Ibas to appear before joint n’assembly panel over Rivers’ 2025 budget

Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers, is expected to appear before a joint committee of the national assembly to defend the state’s 2025 budget.

Opeyemi Bamidele, senator representing Ekiti central and chair of the senate ad hoc committee on emergency rule in Rivers, announced the planned appearance of Ibas on Tuesday during the panel’s inaugural meeting at the national assembly complex in Abuja.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio constituted the committee following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state on March 18.

Bamidele said both chambers of the national assembly have resolved to jointly scrutinise the budget submitted last week by Ibas through the president.

“It is our understanding with our colleagues in the house of representatives that the sole administrator and other relevant functionaries of the state will all appear before the joint ad hoc committee of both chambers of the national assembly when it is time for them to defend the 2025 budget at the National Assembly,” the senate leader said.

He added that the committee had developed its work plan and timeline to guide the budget defence process.

He listed key officials expected to accompany the sole administrator for the budget defence to include the state’s accountant-general, the permanent secretary of the ministry of finance, and other relevant officers managing Rivers’ economy.

Bamidele gave an assurance that the national assembly would exercise its oversight responsibility with diligence and fairness.

“As much as possible, the national assembly will ensure propriety in the discharge of our oversight functions,” he said.

“We will also ensure that governance does not suffer in Rivers state during the period of emergency rule.”

The senator said the inaugural meeting was necessary to activate the committee’s mandate and reaffirm the national assembly’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and accountability.

“The senate is committed to the rule of law as well as the tenets of democracy,” he said.

“I am also confident in the pedigree of the members of this ad hoc committee to deliver on the role of oversighting the activities of the sole administrator of Rivers state.”

He urged committee members to remain thorough and committed to ensuring that residents of Rivers are not shortchanged.

Other senators at the meeting were Tahir Munguno, chief whip of the senate; Peter Nwebonyi, deputy chief whip; Adamu Aliero, chairman of the committee on land transport; Sani Musa, chairman of the finance committee; Adetokunbo Abiru, chairman of the banking committee; and Oluranti Adebule, chairman of the humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction committee.

On May 19, Ibas said he was laying a foundation for good governance in Rivers state.

The sole administrator spoke in Port Harcourt while declaring open a four-day leadership training workshop for sustainable development.

“This administration is committed to building strong institutions, promoting efficiency, and fostering a results-driven public service,” Ibas said.

“We are laying the foundation for a culture of good governance — one that will serve not just the present generation but also those to come.”