Reps Approve ₦1.48tr Rivers 2025 Budget, Cut CCTV, Gunboat Funds
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the N1.48 trillion appropriation bill for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year, following adjustments to the original proposal.
The lawmakers made key revisions to the bill, including the removal of N35 billion from allocations designated for CCTV installations, gunboat procurement, and surveillance contracts.
The bill was passed during plenary, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, after the House adopted the report of its Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State. The committee, chaired by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), had scrutinized the budget in detail.
While presenting the report, Ihonvbere noted that the committee reallocated over N30 billion from the contentious security-related votes to other priority sectors, citing the need for prudent and transparent use of public funds.
According to him, the approved budget provides for N256.42 billion in personnel costs, N162.58 billion for overheads, and N1.06 trillion for capital expenditure, covering the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
The revisions follow concerns raised by the committee during budget defense sessions, particularly regarding a proposed N24 billion for CCTV installations at the Government House and another N30 billion for gunboats. These allocations were flagged for lacking adequate justification.
The budget was originally transmitted to the National Assembly in May by President Bola Tinubu, who called for urgent legislative action. The president described the proposal as part of a broader intervention to stabilize governance and accelerate development in Rivers State.
According to President Tinubu, the appropriation aims to address key development challenges across the state, with a focus on infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.
