The Senate on Wednesday passed the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.48 trillion.

This followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

Making the presentation, Chairman of the Committee and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said, “For the record, emergency rule is not a substitute for democratic governance in any political climate.

“Rather, it is an extraordinary constitutional measure intended to restore order in times of disorder, promote peace in periods of conflict and ensure stability where there is instability.”

He said that the invocation of emergency rule in Rivers State was not an arbitrary action, as some had alleged, but one rooted firmly in the provision of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He stated, “As you are all aware, these provisions legitimately empower both the president and the National Assembly to act in the interest of national stability and constitutional governance. Neither the president nor the National Assembly has violated any constitutional provision in the maintenance of national security with respect to the former or specifically in the exercise of our oversight powers guided by the 1999 Constitution to prevent executive absolutism.

“It is upon this premise that the Senate, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, deemed it necessary to constitute this ad hoc committee to oversee the implementation of the state of emergency rule in Rivers. In line with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws necessary for the peace, order and good governance of any state. This is where the House of Assembly is unable to perform its legislative functions due to prevailing circumstances. This provision directly applies to Rivers.’’

Mr Bamidele further said that the committee observed that the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill was consistent with the objectives of the emergency rule.

He added that this was as it sought to stabilise governance and ensure the continuity of essential public service in the state.

The Senate leader said that 72 per cent of the budget was allocated to capital projects, which are aimed at driving economic recovery and enhancing public sector efficiency.

He said, “The committee said that a N50 billion provision has been made in the current budget proposal to address the backlog of pensions and gratuity, which is estimated at N147 billion.”

Contributing, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended the chairman of the committee and the members on a good job

He said, “There is proof that he is the leader of the Senate because of the quality of the report.

There is nothing one can hide here. It is well-structured, properly put together and produced in the best manner possible.’’

Similarly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Solomon Adeola, said, “I looked at the recommendation of the committee, and I could see that from the observation, the budget is well structured, with 72 per cent of this budget due to capital expenditure.

“It is highly commendable. That shows that the interim government in Rivers State is committed to delivering dividends of democracy to the community.”

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Mr Akpabio, said, “Let me thank the leader of the Senate and all the members of the committee that worked on this. For especially expeditiously doing this for the good people of Rivers and, by extension, Nigeria. I pray that when these projects are executed, they will bring more dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers and lead to peace, development and prosperity.”

(NAN)