The Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill, presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the House of Assembly on July 10, has passed the second reading.

The Assembly reportedly gave the bill a second reading on Tuesday after a robust debate on its major components.

The lawmakers reconvened two days after Fubara, accompanied by elder statesman Dr Sam Sam Jaja, held talks with Wike in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The outcome of the meeting reportedly paved the way for the lawmakers to resume consideration of the budget.

Commenting on the Appropriation Bill, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” Speaker Martin Amaewhule recalled that Fubara presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House about six weeks ago.

Amaewhule, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu, said that since then, various House committees had been dissecting the components of the budget estimate.

He added that the House would conduct detailed legislative scrutiny and oversight to ensure judicious utilisation of appropriated funds.

Amaewhule urged the House committees to ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the House’s legislative competence were invited to the budget defence session.

Earlier, leading the debate after the Second Reading of the Bill, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, harped on the revenue framework of the estimate, stressing that with proper legislative input, the bill as christened would engender speedy development. (The Nation)