Rivers ‘Sole Administrator’ Ibas Defends N1.48tn Budget, Says It Anticipates Fubara’s Return

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), the controversial “sole administrator” of Rivers State, has defended the proposed ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight — and says it anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other sidelined officials.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Ibas said the budget is “strategically aligned” with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027) and maintains allocations for suspended political actors, who may return once constitutional order is restored.

“In anticipation of eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors,” Ibas told lawmakers.

He accused unnamed officials of withholding “critical information” that affected the budget’s completeness but noted that already-spent funds from Q1 have been regularized to comply with statutory fiscal rules.

Highlights of the budget include:

• ₦324.5bn for infrastructure and transport

• ₦55bn for relocation of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

• ₦50bn for zonal hospital upgrades

• ₦38.85bn for shoreline protection

• ₦30bn for zonal secondary schools

• ₦117bn for pensions and employee benefits

• ₦2.5bn for women’s empowerment

• ₦3bn for youth resource centres

• ₦20bn to recapitalise Rivers Microfinance Bank

Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee and House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, praised Ibas’ detailed presentation and pledged a full budget review. “We are committed to restoring peace and development in Rivers State,” he said. “But we won’t cut corners.”