Investigations by Eastern Herald has revealed that the Rivers State government has spent a whooping N15.5 Billion Naira on the renovation and maintainance of his residence and related facilities in the Rivers State Government House since May, 2023.
Our investigations revealed that the approved 2025 budget for the Rivers State government earmarked the sum of N3.5 billion for renovation of governor’s residence.
This budget is despite the fact that a sum of N3.2billion was spent on the same renovation of the residence between January and June 2024, per details in the budget document released by the state government.
Another sum of N1.164 billion was spent in the 2023 fiscal year on renovating the same governor’s residence.
Another N2.6 billion was budgeted for renovating Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s office building.
Also a sum of N1.5billion was earmarked for renovating the First Lady’s office building under the tag “Renovating her Excellency Office Building”.
Other planned expenditures include N350 million for buying canteen/kitchen equipment at the Staff Canteen in the government house.
A sum of N1.5 billion was earmarked for renovation of banquet hall of government house, rehabilitation of new presidential lodge residential building is expected to gulp N1.8 billion, renovation of number 4 Eleme Guest house is expected to gulp N1.311 billion, renovation of government house jetty is earmarked for N610 million, renovation of government house auditorium is planned for N1.2 billion.
There have been concerns on prudence in expenditure by state governments. This concerns come amid developmental challenges facing states in the country.
On the domestic front Rivers State owes N389 billion as of September 30,2024. There are 2.52 million poor persons in Rivers State, 77% of households in Rivers State lack access to sanitary facilities ,58% of households lack access to clean drinking water.