Governor Siminalayi Fubara will present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday. The move marks a crucial moment in resolving the fiscal uncertainty that has gripped the state for months.
The presentation comes after lawmakers approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework two weeks ago. This fiscal roadmap outlines government revenue projections and spending plans across the three-year period and serves as the bedrock for the annual budget.
Rivers State is projecting a budget of N1.84 trillion for 2026, according to the framework. Recurrent spending sits above N400 billion while capital projects will consume more than N1.4 trillion, reflecting the administration's pledge to prioritise infrastructure development.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule praised the executive for crafting what he called a practical fiscal blueprint for the state's next three years. However, he raised red flags about the framework's revenue assumptions, contending that projections don't capture current market conditions, particularly regarding international crude oil prices.
The delayed arrival of the 2026 budget proposal has drawn intense scrutiny from the public and political observers. Many have linked the protracted wait to the ongoing tensions between the executive and legislature in the state.
Once Fubara lays the bill before lawmakers, it will face parliamentary examination before passage and implementation. The budget's structure signals where the government plans to channel resources over the coming year.
