Rivers State Executive Council Greenlights Massive ₦1.8tn 2026 ‘Budget of Resilience’ to Fast-Track Infrastructure and Healthcare Revolution

In a landmark move aimed at transforming the economic landscape of the “Treasure Base of the Nation,” the Rivers State Executive Council has approved a record-setting ₦1.8 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approval was granted during an intensive council session presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Tagged the “Budget of Resilience and Consolidation,” the fiscal plan represents the largest in the state’s history and signals an aggressive push toward finishing the massive infrastructural projects initiated in the last 24 months.

At the core of the 2026 agenda is the completion of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, a project the administration describes as the “spine” of the state’s future industrial expansion. Beyond asphalt and concrete, the budget earmarks unprecedented funds for the healthcare sector, specifically the equipping of the new General Hospitals and the expansion of the State Health Insurance Scheme.

“This budget is not just about numbers; it is about the resilience of our people,” Governor Fubara stated following the council meeting. “We are focusing on consolidation. Every project we have started must reach a stage of functional delivery in 2026. From our healthcare centers to our schools, the impact of the state’s wealth must be felt at every doorstep.”

The funding of the ₦1.8tn proposal is expected to rely heavily on the state’s expanding Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Government spokespersons highlighted that the recent integration with the national digital tax framework has plugged leakages, allowing the state to plan for more ambitious projects without overburdening the populace with debt.

Furthermore, the budget reinforces the administration’s “People First” policy. It includes a comprehensive package for the civil service, ensuring that the new minimum wage adjustments are fully funded and that the ₦100,000 festive bonus model of last year is sustained through social welfare interventions.

The document is now being prepared for presentation to the Rivers State House of Assembly. Political observers note that the size and scope of the budget will likely serve as a focal point for legislative debate as the state enters its first full budget cycle under the Governor’s new political alignment.

As Port Harcourt prepares for the legislative session, the message from the Brick House is clear: 2026 is intended to be the year that Rivers State cements its position as Nigeria’s premier destination for infrastructure and social development.