The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State has raised alarm over the proposed allocation of ₦24 billion for CCTV installations at the Rivers State Government House, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to provide a detailed budget breakdown.
At a budget defence session in Abuja on Monday, the committee—chaired by House Majority Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo)—grilled the administrator’s team over controversial allocations in the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Ihonvbere specifically questioned the justification for ₦24 billion earmarked for CCTV installations, ₦30 billion for gun boats, and ₦23 billion for contingency reserves. He also demanded the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which he noted is a prerequisite legal document before any budget proposal.
“We need additional details for those allocations, we request details of state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last three months to 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,” Ihonvbere said.
The committee also queried the allocation of state funds to federal projects without formal reimbursement agreements, and called for transparency in how local government allocations are being managed.
“We also need details of transfers to local governments, essentially how local government funds that come into the state are being managed at the moment.
“Those documents we have requested must reach us within 48 hours; be rest assured that we are all on the same side in terms of getting Rivers working again.
“We want to ensure that we will promote a lot of accountability and ensure that the interest of the people themselves, no matter how remote they are from the state capital, are protected,” Ihonvbere added.
He further commended President Bola Tinubu for brokering peace between the suspended Executive and Legislature in Rivers State.
Responding on behalf of Ibas, the Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy, Andrew Nweke, defended the allocations, stating that many of the budgetary items were inherited.
According to Nweke, “The budget is a reflection of the interest of Rivers people,” adding that the ₦30 billion gun boat allocation was intended to support security agencies combating insecurity on the state’s waterways.
He also explained the ₦23 billion contingency fund, noting, “Rivers is often hit by floods, insecurity and other unforeseen natural circumstances.”
On the ₦24 billion earmarked for CCTV installation in the Government House, Nweke argued: “The office of the Governor is that of honour,” stressing the importance of modern security infrastructure.
He assured the committee that all requested documents would be submitted promptly to aid the legislative process.
