The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo), has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to provide detailed explanations and documentation regarding questionable allocations in the state’s 2025 budget proposal.
Ihonvbere, who also serves as House Majority Leader, raised the concerns during a budget defence session in Abuja on Monday, noting that the committee had identified several gaps and irregularities in the submitted budget.
Among the flagged allocations were N24 billion for CCTV installations at the Rivers State Government House, N30 billion for gunboats, and N23 billion set aside as contingency reserves—all of which were queried for lacking adequate justification or breakdowns.
He further demanded the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a legal prerequisite for any budget presentation, which had not been included.
“We also need details of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the last three months and records of transfers to local governments, especially how those funds are being managed currently,” Ihonvbere stated.
Reaffirming the committee’s commitment to accountability and transparency, the chairman stressed, “We are all on the same side in terms of getting Rivers working again… and protecting the interests of citizens across the state.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Andrew Nweke, representing the Sole Administrator, Ibas, explained that the current administration inherited much of the budget framework. He said it was shaped by needs assessments conducted by implementation agencies.
Nweke defended the N30 billion gunboat allocation, citing the state’s security challenges, especially on its waterways, and stressing the need to support security agencies in combating threats.
The committee, however, maintained its demand for full documentation within 48 hours, as the House intensifies its push for fiscal discipline and responsible governance in Rivers State.
