Tensions are rising in Rivers State as civil servants and pro-governance groups issue a firm ultimatum to the state House of Assembly, demanding the immediate receipt and presentation of the 2025 budget by March 19, 2025. They argue that the prolonged delay is not only unjustified but also detrimental to the state’s economy and governance.
At a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, a coalition of concerned civil servants, alongside the Rivers Solidarity for Good Governance, accused lawmakers of deliberately stalling the budget process. Consequently, they warned that any further delays would spark mass protests across the state.
Workers Decry Legislative Inaction
Opu-Oyibo Lilly-West, speaking on behalf of the groups, described the legislative inaction as a direct attack on the livelihood of workers, market traders, and the broader community. According to her, the failure to receive the budget has already put public institutions at risk, making it difficult for essential services to function efficiently.
“Your blatant disregard for the urgent needs of our state has placed critical contracts, salaries, and economic stability at risk. Instead of fulfilling your responsibilities, you have chosen political spectacle over governance,” Lilly-West stated. As a result, thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet, while businesses face growing uncertainty.
The coalition further emphasized that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had already requested the budget’s submission. However, lawmakers have continued to stall the process, leading to mounting frustration among civil servants and residents alike. They described their demand as “a command backed by the righteous fury of thousands of civil servants, their families, and the broader community.”
Mass Protests Loom as Deadline Nears
Failure to meet the March 19 deadline, they warned, would result in statewide protests, with workers, unions, and affected residents taking to the streets in defiance. Furthermore, they stated that the growing unrest could disrupt public services and plunge the state into chaos.
“The tide of resistance will be unstoppable,” the groups declared. “The collective might of the civil service and the distressed voices of our people will rise against this gross negligence. This is not a threat, it is a promise of action.”
The coalition also urged lawmakers to end what they called “empty rhetoric and farcical political games” while taking swift action to ensure the state’s governance functions effectively.
With frustration growing rapidly among civil servants and the public, all eyes are now on the Rivers State House of Assembly as the March 19 deadline approaches. If the lawmakers fail to act, they risk facing a widespread backlash that could escalate into a major crisis.
