The House of Representatives has approved the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, but not without making significant cuts to parts of the proposed security spending.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, lawmakers adopted the findings of the Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State, chaired by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), before passing the bill after its third reading.
One of the major revisions included a reduction of ₦35 billion, initially allocated for CCTV installations, gunboat procurement, and surveillance contracts.
Ihonvbere explained that the committee also reallocated over ₦30 billion from various security-related votes to more essential sectors.
He said, “The adjustments were necessary to ensure the prudent use of state resources.”
The restructured budget breaks down into ₦256.42 billion for personnel, ₦162.58 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.06 trillion for capital projects, all to be executed before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, December 31.
These changes come amid previous concerns raised by the committee, including the justification of ₦24 billion earmarked for CCTV installations at the Rivers State Government House, and ₦30 billion set aside for gunboats, both of which were scrutinized during budget defense sessions.
The original proposal had been transmitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly back in May.
The move was part of an urgent strategy to stabilize governance and fast-track development efforts in the oil-rich state.
According to President Tinubu, the budget was crafted “to address development challenges in Rivers State, specifically in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.”
The reallocation of security funds toward more critical sectors is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds in Rivers State.
