𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝟕𝟖𝟎.𝟔𝐛𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has presented a ₦780.59 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Inclusive Growth” that aims to consolidate his administration’s People First philosophy.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill before lawmakers on Tuesday in Calabar, Otu said he approached the exercise “with a profound sense of duty, obligation, and determination to the development of our dear state.”

He described the annual budget presentation as more than a bureaucratic ritual, calling it “a sacred social contract between government and the governed — a public declaration of collective intent to enhance the well-being of our people.”

Unveiling his 2026 fiscal vision, the governor said the budget was the product of “wide-ranging consultations with civil society, private sector players, NGOs, and the general public,” adding that the state would henceforth measure progress through the Human Development Index rather than the Gross Domestic Product.

“We will judge progress by how much better our people live, learn, and thrive. Our focus in 2026 will be to expand access to education, healthcare, and electricity for rural entrepreneurs,” Otu said.

He disclosed plans to operationalise the Cross River Social Investment Programme, a non-political, multi-sectoral framework designed to empower the elderly, women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

The ₦780.59 billion proposed budget represents a 17 per cent increase over the 2025 figure. Of the total, ₦519.6 billion (67 per cent) is earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦260.96 billion (33 per cent) is for recurrent spending.

According to the governor, the sectoral allocation includes ₦421 billion for the economic sector, ₦163 billion for social services, ₦164 billion for general administration, ₦28 billion for law and justice, and ₦3.6 billion for regional development.

“This budget is designed to strengthen our revenue base, drive human capital development, and secure a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Cross River State,” Otu said.

Reflecting on the 2025 fiscal performance, the governor noted that the Budget of Sustainable Growth was revised from ₦538 billion to ₦642 billion following improved revenue inflows and prudent resource management.

He emphasised his administration’s adherence to due process, stating that no extra funds were spent without legislative appropriation.

The supplementary budget, he explained, became necessary to address urgent road repairs, rural electrification, and counterpart funding for key national and international projects.

He cited the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative as one such intervention, describing it as crucial in combating preventable deaths among mothers and infants.