Following a request by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the approval of a supplementary budget, the Rivers State House of Assembly debated the topic and passed the first reading.
Fubara filed a N200 billion additional budget proposal to the House earlier this month in order to complete some infrastructure works in the state.
Former Deputy Speaker and current House Leader Edison Ehie read the letter in plenary on Friday and asked that the House consider the request.
The Speaker’s letter to the House, read in plenary by Martins Amaewhule, notably referenced the construction of the Port Harcourt ring road, for which financing was not included in the 2023 budget.
After some consultation, the Speaker declared the letter had passed the first reading.
Meanwhile, some students from the University of Port Harcourt protested outside the House, demanding that the Speaker intervene and ask the governor to fulfil his promise to pay them bursaries.
The Speaker promised to do something about it, as he commended the students on their boldness.