Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for what he deemed as the postponement of the state’s MTEF submission, which covers the years 2026–2028.
The Speaker’s media aide, Martins Wachukwu, released a statement in which he claimed the document was submitted much later than the legally mandated deadline.
He claims that the budget framework was not delivered until considerably later in the year, despite the fact that it was due earlier in accordance with the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law.
Remember that Fubara presented the Rivers State House of Assembly with the MTEF, or Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, on Thursday? That’s right, from 2026 to 2028.
The Speaker said that the Assembly nonetheless opted to accept the document despite the delay because it was in the state’s best interest and to prevent more budgetary difficulties.
The budget plan was read and passed by the Rivers Assembly on Friday during plenary, less than 24 hours after it was brought before members.
As to Amaewhule’s statement, the MTEF is required by Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010 to be presented to the House in September, which is four months before to the beginning of the subsequent fiscal year.
A significant setback in the budget planning process, according to the Speaker, occurred because Governor Fubara disregarded that legal deadline.
It was late for the presentation. “However, the House felt it was necessary to consider the document—a precursor to the State’s 2026 Budget Estimate—despite the fact that the year is already halfway through, in order to serve the interests of the state,” he explained.