The Nigerian Senate has passed the 2025 Rivers State budget, totaling ₦1.48 trillion, for second reading as part of its constitutional duties under the ongoing State of Emergency in the state.
The budget, officially titled “Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill”, was presented by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who emphasized that the National Assembly had assumed legislative powers for Rivers State under constitutional provisions triggered by the emergency declaration.
In his contribution, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola underscored the urgency of the legislation, stating that prompt approval was crucial to ensure governance and development efforts reach the people of Rivers State.
“Mr. President, I don’t know under what topic this document is christened, but I can see it is a budget under a state of emergency. I hereby support that the budget be passed for second reading so the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government,” he stated.
With no opposition voiced against the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote and subsequently referred the budget to the Ad-hoc Committee on Oversight of the Rivers State Emergency for further legislative scrutiny.
The swift legislative move is expected to pave the way for continued governance and service delivery in the oil-rich state amid ongoing political tensions and administrative instability.
