News
Fubara Presents N800bn 2024 Budget To Rivers Assembly …Ehie Declares 25 Defected Lawmakers’ Seat Vacant
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday presented an appropriation bill of N8000billion for 2024 to the State House of Assembly.
The budget presentation took place within the Rivers Government House following Wednesday’s demolition of the State House of Assembly complex by the State government.
The Assembly complex was demolished early Wednesday morning due to structural defects it suffered following the fire incident which razed the chamber in October and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
Fubara, while reading the budget estimate of N800billion, said the bill was christened, ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity.’
A breakdown of the budget showed that N410billion was allocated to capital expenditure, representing 51 per cent while over N361billion was allocated to recurrent expenditure, representing 49 per cent of the budget.
Fubara said the 2024 budget proposal was anchored on the assumptions of the crude oil price benchmark being $70/barrel at 1.5 million barrels per day production, with an exchange rate of N750 to the dollar.
According to him, the budget will be funded from internally generated revenue, Federation Account Allocation Committee receipts, 13 per cent oil derivation fund, Value Added Tax, Excess Crude, and grants from development agencies.
The governor said, “Our total projected revenue for the year 2024 is N800,392,485,433.1 as proposed 2024 budget estimate. This includes recurrent expenditure, N361,998,242,570.85; capital expenditure is N410,266,485,90.64.”
Fubara explained that great care would be taken to promote economic development through inclusive growth, provision of critical infrastructure that would support economic activities, businesses, and social activities, enabling environment for private sector-led industrialisation, job creation, and poverty alleviation.
Stating the objective of the budget, Governor Fubara said, “the overall policy objectives of the 2024 budget are to promote economic development in the State through inclusive growth, the provision of critical infrastructure to support economic, business, and social activities, and the creation of an enabling environment for private sector-led industrialization, job creation and poverty reduction.
“We will strive to address the challenges of socio-economic inequalities by ensuring improved access to quality and affordable education, healthcare, water, electricity, housing, social investments, gender empowerment and social inclusion.
“This accounts for the reasonably high allocations in the 2024 capital budget to infrastructure, education, healthcare, social development, environment, sustainable development and agriculture.
“With these funds, we will build more road networks to interconnect the State, rehabilitate, equip, train and staff all dilapidated primary and secondary schools, build technical and vocational education centres, and allocate more funds to our tertiary schools to improve the quality of teaching, learning and research.
“We will also rehabilitate, equip and staff dilapidated primary healthcare facilities, restore, equip, and staff all our general hospitals, complete, equip and staff all five zonal hospitals, implement socially beneficial healthcare schemes, and introduce social investment schemes to fight poverty, social exclusion, and gender discrimination.
“Given the importance of the judiciary in the advancement of the rule of law, economic growth, and social accountability, we have also improved the allocation for the funding of the judiciary, law, and justice sectors in this budget to achieve effective and speedy dispensation of justice in the State.
“We will ensure that accessed local and international credits are used only for capital projects that would benefit economic growth, give attention to the completion of ongoing projects before embarking on new ones, and grow the economy through targeted investments in areas of comparative economic advantage, including commercial agriculture, electricity generation, renewable energy, oil and gas, housing, and sports development.
“We will also provide our young people with the skills and tools they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy and to ensure that education and healthcare are accessible to all regardless of background and means.”
The House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, thanked the governor for what he termed a ‘very elaborate budget speech’.
Ehie said, “In line with the provisions of the constitution, you have presented today to the House, the appropriation Bill 2024. Your Excellency, you are aware that the primary responsibility of government is the welfare and security of the people.
“We therefore appreciate you wholeheartedly for keying into the requirements of the constitution by aligning yourself with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government anchored by our President, Bola Tinubu, and on consolidation and continuity with regards to achievements of successive administrations.”
Ehie, during the session, said the complex was due for repairs following the explosion that rocked the building on October 30, 2023, adding that the governor would provide an alternative place for the lawmakers to sit in the meantime.
In a statement, the Ehie-led lawmakers said the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly had relocated to the State Government House, Port Harcourt, as an alternative sitting place following the ongoing renovation of the Assembly complex.
It stated that at the resumed sitting, the House of Assembly elected Adolphus Timothy Orubienimigha, a member, representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency, as the leader.
The Ehie-led Assembly had, before the arrival of the governor, met and declared vacant the seats of the 25 members that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.
The speaker declared the seats of 25 out of the 27 PDP lawmakers who recently defected to the APC vacant in line with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Ehie, while responding to the motion to declare the seats of their colleagues who cross carpeted said “This House received correspondents in notices, communications, including letters from 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly of their formal defection from the PDP to the APC.
“We have also confirmed this through videos that were posted via media houses and social media. We are aware that it is the right of members and every Nigerian with regard to association.
“While we respect that constitutional right, we are also mindful as a legislative assembly of our allegiance to the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and our oath of office to defend the Constitution which is the ground norm of the country and the authority which every other law derives its power.
“Therefore, as a legislative assembly with leadership, I’m aware that the actions of these honourable members’ colleagues of the House who have been on suspension are a gross violation of the constitution, which provides that a member of this State House of Assembly shall only defect to another party other than the party under which they were elected to the House where there is a division or crisis in the parent party.
“We are aware that there is no division or crisis in our great party, the PDP, and therefore the provision of section 109 sub-1 paragraph G of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended attracts a vacation of the seats of these honourable members of the House.”
He added, “Consequently, distinguished colleagues, the House having deliberated formally on the motion before it in line with our standing order and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby declare the seats of the affected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly vacant.
“Distinguished colleagues, the House will duly inform the Independent National Electoral Commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the need to conduct fresh election to fill the above vacant seats within the time frame provided by the law.
”The House as it stands now is only left with six legitimate and constitutionally recognized members. And in line with the 1999 constitutionally precisely session 102, the House will effectively continue to discharge its responsibility of legislation, representation and oversight notwithstanding vacancies in the membership of the Assembly.”
Recall that on Monday, 27 PDP members defected to the APC, citing division within the PDP at the national level.
By: Boye Salau & Soibi Max-Alalibo
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo