The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has faulted Governor Siminalayi Fubara for allegedly submitting the state’s 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework “nine months behind the timeline prescribed by law.”
Amaewhule, however, said the House approved the spending framework in the interest of the state, despite the delay.
The approval came on Friday during plenary, 24 hours after the MTEF was read on the floor of the House.
In a statement issued by the Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, Amaewhule said Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010 required the MTEF to be laid before the House in September 2025, four months before the commencement of the next financial year.
“But in the interest of the state, the House deemed it expedient to consider the document, which is a precursor to the State’s 2026 Budget Estimate, even though the year is already half gone,” the statement said.
It added that the lawmakers scrutinised the assumptions contained in the MTEF and concluded that, if properly implemented, they would serve the interest of Rivers people.
“Predicating on the positive consideration of the MTEF by members, the Speaker put the question and members voted in the affirmative,” it added.
Also on Friday, the House received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Gift Worlu, through the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi, over an alleged imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and attempted forceful takeover of property by some persons in the local government area.
Presenting the petition, Amadi urged the House to revisit the matter and take the necessary steps to safeguard lives and property in the affected communities.
The Assembly last sat in February when it screened commissioner nominees forwarded by the governor before adjourning indefinitely.
It reconvened on Thursday after about three months.
