APC fumes as Fubara signs budget passed by 4-member Rivers Assembly

The All Progressives Congress, APC has described the signing into law of Rivers’ 2024 appropriation bill passed by Governor Gov.Siminalayi Fubara as unconstitutional.

Fubara presented the N800 billion budget to a four-member faction of the Rivers House of Assembly led by Edison Ehie on Wednesday morning.

The lawmakers passed the budget after the Speaker declared the seat of the 27 other members who had a day before dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for All Progressives Congress, APC vacant.

The lawmakers were believed to have passed the budget in less than 24 hours.

However, APC had faulted Fubara’s budget presentation to the four-man state House of Assembly.

Mr Tony Okocha, the state APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the action was unconstitutional.

Okocha said that Section 120(2) of the Constitution clearly stated that no money shall be spent except it was appropriated by the state House of Assembly.

‘’The presentation of a bill to 4 suspended members of the House of Assembly does not fulfil the requirements of the constitution for all the reasons stated,’’ he said.

Nevertheless, Fubara signed the N800 billion 2024 budget into law, barely 24 hours after it was presented to a four-man State House of Assembly for approval on Thursday.

Speaking at the ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara said that the budget would provide the framework for his administration to undertake notable road projects that would connect communities across the state.

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“This budget shows that we have a plan for our dear state. One of the reasons why our budget is in the volume of N800 billion is that we intend not just by desiring, to ensure that one key request of our dear state is met.

“God being our helper, we will commence immediately, by next year, flagging off the actual and main Trans-Kalabari road project phase 2.

“We have also in our budget provided to take care of the Elele-Omoku Road project that cuts through Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

“We are also taking that project as one of our cardinal achievements of this administration, we are not going back on it,” he said.

The governor assured that no effort would be spared in executing all the projects in the 2024 budget.

He said that the budget would make positive impact on the lives of the people of the state.

“I want to assure you that this administration has the best interest of our people. It is an administration that wants everyone to have hope.

“We have keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President Bola Tinubu to continue to assure our people of hope, so the best of us will be seen by everyone.

“We will continue to protect the interest of our people, do the best for everyone, not minding your position or class. Our government is a responsive and inclusive government. Our eyes and ears are open to the needs of our people. We will not disappoint you,” Fubara said.

Chief Adolphus Orubienimigha, the leader of the four-man State House of Assembly, while presenting the budget for ascent, said that the lawmakers gave due diligence before passing the budget.

Also the factional speaker of the House, Mr Edison Ehie, said that the budget was in line with developmental goals of the government.

APC fumes as Fubara signs budget passed by 4-member Rivers Assembly