The Sole Administrator of Rivers State has installed CCTV inside the Rivers State Government House worth ₦24bn

 

House of Reps Committee Probes N24 Billion CCTV Budget in Rivers, Demands Full Financial Breakdown

Tensions rose in Abuja as the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the political situation in Rivers State raised significant concerns over a series of controversial financial allocations in the state’s proposed 2025 budget. At the center of the dispute is a staggering N24 billion earmarked for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems at the Government House in Port Harcourt, a provision the committee deemed excessive and in need of urgent clarification.

Chairing the session was Rep. Julius Ihonvbere of the All Progressives Congress (APC-Edo), who also serves as the House Majority Leader. During Monday’s budget defence proceedings, Ihonvbere issued a firm 48-hour ultimatum to the state’s leadership, instructing them to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the CCTV project and other contentious budget items. He stressed that transparency and fiscal responsibility must remain at the core of governance, especially during turbulent political times.

Beyond the CCTV allocation, lawmakers expressed dismay over other significant expenditures outlined in the N1.48 trillion Appropriation Bill. These include N30 billion set aside for the acquisition of gunboats, and a N23 billion contingency provision with little explanation attached. Ihonvbere made it clear that the committee found multiple entries in the budget that raised red flags and called for a complete review of the state's financial planning process.

Budgeting in Rivers State, according to Ihonvbere, cannot be conducted in isolation from legal frameworks. He highlighted the importance of submitting the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) as required by law, which should guide any meaningful budget presentation. That document, he emphasized, was still missing and must be presented within the same 48-hour timeframe.

Concerns were also raised over allocations made to federal government projects that lacked reimbursement agreements. Lawmakers questioned the rationale for using state funds on federally managed initiatives without a structured mechanism for recovering those funds. Additionally, the committee demanded transparency regarding Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) over the past quarter, pressing for detailed records to compare actual income against the state’s projected deficit.

“There are expectations of proper governance and accountability. The people of Rivers State deserve clarity on how public resources are being managed. Every project, every allocation must be justified. We are not here to witch-hunt, but we are here to protect the interests of Nigerians regardless of their location,” Ihonvbere told state representatives.

Special attention was also directed to how transfers to local governments are handled. The committee requested records showing how funds are distributed and managed at the grassroots level, insisting that no part of the state should remain in the dark when it comes to budget transparency.

In response, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was represented by Mr. Andrew Nweke, his Senior Special Assistant on Strategy and Policy. Nweke attempted to defend the controversial budget allocations, noting that the present administration inherited the budget framework and had merely built upon the foundation left by previous leadership.

He described the CCTV investment as a security imperative, underscoring the strategic importance of the Governor’s Office in the broader governance and administrative structure. “The Office of the Governor is not only symbolic but central to leadership and stability. It requires sophisticated surveillance infrastructure to ensure its safety and operational effectiveness,” he said.

On the N30 billion allocated for gunboats, Nweke clarified that the funds were meant to enhance the operational capacity of security agencies combating piracy, militancy, and other crimes in the state’s complex network of rivers and creeks. He added that the N23 billion contingency provision was designed to address recurrent emergencies, including flood management and public health crises.

Nweke assured the committee that all documents and details demanded would be delivered within the stipulated 48-hour window, affirming the administration’s willingness to cooperate with federal oversight functions.

Despite the explanations, committee members remained firm in their position that detailed scrutiny was necessary to ensure public accountability. Several lawmakers used the opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his timely mediation in the ongoing political standoff between the suspended Executive and Legislature in Rivers State, calling his intervention a stabilizing move that set the tone for constitutional order.

The unfolding inquiry into the Rivers budget is expected to intensify in the coming days as the House of Representatives moves to establish a clearer picture of how state funds are being appropriated and managed. The committee’s final report could carry implications not only for budgetary revisions but also for broader governance reforms in the state.