By Precious Amadi
A political stakeholder in Rivers State and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ernest Prince Masi has criticized the proposed allocation of ₦41.4 billion to the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a compromised budget that does not reflect the interests of the people.
Speaking in an interview with ExceedFM, Masi, argued that the amount earmarked for the State House of Assembly was excessive, particularly in light of the prolonged political crisis involving the legislature.
According to him, the allocation amounts to an affront to the people of Rivers State, who continue to grapple with economic challenges and expect greater investment in sectors that directly impact their welfare.
“The proposed allocation to the House of Assembly is not in the best interest of Rivers people. Considering the political instability that has characterized the legislature, such a huge budget raises serious concerns about the government’s priorities,” he said.
Ernest further alleged that governance in the state has deteriorated under the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, attributing the situation to the prolonged political disagreements between key actors in the state.
He maintained that the proposed budget would serve the interests of political office holders rather than address the pressing needs of ordinary citizens.
The political stakeholder urged the government to prioritize investments in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and job creation, insisting that public funds should be directed towards projects that would improve the living standards of Rivers residents.
His comments add to the growing public debate surrounding the state’s appropriation proposals and the allocation of public resources amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
