BY: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
Cross River state governor, Sen. Ben Ayade, has proposed a budget of #330 billion Naira for 2023 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
It is “christened budget of Quantum Infinitum”.
Presenting the appropriation bill to the House, he said “#130 billion Naira would be for Recurrent Expenditure while 200 billion naira would be for Capital Expenditure”.
Ayade said the 2023 budget is a citizen’s budget focused mainly in the people adding the budget will focus on deeper agro-industrialization as well as see to the finalisation of all unfinished projects in the state embarked upon by his administration.
Explaining further, he says 130 represents 39 percent which will take care of salaries , gratuity amongst others while the 200 billion which represents 61 percent intends to crystalize all outstanding projects to completion.
Ayade however bemoaned the need for massive recruitments, noting that by early next year about 85 percent of the work force will retire.There is need for massive recruitment now , so that the new people can understudy those who are leaving.”
“By early next year, about 85 percent of the workforce in the cross River state civil service will be leaving , so there is an urgent need for massive recruitment.“I have been able to create an Independent economy under my watch that needs to be sustained.”
He lauded the cooperation of the House over the years and urged them to pass the Appropriation Bill on record time.
