actions.
“Looking at their faces, you can see that their hearts are troubled because some of them cannot sleep well at night. God is just; whatever a man sows, he will also reap,” he declared.
Ogolo called on all political actors to rise above personal interests and immediately facilitate the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill in the overriding interest of peace, good governance and sustainable development.
He urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without external influence, insisting that the welfare of Rivers people must take precedence over political calculations.
According to him, every additional day the budget remains unpassed translates into lost economic opportunities, delayed infrastructure, rising hardship and diminished confidence in the state’s investment climate.