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RSG Proposes N490.32bn For 2013 …Unveils Law On Mushroom Schools
A budget of N490.32billion has been proposed by the Rivers State Government for 2013.
Speaking at the budget presentation at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Port Harcourt, Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi said that the proposed budget was to consolidate the achievements of his administration in various sectors of the economy and set the state on an economic rebirth.
From the figures, the 2013 budget is N52.32 billion higher than the 2012 budget of N438billion.
The budget according to the governor is to be largely financed through Federal Statutory Allocations estimated to the tune of N245billion, Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), deductions from social levy to the sum of N80billion, last year balance of N48.32billion and proceeds of N100billion bond and credit of 17billion.
Though the governor frowned at the swelling recurrent expenditure of 176.02billion, capital expenditure still gulped the largest part of the budget with N314billion, slightly less than that of 2012 of N323.70billion.
Amaechi explained reasons for the swelling recurrent expenditure, “We had made provisions under the recurrent expenditure window for new recruitments including the hiring of additional 13,000 teachers to strengthen our education sub -sector.”
A further breakdown of the budget shows the economic sector having the largest chunk of 93billion, followed by the social sector with N64.50 billion. The educational sector trailed with 47.81billion, environment N37.60 billion, health got N10.23billion.
Sub-sectoral allocations put Energy and Natural Resources at the lowest with N160million, Commerce and Industry N400million, Women Affairs with N600million, while Social Welfare and Rehabilitation had N500million.
Water sector got N25.5billion which according to Amaechi is aimed at providing the needed infrastructure for sustainable delivery of water in Port Harcourt metropolis. Agriculture also got improved allocation of N4.03 billion, Culture and Tourism got N1.12billion and Housing N3billion.
The Rivers State Chief Executive assured that this administration would pursue good governance building and re-engineering the civil service through ICT compliance adding, “our agenda on openness, accountability and transparency will continue to be executed in 2013”.
Later, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Amachree commended the state government for the vision of moving the state forward, especially by putting emphasis on capital project.
Rt Hon Amachree observed, “we are indeed delighted to be partners in this success story”.
He assured the governor that the budget would be given a speedy in-depth consideration, noting that by next year its oversight functions would be beefed up.
Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has signed into law three bills namely, the State Education Quality Assurance, the Transportation and Disability law bills.
The Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd told newsmen after the signing of three bills into law on Monday that the laws are geared at fast-tracking the development of the state.
He explained that the Quality Assurance law will help set standards for intending proprietors of schools in the state, “we can no longer have a situation where those who are not professionals just wake up and establish schools. With the new law, it is an offence for anyone to set up a school without following due process”, he stressed.
On the amended Transportation Law, the Assembly Leader stated that the new law will regulate activities of TIMARIV officials and curtail members of the public from assaulting the traffic officials.
The new law which is an amendment to an already subsisting transport law according to Hon. Lloyd has become pertinent due to numerous harassments faced by both the public and TIMARIV traffic marshals.
“We have made the culpability to be either way,” Lloyd said, “If we find out that a TIMARIV official assaults any member of the public unjustly, the person will go to jail for three months provided that it is proven that the official was reckless in the discharge of his duties”.
For the Handicap Law, the Assembly leader said the law was passed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, noting that a society that does not care for those with special needs is handicapped.
The law provides for the provision of facilities in public places for persons with disabilities, especially in car parks and other public places.
Earlier, Governor Amaechi commended the Assembly for passing the laws stating both arms of government are partners in the state development, and assured that his administration will continue to be transparent in its dealings.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.