Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers, has written a letter to the state House of Assembly, requesting a new date for presentation of 2025 appropriation bill.
Fubara in the letter dated March 13, proposed Wednesday or any date in March convenient to the lawmakers for presentation of the budget.
The Rivers Governor said he and his entourage were denied access to Rivers assembly complex on Wednesday, despite prior notice.
Fubara added that his actions comply with the supreme court judgment of February 28 that ordered presentation of the budget to the assembly.
The letter reads, “Recall further that before this unfortunate incident (referring to the Wednesday blockade), the house issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled orders.”
“Therefore, we were simply complying with both the order of the supreme court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.”
“The supreme court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our State and the well-being of our people.”
“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our people should take priority over political conflicts.”
“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 by 11.00 am. or any other date within March 2025 that you may consider convenient.”
