Speaker Martin Amaewhule and the Rivers State House of Assembly have issued an order to halt all spending in the state.
This action was taken because Governor Siminalayi Fubara did not present the 2024 budget to the House within the given 7-day deadline.
The Assembly has decided that the Governor cannot approve any spending from the state’s revenue fund. Moreover, the Ministries are not allowed to use public funds until the 2024 budget is presented.
This recent development stems from a contentious budget signing in December 2023. During that time, the Governor signed a budget worth 800 billion naira into law without presenting it to the current leadership of the Assembly.
The budget was presented to the lawmakers by Edison Ehie, who was previously a factional speaker but now serves as the Governor’s Chief of Staff.
There has been a shift in the Assembly’s leadership, with Oko Jumbo assuming the role as the leader of the faction that supports the Governor.
