Esther Salifu
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee in Rivers State has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas demanding a detailed breakdown of the proposed N1.48 trillion 2025 budget.
The committee raised concerns over several allocations, including N24 billion for CCTV installations at the Government House, N30 billion for gunboats, and N23 billion for contingency reserves.
Chairman of the committee and House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, stating that the committee requires additional details to assess the budget’s credibility and feasibility.
He also questioned the allocation of state funds to federal projects without prior agreements for reimbursement.
In response, Andrew Nweke, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy, representing Vice Admiral Ibas, explained that many budget items were inherited and based on needs assessments. He defended the allocations, citing security concerns and the necessity for modern surveillance infrastructure.
The committee has requested the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), details of Internally Generated Revenue over the past three months, and records of financial transfers to local governments within 48 hours. This move underscores the House’s commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and protecting the interests of Rivers State residents.
