Fubara Signs 2026 Rivers Budget Into Law

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the state’s ₦1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the legislation.

Fubara signed the bill on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, formally giving legal backing to the state’s 2026 fiscal programme.

The appropriation, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House after lawmakers reviewed provisions contained in the governor’s original proposal. The bill was approved by 26 lawmakers during Thursday’s sitting.

According to Ireporter Online, the approved budget is expected to remain in effect until September 2, 2027, with funding projected to come from several sources, including ₦487.6 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, ₦936.052 billion in Federation Account Allocation Committee receipts, ₦50 billion in proposed internal loans and ₦25 billion from asset sales.

The spending plan also includes an opening and closing balance of ₦48 billion.

Under the sectoral breakdown, ₦262 billion was allocated to agriculture, while the economic sector received ₦625.8 billion. The law and justice sector was allocated ₦65 billion, while ₦435.4 billion was earmarked for the social sector.

The Assembly also reviewed a proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, a privately owned institution. Following concerns over accountability and the utilisation of previous allocations, lawmakers reduced the provision and redirected part of the funds to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board.

Fubara described the signing of the appropriation as a “breath of fresh air” and expressed optimism that the budget would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The governor also pledged his administration’s continued commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State, while assuring lawmakers of a cordial working relationship going forward.