Abuja, 30 June 2025 – The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State has issued a stern 48-hour ultimatum to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, demanding a detailed explanation for the proposed allocation of N24 billion (£12.8 million) for CCTV installation at the Government House in the state’s 2025 budget.
The directive came during a budget defence session in Abuja, where the committee, chaired by Majority Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, scrutinised the N1.48 trillion appropriation bill presented by the Sole Administrator. The substantial sum earmarked for CCTV cameras raised eyebrows, prompting the committee to request a comprehensive breakdown of the expenditure.
Ihonvbere, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Edo, also questioned other significant allocations, including N30 billion for gunboats and N23 billion for contingency reserves. He stressed the need for transparency, stating, “We have gone through the budget as presented, and several issues have been raised. The Sole Administrator must provide a detailed justification for these sums within 48 hours.”
The committee further instructed Ibas to submit the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a legal requirement under the 1999 Constitution that should precede budget presentations. Concerns were also raised about the allocation of state funds to federal projects without prior agreements for refunds, as well as the management of local government funds and the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) over the past three months.
Representing Ibas, Andrew Nweke, Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy, defended the budget, arguing that it reflected the needs of Rivers State residents based on assessments by implementation agencies. Nweke explained that the N24 billion for CCTV installation was necessary to ensure “modern technology security surveillance” for the Governor’s office, which he described as a position of honour. He also justified the N30 billion for gunboats, citing the need to combat insecurity on the state’s waterways, and the N23 billion contingency fund to address floods and other unforeseen challenges.
However, the committee remained unconvinced, with Ihonvbere emphasising accountability. “We are committed to ensuring Rivers State works again,” he said. “Our goal is to promote transparency and protect the interests of all residents, no matter how remote they are from the state capital.”
The ultimatum has sparked widespread discussion, with many Nigerians questioning the prioritisation of such a large sum for CCTV installation amid pressing socio-economic challenges.
