From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, on Tuesday presented a ₦780.59 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as a “Budget of Inclusive Growth” aimed at deepening human development and consolidating his administration’s People First agenda.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill before the State House of Assembly, Governor Otu said the annual budget exercise represents “a sacred social contract between government and the governed,” adding that his administration approached the 2026 plan with broad consultations across civil society, the private sector, NGOs, and community groups.
He announced a major policy shift in measuring development progress—moving from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Human Development Index (HDI).
“We will judge progress by how much better our people live, learn, and thrive,” he stated, stressing expanded access to education, healthcare, electricity, and social protection as core priorities for 2026.
Under the proposal, capital expenditure takes ₦519.6 billion (67%), while recurrent spending accounts for ₦260.96 billion (33%). Sectoral allocations include ₦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.
Governor Otu also unveiled plans to operationalise the Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP), which will support the elderly, women, youths, and vulnerable groups through what he described as a “non-political, multi-sectoral framework.”
Reflecting on the 2025 fiscal year, he disclosed that the previous Budget of Sustainable Growth was revised upward from ₦538 billion to ₦642 billion due to improved revenue inflows. He emphasised the administration’s transparency, noting:
“We cannot spend an extra kobo without the legal instrument of appropriation.”
Otu said the supplementary budget funded urgent road repairs, rural electrification projects, and counterpart contributions for national and international development programmes. He also highlighted the introduction of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative.
He reported strong gains in the 2025 budget performance, crediting the state’s top national ranking—95 percent—in routine immunisation coverage as evidence that the People First agenda is delivering results.
Ongoing infrastructure projects include the Adiabo–Ikoneto Road, the Esuk Utan–Depot Road dualisation, and the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakom–Wanikade axis.
The governor further noted advancements in power and health sectors, including solar-powered streetlights, rural mini-grids, upgraded health facilities, and progress on the new General Hospital in Ikom.
“Every School of Nursing in Cross River has now met accreditation standards,” he affirmed.
On major state projects, he revealed that construction at the Obudu Passenger and Cargo Airport has reached an advanced stage, while negotiations for the Bakassi Deep Seaport continue.
“We are not just providing infrastructure—we are building the future,” he said.
Governor Otu also highlighted administrative improvements, including implementation of the national minimum wage across all tiers, payment of gratuities, digitisation of land administration, and extension of fibre-optic connectivity across MDAs to boost service delivery.