The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara over what he described as the late submission of the state’s 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), saying the delay contravened the timeline stipulated in the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law.

Amaewhule made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Martins Wachukwu, a day after the House approved the spending framework during plenary.

Governor Fubara had on Thursday transmitted the 2026–2028 MTEF to the House of Assembly, where it was read before lawmakers.

The Assembly approved the document on Friday, less than 24 hours after its presentation.

According to the Speaker, Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010 requires the executive to lay the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework before the House in September, at least four months before the commencement of the next fiscal year.

He said the governor failed to comply with the legal provision, resulting in a significant delay in the state’s budget planning process.

“The presentation was late.

But in the interest of the state, the House deemed it expedient to consider the document, which is a precursor to the State’s 2026 Budget Estimate, even though the year is already half gone,” Amaewhule said.

Despite raising concerns over the timing of the submission, the Speaker said lawmakers resolved to approve the framework to avoid further disruptions to the preparation and passage of the 2026 budget.

The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is a key fiscal policy document that outlines the government’s projected revenue, expenditure and macroeconomic assumptions over a three-year period. It serves as the foundation for the annual budget.

The approval of the MTEF paves the way for the presentation and consideration of the Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill by the House of Assembly. (Guardian)