The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has imposed a total shutdown on expenditure in the state, effective immediately.
This decision comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to present the 2024 budget before the House within the 7-day ultimatum given to him.
The Assembly has resolved that Governor Fubara is no longer authorized to approve or authorize expenditure from the state’s consolidated revenue fund.
Additionally, Ministries are not permitted to spend public funds until the 2024 budget is presented.
This development follows a previous incident in December 2023, where Governor Fubara signed the 2023 budget of 800 billion naira into law after presenting it to the lawmakers, who were then led by former factional speaker, Mr. Edison Ehie.
Mr. Ehie has since resigned from his position as a lawmaker and now serves as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, leaving his faction under the leadership of Mr. Oko Jumbo.
