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Reps Give Rivers Sole Administrator 48-Hour Ultimatum Over N24bn CCTV Budget
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State has given the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), 48 hours to submit a detailed breakdown of allocations in the proposed 2025 budget, including a controversial N24 billion for CCTV installation at the Government House.
The directive was issued by committee chairman and House Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), during a budget defence session in Abuja.
Ihonvbere raised concerns over several items in the N1.48 trillion budget. He questioned the N24 billion CCTV allocation, N30 billion for gunboats, and N23 billion set aside as contingency reserves.
He also criticised the absence of the legally required Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and queried the use of state funds for federal projects without a refund agreement.
“We need additional details for those allocations. We request details of Internally Generated Revenue in the last three months to weigh it against the budget deficit,” Ihonvbere said. “We also need details of transfers to local governments — how those funds are being managed.”
He insisted the documents must be submitted within 48 hours, stressing the committee’s commitment to accountability and protecting the interests of all Rivers residents. Ihonvbere also praised President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace between the state’s Executive and Legislature.
Responding, Ibas — represented by Senior Special Assistant Andrew Nweke — said many budget items were inherited. He defended the g¥nboat allocation as support for security agencies, and the contingency fund as necessary to tackle flooding and emergencies.
On the CCTV project, Nweke said, “The office of the Governor is that of honour,” stressing the need for modern surveillance.
He assured the lawmakers that all requested documents would be submitted promptly.