N1.48trn Rivers budget under scrutiny as reps committee demands details within 48 hours

By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-

House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on Rivers has given the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), a 48-hour ultimatum to submit the breakdown of major items in the N1.48 trillion budget.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, raised several issues with the budget, including the allocation of N24 billion for CCTV cameras, N30 billion for gun boats, and N23 billion for contingency reserves.

Ihonvbere said, “We need additional details for those allocations, we request details of the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last three months.

“That will enable us know your financial flows so that we can weigh it against the deficit in the budget in terms of financing it and carrying out some of the projects.”

The committee also questioned the allocation of state funds to existing federal projects without agreement with the Federal Government for refunds.

Ihonvbere added, “Those documents we have requested for must reach us within 48 hours; be rest assured that we are all on the same side in terms of getting Rivers working again.”

The Sole Administrator’s representative, Andrew Nweke, explained that the administration inherited many of the items in the budget and that the N30 billion earmarked for gun boats was to support security agencies in their fight against insecurity on the waterways. He also justified the N23 billion contingency fund, citing the state’s vulnerability to floods and other unforeseen circumstances.