A day after presenting the N800 billion 2024 Appropriations Bill to five of the thirty-six state legislators, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara officially signed it into law.
On December 13, Fubara presented the bill before the four-member House of Assembly, led by Speaker Edison Ehie. Fubara reportedly signed the budget at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The signing ceremony took place at the Government House conference room, which is part of the governor’s office.
At the ceremony, the deputy governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, was accompanied by members of the State Executive Council, as well as a number of local government area chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party and former and current legislators who backed Governor Fubara.
In his speech, the governor emphasized his dedication to carrying out the N800 billion “Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation, and Continuity.” The principal objective is to finance necessary infrastructure—which includes the second section of the Trans-Kalabari road, in order to meet the community’s socioeconomic needs.
The budget estimates were given by the governor to five members, led by Ehie, on Wednesday following the contentious demolition of the Assembly structure.
The seats of the 27 members of the Ehie-group who switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress had also been declared vacant.
There is now a legal dispute between Ehie and Martins Amaewhule for Speakership.
