Rivers 2025 Budget Ready, Says Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas *To prioritise agriculture, health, education, infrastructure

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced a new 2025 budget meant to drive key sectors of the state.

The announcement was made in a meeting with the Rivers State caucus in the National Assembly, chaired by Senator Barinada Mpigi, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The new budget, Ibas explained, will prioritize the most essential areas of healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure development, and job creation. These are the areas most crucial to stimulating economic growth, improving public services, and addressing the pressing needs of the people of Rivers State, he added.

“With this budget, we aim to bring long-term answers to what’s wrong with the state. We desire to create an atmosphere wherein our people will thrive—where healthcare, education, and infrastructure are not just accessible but of the highest quality,” Ibas stated.

He also emphasized that technological advancement shall be a major catalyst for development in the state, stating the increasing relevance of innovation in achieving sustainable development.

Ibas also spoke about the issue of bringing back peace and law and order to Rivers State, stating that the administration would do all that is required to make the state’s citizens able to work and live without fear. “Security and stability are the pillars on which any thriving state stands. We are determined as ever to restore law and order and create an appropriate ambience in which all would flourish,” he said.

In accordance with the recent Supreme Court decision which invalidated the previous 2025 budget, the Sole Administrator assured the public that the new budget was carefully prepared with transparency and inclusiveness at hand.

He believed that the rapid process would ensure timely investments in priority areas of development in order to improve the quality of life for Rivers State citizens.

We are working very hard to ensure that this new budget really reflects our people’s priorities, and we will do that openly, with utmost care and urgency,” he said.

Ibas also called for the support of the state legislators to facilitate the achievement of the necessary resources and support required for the successful implementation of the budget.

“Our success depends on cooperation and collaboration between all stakeholders, and we look forward to working with the legislature in bringing these goals into fruition,” he said.

The new budget of 2025 is following a big legal setback for the state government with the Supreme Court ruling that the earlier draft of the budget be invalidated. Despite this obstacle, Ibas is optimistic about the future, ensuring that the fiscal planning of the state will continue to be interested in improving the well-being of its citizens.

The unveiling of the new budget plan was met with cautious optimism since the majority of them waited for more details on how the administration is going to address the urgent needs of the state’s infrastructure, security, and social services.