Senate Vows No Kobo Will Be Wasted In Rivers’ ₦1.48 Trillion Emergency Budget
Published: Thursday, June 19, 2025
The Nigerian Senate has declared it will leave no stone unturned in ensuring strict oversight of the staggering ₦1.48 trillion emergency budget allocated to Rivers State under the watch of its current Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).
This follows the recent federal government intervention that placed the state under emergency governance — a move that has sparked widespread debate across the country.
🧾 “Every Naira Must Count” — Senate Lays Down the Law
Speaking during a special oversight session, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the Oversight of Emergency Governance in Rivers, emphasized that this is not a time for business as usual.
“We are not here to rubber-stamp figures,” Bamidele said. “We are mandated by Nigerians to track every disbursement, every benchmark, and every outcome of this budget. The people of Rivers deserve transparency, delivery, and real impact.”
He assured that the Senate would monitor implementation project by project, sector by sector, with a focus on improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, and livelihoods across the state.
🚧 Focus Areas: Roads, Health, Schools, and Security
The ₦1.48 trillion allocation — among the largest state-level budgets in Nigeria — is expected to address urgent needs brought on by political instability and developmental stagnation in Rivers.
Bamidele stated the Senate would assess:
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Timelines for each project
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Delivery benchmarks to avoid abandoned works
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Sector-specific outcomes, especially in rural communities
“This is not just about paper plans. The money must hit the ground in form of visible, measurable improvements,” he said.
🛡️ Emergency Rule Clarified: “This Is Not a Coup”
Bamidele also addressed public confusion over the emergency rule declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, explaining that it is a constitutional mechanism, not a power grab.
“Let it be clear: this is not a replacement for democracy,” he said. “Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution gives the President the right to declare emergency governance to restore peace and public order when civil administration is threatened.”
🔍 What to Expect Going Forward
Nigerians can expect monthly reports and performance updates from the oversight committee, with the aim of ensuring that:
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Projects are not inflated or duplicated
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No funds are diverted or unaccounted for
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Contractors meet set deadlines and quality standards
🧠 Final Thought
As Rivers State enters this critical phase of emergency administration, the eyes of the nation are watching closely. The Senate has drawn a clear line: every naira must deliver real results — or those responsible will face consequences.
This level of scrutiny, if fully enforced, could set a new standard for budget accountability across Nigeria.
