Business/Economy
Otu unveils ₦780.59 Billion Cross River's 2026 "Budget of Inclusive Growth"
Written By: Alaba Lambert
29 Oct 2025 03:27 AM
Calabar, Cross River – In a bold move to advance his "People First" agenda, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, presented a whopping ₦780.59 billion Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
Dubbed the "Budget of Inclusive Growth", the proposal marks a 17% surge from the 2025 fiscal year and prioritizes human capital development, rural empowerment, and infrastructure revival.
"This is no mere bureaucratic ritual—it's a sacred social contract with our people," declared Governor Otu while handing over the bill.
Ditching traditional GDP metrics, his administration will now track success via the Human Development Index (HDI)—focusing on "how much better our people live, learn, and thrive."
Key Highlights:
Launch of Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP):
Non-partisan aid for women, youth, elderly, and vulnerable groups.
Rural Power Revolution:
Solar mini-grids and streetlights to light up remote communities.
Health & Education Boost:
95% immunization coverage already achieved; more hospitals and schools ahead.
The budget emerged from broad consultations with civil society, private sector, NGOs, and citizens—ensuring every voice shapes Cross River's future.
Governor Otu hailed the outgoing "Budget of Sustainable Growth" (revised from ₦538B to ₦642B) as "one of Nigeria's best-performing," delivering:
Major Roads: Adiabo-Ikoneto, Esuk Utan-Depot dualization, Yahe-Ebo-Wanakom.
Wage Wins: National minimum wage implemented; retirees' gratuities cleared.
Digital Leap: Land administration digitized for faster services.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem pledged swift passage, praising Otu as "a listening leader." The 10th Assembly has already enacted 45 bills under his watch. Ayambem cheekily requested more funding to fix chronic power outages plaguing plenary sessions.
"This budget strengthens our revenue, drives human capital, and builds a prosperous, peaceful Cross River," Otu affirmed.
As the Assembly deliberates, all eyes are on this inclusive blueprint to deliver tangible dividends—from powered villages to empowered lives.
Dubbed the "Budget of Inclusive Growth", the proposal marks a 17% surge from the 2025 fiscal year and prioritizes human capital development, rural empowerment, and infrastructure revival.
"This is no mere bureaucratic ritual—it's a sacred social contract with our people," declared Governor Otu while handing over the bill.
Ditching traditional GDP metrics, his administration will now track success via the Human Development Index (HDI)—focusing on "how much better our people live, learn, and thrive."
Key Highlights:
Launch of Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP):
Non-partisan aid for women, youth, elderly, and vulnerable groups.
Rural Power Revolution:
Solar mini-grids and streetlights to light up remote communities.
Health & Education Boost:
95% immunization coverage already achieved; more hospitals and schools ahead.
The budget emerged from broad consultations with civil society, private sector, NGOs, and citizens—ensuring every voice shapes Cross River's future.
Governor Otu hailed the outgoing "Budget of Sustainable Growth" (revised from ₦538B to ₦642B) as "one of Nigeria's best-performing," delivering:
Major Roads: Adiabo-Ikoneto, Esuk Utan-Depot dualization, Yahe-Ebo-Wanakom.
Wage Wins: National minimum wage implemented; retirees' gratuities cleared.
Digital Leap: Land administration digitized for faster services.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem pledged swift passage, praising Otu as "a listening leader." The 10th Assembly has already enacted 45 bills under his watch. Ayambem cheekily requested more funding to fix chronic power outages plaguing plenary sessions.
"This budget strengthens our revenue, drives human capital, and builds a prosperous, peaceful Cross River," Otu affirmed.
As the Assembly deliberates, all eyes are on this inclusive blueprint to deliver tangible dividends—from powered villages to empowered lives.
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