The Senate has approved Rivers State’s 2025 budget, totaling ₦1.485 trillion, after passing the appropriation bill through its third and final reading.
The decision followed a review of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State’s report during a Committee of Supply session in the upper chamber.
The bill gives legal backing for the state to spend ₦1.485 trillion from its Consolidated Revenue Fund in the 2025 fiscal year, which runs until December 31.
According to the budget breakdown, ₦120.8 billion is allocated for debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenses, and ₦1.077 trillion is set aside for capital projects.
While backing the budget’s passage, Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central raised concerns over a separate ₦50 billion earmarked to settle outstanding pensions and gratuities.
He urged the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out strict oversight to make sure the funds are properly disbursed to pensioners.
With the Senate’s approval, the budget now moves forward for signing and implementation.
KanyiDaily recalls that in May, President Bola Tinubu had submitted the Rivers State budget proposal to the National Assembly for consideration after the state’s House of Assembly was suspended.
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