Title: Reps Query Ibas Over N1.48 Trillion Rivers Budget, Demand Answers Over Billions Allocated for CCTV, Gunboats & Contingency Date Published: 30 June 2025 Description: The House of Representatives has raised serious concerns over the N1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill submitted by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, with lawmakers demanding immediate clarifications on several questionable allocations.During the budget defence session held on Monday in Abuja, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo), who chairs the review committee and also serves as House Majority Leader, issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the submission of supporting documents justifying key items in the proposal.Among the top concerns flagged were:●N24 billion earmarked for a CCTV project●N30 billion set aside for gunboats procurement●N23 billion proposed as contingency reserves“We’ve reviewed the budget proposal, and there are serious concerns,” Ihonvbere said, stressing the need for transparency in the use of public funds. He also questioned allocations made toward federal government projects without formal reimbursement agreements and demanded clear data on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) over the past three months.“We expect details on transfers to local governments, especially how those funds are currently managed,” he added. “Our goal is to make Rivers work again. We want accountability, and we must protect the interests of the people—no matter how remote their communities are.”President Bola Tinubu was also commended during the session for his intervention in the prolonged political standoff in the state, which has kept the elected Executive and Legislature suspended.Representing the Sole Administrator, Mr. Andrew Nweke, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy, responded to the committee’s concerns, saying the administration inherited the current budget structure and that provisions were based on a needs assessment by relevant implementing agencies.Defending the controversial items, Nweke stated: “The Office of the Governor is one of honour and strategic importance. It deserves modern surveillance and security technology.”He noted that the N30 billion gunboat allocation was meant to strengthen security along Rivers’ waterways, while the contingency funds were reserved for responding to emergencies such as flooding.He assured the committee that all requested documents would be submitted within the deadline to aid legislative scrutiny.As the budget battle unfolds, all eyes remain on the National Assembly to ensure that public resources are deployed transparently and for the benefit of Rivers people.— Gist Reports  Attached Images: e0832de7ee3816551c4f30062aa37b65cd9554e0c9171037c340d63bc4496647.jpg Attached Video: None