By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-
The Senate has pledged to monitor the sector-by-sector implementation of the 2025 Rivers State budget to ensure transparency, accountability, and meaningful development in the state.
Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Oversight of Rivers Emergency, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the commitment during the defence of the 2025 budget of Rivers State by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
“We will track how allocated resources are utilised project by project, sector by sector, to guarantee transparency and uphold accountability in the use of public funds,” Bamidele said.
“Our objective is to ensure that approved funds translate into meaningful development and that deviations or delays are addressed promptly in the overriding public interest.”
Bamidele emphasized that the committee’s oversight responsibility goes beyond the budget defence session and will continue to assess the performance of the budget in the coming months.
“We shall assess the performance of the budget by closely monitoring disbursements, execution timelines, and delivery outcomes,” he added.
The senator noted that the structure of the 2025 Rivers budget shows that more funds were budgeted for capital projects, with N1.72 trillion allocated for capital expenditure, accounting for 72.43% of the total expenditure.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the budget delivers improved roads, healthcare, education, safety, and livelihoods for the people of Rivers.
Ibas, in his presentation, said the budget reflects a strategic repositioning of Rivers for sustainable growth, social cohesion, and a renewed contract between government and its people.
“The 2025 N1.8 trillion Rivers Government budget was designed to address the needs of the people of Rivers,” he added.
The Senate’s commitment to monitoring the budget implementation is aimed at ensuring that the funds are utilized effectively and efficiently to drive meaningful development in the state.
