Abuja: The Senate, on Wednesday, passed the Rivers 2025 Appropriation Bill of N1.48 trillion. This decision followed the presentation and consideration of the report by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Chairman of the Committee and Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasized that emergency rule is not a substitute for democratic governance, but an extraordinary constitutional measure aimed to restore order, promote peace, and ensure stability. He clarified that the invocation of emergency rule in Rivers was in accordance with section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, empowering the President and the National Assembly to act for national stability and constitutional governance.

Sen. Bamidele explained that neither the President nor the National Assembly had violated constitutional provisions in maintaining national security. The Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, established the ad hoc committee to oversee the emergency rule's implementation in Rivers, as guided by the 1999 Constitution.

He further detailed that the 2025 Rivers Appropriation Bill aligns with the emergency rule's objectives, focusing on stabilizing governance and ensuring essential public services' continuity. The budget allocates 72 percent to capital projects, aiming to drive economic recovery and enhance public sector efficiency. Additionally, a provision of N50 billion was included to address a backlog of pensions gratuity estimated at N147 billion.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, praised the committee's work, affirming the quality and structure of the report as exemplary. Sen. Solomon Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, also commended the budget's structure and its focus on capital expenditure, reflecting the interim government's commitment to delivering democracy's benefits to Rivers' community.

In his closing remarks, President of the Senate, Akpabio, expressed gratitude toward the committee for expeditiously addressing the budget, hopeful that the resultant projects would bring peace, development, and prosperity to Rivers and Nigeria at large.