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Fubara Presents N1.188tn 2025 Budget To Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has presented N1.188 trillion as a budgetary estimate for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

This figure is an increase from the 2024 budget of N800 billion that was presented in 2023 to the Assembly.

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Fubara presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill shortly after delivering his address to lawmakers at the Assembly Auditorium, Administrative Block of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said the 2025 budget, christened “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development,” will be implemented to achieve sustainable economic growth and accelerate the development of the state while improving the living standards of all residents.

Fubara explained that with the set-out objectives, the 2025 budget will strengthen the capacity of the state to weather possible external shocks from the volatility of the national economy while building a resilient economy that will advance the collective development and prosperity of the people.

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READ ALSO: Fubara Prevented Wike From Making Rivers His Private Estate – Former Gov, Odili

He said, “The total projected revenue for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year is N1,188,962,739,932.36.

“Two components of the budget are constituted as follows: Recurrent Expenditure of N462,254,153,418.98; Capital Expenditure of N678,088,433,692.03; Planning Reserve of N35,688,864,931.16; and a closing balance of N12,931,287,890.1935.

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“This gives a Recurrent/Capital Expenditure ratio of 44:56%, indicating the sincere commitment of our administration to both infrastructural and human capital development of our people and state.”

The governor said nearly N31 billion has been allocated to support interventions in agricultural development to ease the implementation of a comprehensive agriculture transformation and support programme for Rivers youths in order to significantly resolve issues of youth unemployment and poverty.

He emphasised that the commitment is also to address food insecurity in Rivers State, and provide land preparation, farm inputs, and extension services, including training, tractors, and access to improved seedlings and fertilisers to farmers to enhance their productivity and farm yields.

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READ ALSO: Why Nigeria Will Continue To Produce Fossil Fuels – Lokpobiri

In education, Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to provide access to quality education at all levels, enabling Rivers children to have the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and contribute to the development of the state.

The governor said, “Consequently, we have proposed to spend over N63 billion, representing 9.3% of the budget on education in fiscal year 2025.

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“With this, we shall access all outstanding matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission to rehabilitate, equip and furnish dilapidated public primary and junior secondary schools, and continue to provide free basic education to our children.

“We will also rehabilitate, equip and furnish as many senior secondary schools as possible across the State, including the provision of new classrooms, perimeter fencing, water and electricity, to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.

“We shall work with the school-based management boards, administrators, parents and teachers to fix our broken school system, improve enrollments, keep learners in school, promote effective teaching, and improve learning outcomes.”

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READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: I Can’t Donate My Kidney, Liver To Be Loyal To Anybody – Fubara[VIDEO]

Fubara said with the proposed N97.750 billion for the health sector, representing 14.4% of the budget, all zonal hospitals, the upgraded neuropsychiatric hospital, and the new general hospital at Rumuigbo under reconstruction will be completed to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people of the State.

He also assured of rehabilitating more general hospitals and health centres across the state,  ensuring the procurement of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment for effective and efficient healthcare delivery, while also providing more infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for quality, effective, and efficient tertiary healthcare services.

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On Road and Transport Infrastructure, Governor Fubara said over N195 billion has been earmarked to complete all ongoing road projects and initiate new ones, support and facilitate the modernisation of the public transport system through necessary incentives to improve the quality of public transportation services in the State.

Fubara assured that all ongoing electrification projects, including delivering transformers and replacing the generator-powered streetlights with solar energy-powered streetlights across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, will be concluded and restated the determination to ensure the passage of the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill to regulate and open the State’s energy sector for private sector investments in order to achieve energy security and accelerate the industrialization of Rivers State.

He said, “In Social Development and Investments, Mr Speaker, we have proposed to spend N15.4 billion for the social development subsector of our economy to advance youth and gender empowerment, jobs and wealth creation, sports development, and social inclusion.

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READ ALSO: PDP Crisis: Drama As Fubara’s Candidates Contest Rivers Council’s Poll On APP Platform

“We will collaborate with Local Government Councils to establish youth resource and digital transformation centres to enable access to digital tools, Internet services and training programmes for our youths to become economically successful and sufficiently self-reliant.

“We will also continue to support and strengthen the capacity of state-owned sporting teams, especially Rivers United, Rivers Angels, and the Hoopers, to enable them to excel and win more laurels in both national, regional and international contests.”

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Fubara, who said the 2025 will be funded from FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, Statutory Allocations, Mineral Funds, Valued Added Tax, Refunds/Escrow/ECA and others, explained that the 2014 budget performed excellently with the IGR figure hitting N100billion increase over the 2023 figure.

In his speech, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, applauded Fubara for recording over N100 billion increase in IGR, which he said shows a high level of transparency and accountability in governance, with the plugging of financial leakage, adding that it is also a testament to how attractive Rivers investment climate has become.

Oko-Jumbo pledged the continual support of the Legislature to the executive to ensure that the governor remains focused, sustains financial prudence, delivers democratic dividends, and to make life better for the people.

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PHOTOS: Peace Restored In Delta Community As Council Boss, Takeme, Wades In

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Tuomo, a riverine community in Delta State’s Burutu Local Government Area, is experiencing renewed calm following decisive intervention by local authorities to settle a heated leadership crisis.

