From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu presented a proposed budget of N498 billion for the 2025 fiscal year during a session of the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The budget allocates approximately 66% of its total to capital expenditure, amounting to N328 billion, while recurrent expenditure is set at N170 billion.
In his address, Governor Otu emphasized the budget’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring continuity in key projects that extend beyond the current fiscal cycle.
“We have deliberately placed emphasis on SDG 9—Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure; SDG 4—Quality Education; and SDG 3—Good Health and Well-being, among others,” he stated.
The breakdown of the budget includes significant allocations for infrastructure (N100 billion), education (N81 billion), and health (N25 billion). Other notable allocations include N20 billion for the judiciary, N18 billion for the House of Assembly, and funds earmarked for aviation, agriculture, tourism, and technology.
The governor highlighted a commitment to improving the state’s educational landscape, targeting an increase in literacy rates and prioritizing technical education. He reiterated the administration’s focus on free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary levels.
In health, the budget aims to bolster integrated care services and improve facilities to reduce mortality rates, especially among mothers and infants. “We will focus on providing essential medical equipment and supplies,” Otu noted.
Addressing food security, the governor emphasized the importance of agriculture, stating that achieving SDG 2—Zero Hunger—requires collaboration with both small-holder and mechanized farmers.
The budget includes initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity and establish agro-allied industries.
Governor Otu also underscored the need for a robust judiciary, expressing the administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial infrastructure to uphold justice for all citizens.
The budget is expected to be funded through federal allocations, grants from international organizations, and increased internally-generated revenue.
The governor’s vision aims to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents across Cross River State.