Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law on Thursday in Port Harcourt after the State House of Assembly altered the spending proposal presented by him. The Assembly cut the proposed ₦6 billion allocation to PAMO University of Medical Sciences and reassigned part of the money to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board.
The signing took place at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, after lawmakers passed the budget earlier that day. The change to the university allocation was disclosed by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, during the presentation of the bill to Fubara for assent.
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Amaewhule said the Assembly reduced the allocation after PAMO University failed to give satisfactory explanations on how funds were used. He also said the university did not send representatives to appear before the lawmakers.
The decision gives the 2026 spending plan a different figure from the proposal first presented by Fubara in July. It also places primary healthcare among the areas that will receive part of the money taken from the university allocation.
Why lawmakers cut the university allocation
PAMO University of Medical Sciences is a private university where Rivers indigenes have received scholarships from the state government since the previous administration.
The Speaker said the Assembly’s action was based on its oversight responsibility over public funds. He said the lawmakers wanted accountability and transparency in the management of government money.
The Assembly also reassigned part of the reduced PAMO allocation to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board.
Amaewhule did not disclose the new amount approved for PAMO University or the exact sum sent to the healthcare board in the information provided.
The Assembly’s Majority Leader, Major Jack, said lawmakers had subjected the budget estimates to thorough scrutiny. He described the appropriation bill as an ambitious budget.
Jack said the review was carried out with the best of intentions and with the expectation that the budget would deliver the desired growth and development for Rivers State.
The Assembly passed the bill on Thursday before it was presented to Fubara for assent.
Fubara signs revised spending plan
The budget is titled the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”
Fubara presented a fiscal estimate of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76 to the Assembly in July. The proposal represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the revised 2025 financial figures.
The amount presented by the governor was not passed exactly as submitted because of the Assembly’s decision to reduce the PAMO allocation.
After signing the bill, Fubara said the budget would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation in Rivers State.
He said his administration’s commitment was focused on the progress and development of Rivers State. He also assured the State Assembly of a cordial and cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Fubara thanked God for making the occasion possible. He also described the signing as the beginning of a healthy relationship between the two arms of government.
The governor also acknowledged former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for facilitating the meeting and the progress that led to the budget’s passage and signing.
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