Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers, will appear before a joint National Assembly committee to defend the state’s 2025 budget.
Opeyemi Bamidele, chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee on emergency rule in Rivers, disclosed this on Tuesday at the panel’s inaugural meeting in Abuja.
The committee was set up following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in the state on March 18.
Bamidele said the budget, transmitted to the National Assembly last week through the president, will undergo joint scrutiny by lawmakers from both chambers.
“It is our understanding with our colleagues in the House of Representatives that the sole administrator and other relevant functionaries of the state will all appear before the joint ad-hoc committee of both chambers of the National Assembly when it is time for them to defend the 2025 budget,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the committee would ensure transparency, accountability, and continuity of governance during the emergency period.
The senator said key officials, including the accountant-general and permanent secretary of the ministry of finance, will also appear for the budget defence.
Bamidele said the committee has finalised its work plan and timeline for the process.
He maintained that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring Rivers residents are not shortchanged under the emergency arrangement.
