Cross River State has significantly expanded its 2025 fiscal plan with Governor Bassey Otu signing a N104 billion supplementary budget into law on Tuesday, increasing the stateโs total budget for the year to N642 billion.
The revised budget, described by the governor as a “strategic and deliberate intervention,” is designed to address pressing economic challenges while accelerating development in critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and energy.
The signing ceremony, held at the State Executive Chambers in Calabar, marked a pivotal moment in the administrationโs economic strategy. Governor Otu emphasised that the additional funding would be channelled towards completing key infrastructure projects, enhancing agricultural productivity, improving healthcare and education services, and strengthening security across the state. “This supplementary appropriation will reposition our state for accelerated growth.Every kobo will be spent prudently for the benefit of all Cross Riverians”, he said.
The governor also commended the State House of Assembly for swiftly passing the bill, ensuring minimal delays in implementation.
In addition to the supplementary budget, Governor Otu assented to three critical pieces of legislation aimed at improving governance and service delivery. The Cross River State Counterpart Funds (Amendment) Law 2025 introduces stricter measures for managing donor and counterpart funding, enhancing transparency and efficiency in financial operations.
The Cross River State Roads Funds Law 2025 establishes a dedicated financing mechanism for the development and maintenance of rural and semi-urban roads, a move expected to boost connectivity and stimulate local economies. Perhaps the most transformative of the new laws is the Cross River State Electricity Law 2025, which provides a legal framework for state-level power generation and distribution, aligning with recent constitutional amendments that empower states to regulate their own electricity markets.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, praised the governorโs fiscal discipline and vision, noting that the supplementary budget and accompanying laws were carefully designed to align with constitutional provisions while prioritising sectors crucial to the stateโs development. “These laws and the budget expansion reflect our collective commitment to governance, economic growth, and social welfare,” Ayambem said. He assured continued legislative support to ensure the administrationโs development agenda is fully realised.
The expanded budget comes at a time when Cross River State is seeking to overcome infrastructural deficits and stimulate economic recovery. With N642 billion now allocated for the fiscal year, the government has signalled its intention to pursue ambitious projects, including road rehabilitation, healthcare facility upgrades, and investments in renewable energy. The Roads Fund, in particular, is expected to address long-standing complaints about poor rural connectivity, while the Electricity Law could pave the way for public-private partnerships in power generation, reducing reliance on the national grid.
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