On Monday, Burutu LGA Chairman, Dr. Julius Takeme, led a peace delegation to the area, spearheading reconciliation discussions and reinforcing the government’s commitment to long-term stability.

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Dr. Takeme highlighted his administration’s resolve to implement Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s broader peace and security strategy for Burutu LGA.

Dr. Julius Takeme, Chairman, Burutu LG during the meeting on Monday, 30 June, 2025

Addressing the main source of discord—the controversial selection process for a new Amananawei (traditional ruler)—he emphasized the need for transparent and lawful resolution to avoid further division within the community.

READ ALSO: Clark’s Burial: Preparation In Top Gear As Burutu LG Boss Inspects Venue

“The council has zero tolerance for lawlessness or abuse of power,” Dr. Takeme declared, warning against intimidation, violence, or any form of extrajudicial detention.

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A cross section of community people during the peace/reconciliation meeting on Monday, 30 June,2025.

In direct remarks to Tuomo Community Chairman, Mr. Edonyaibo Morentei Warebi and the newly confirmed Amananawei, Chief Arebebe Ebiyemi, he stressed the responsibility of leadership to uphold legality and promote inclusiveness.

“Leadership should be anchored on the rule of law, not on threats or coercion,” he told them, urging both leaders to unite the community and fulfill their electoral commitments. He further warned against any mishandling of the reconciliation process, assuring residents that the administration remained fully invested in protecting lives and fostering peace.

The chairman was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the Nigeria Police Area Commander for Burutu, ACP Redengha Timpa, whose on-the-ground presence was vital in maintaining order and preventing renewed conflict. Senior officials from the local government also joined the mission, demonstrating a coordinated approach to crisis management.

A cross section of community women during the peace/reconciliation meeting on Monday, 30 June,2025.

READ ALSO: Delta: Burutu LG Boss, Takeme, Inaugurates Peace, Advocacy Committee

During his address, Dr. Takeme commended the police for their professionalism and praised ACP Timpa’s continuous engagement as a key factor in defusing tensions and restoring a sense of security among residents.

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In response, Chief Arebebe Ebiyemi delivered a vote of thanks, acknowledging the chairman’s consistent intervention and pledging to work tirelessly for peace and unity. Community Chairman Mr. Warebi promised a leadership style grounded in inclusiveness and dialogue, describing this period as an opportunity to rebuild community trust and heal divisions.

Chief Ebiyemi further assured the council of his readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders in promoting a more harmonious and united Tuomo.

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JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, from N880 to N840 per litre.

Spokesman for the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, confirmed the price adjustment to The PUNCH on Monday night, saying the new rate took effect on June 30.

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PMS price has been reduced from N880 to N840 per litre effective 30th June,” Chiejina said.

 

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Again, Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price

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Recall that the Dangote refinery hiked the price of petrol to N880 as tension escalated during the 12-day crisis between Israel and Iran, raising the price of crude oil to almost $80 per barrel.

The PUNCH earlier reported that marketers anticipated that there would be a new price regime from Monday.

Dangote’s partners like MRS, Heyden and AP are expected to adjust their pump prices soon.

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Ondo Confirms Petitions Seeking Coroner’s Inquest Into Akeredolu’s Death

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Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, on Monday confirmed receipt of petitions demanding a formal coroner’s inquest into the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

In a statement shared with The PUNCH, Ajulo declared that the public has every right under the Coroners Law of Ondo State to demand clarity in cases where foul play is suspected or questions linger.

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It is not out of place for citizens to demand its invocation when there are legitimate concerns.

“The Attorney General is duty-bound to act in accordance with the law once such concerns are raised by members of the public,” he stated.

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According to Ajulo, the Ministry of Justice has received multiple petitions, including from professional bodies and residents of the late governor’s hometown, urging his office to investigate what they described as troubling inconsistencies surrounding Akeredolu’s death.

Ajulo disclosed, “We have received petitions from groups both within and outside the state.

“Let me be clear: due process will be followed. The law is there to serve the people and ensure that truth and justice prevail.”

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He noted that while emotions are running high, no individual will be presumed guilty, and neither will the process be derailed by sentiment or political interference.

READ ALSO:Memorial Lecture: Akeredolu’s Widow Knocks Aiyedatiwa, Says ‘It’s Entry Point To Chop Money’

If invitations or arrests need to be made, the process will not deviate from doing the needful,” he declared.

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Ajulo clarified that decisions such as inspecting the governor’s remains or summoning individuals fall squarely under the discretion of the Coroner Judge.

The law will be allowed to take its course,” he emphasized.

Calling for calm and restraint, the Attorney General urged all stakeholders to approach the matter with a “deep sense of responsibility” to the legacy of the late governor and the peace of the state.

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READ ALSO:Memorial Lecture: Akeredolu’s Widow Knocks Aiyedatiwa, Says ‘It’s Entry Point To Chop Money’

We must approach this issue with civility, dignity, and a deep sense of responsibility to the legacy of the late Governor and the peace of the state,” he said.

Reaffirming the stance of the state’s leadership under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ajulo wrote, “No one is above the law, and no one is beneath its protection. “Where the law provides a remedy, the government of Governor Aiyedatiwa will not be found wanting.”

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Until his death, Akeredolu was a two-term Governor of Ondo State and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Reports from the state government stated that he died on December 27, 2023, at 67, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

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