Budget Presentation: Rivers assembly adjourns indefinitely

The Rivers State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended its sittings following a plenary session on Friday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule in Port Harcourt.  

This development comes shortly after Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially informed the Speaker of his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration and approval.

In a letter dated March 13, 2025, and addressed to Speaker Amaewhule, the governor proposed March 19 as the date for the budget presentation or any other date within the month that the Assembly finds suitable.

Governor Fubara noted that his decision aligns with a Supreme Court ruling and follows the lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.

The governor also recalled his previous attempt to present the budget at the Assembly Quarters, where lawmakers had been holding their sessions but was denied access to the complex.

The Assembly’s decision to adjourn legislative sittings raises fresh concerns about the lawmakers’ implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

On February 28, the apex court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney General of the Federation to withhold funds meant for Rivers State until a duly constituted House of Assembly, comprising all elected members, is in place.

The budget presentation is crucial to the release of these funds.

As of Friday, March 14, 2025, local government workers in the state had yet to receive their February salaries following the Supreme Court’s judgment, which led to the removal of the 23 local government chairmen.

Similarly, civil servants in Rivers State have expressed concerns over salary payments for March, as the budget has not yet been presented in line with the court’s directive.