For the first time in over a year, the Rivers State government, currently under the control of Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has failed to release its quarterly budget performance report.
These reports, which detail how government funds are spent, are usually made public within 30 days after each quarter ends.
Rivers State had consistently published these documents from the end of 2023 through all of 2024.
However, the report for January to March 2025 has not been released.
This development comes after President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, and appointed Ibas as sole administrator in March 2025.
According to the 2025 budget estimates, Rivers is expected to receive N279.5 billion from the federal government within the first six months of Ibas’ administration.
Alongside a target of N132 billion in internally generated revenue, this gives the administrator control of over N400 billion in six months.
Previously, the state generated N164 billion in revenue from January to June 2024 and received N209 billion from federal allocations during the same period.
The higher 2025 figures are linked to anticipated national revenue increases.
Concerns have been raised about how the sole administrator is managing this significant amount of money.
Former governor Rotimi Amaechi criticised the federal government’s actions, claiming that the ongoing conflict between Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike revolves around who controls the state’s funds.
He also condemned the emergency declaration as unconstitutional and questioned why the public hasn’t demanded more transparency from the parties involved.
