By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
Cross River State governor, Sen, Bassey Otu, has presented a total budget estimate of ₦780.59 billion Naira for the 2026 fiscal year.
Gov Otu made the presentation to the Cross River State House of Assembly on Tuesday, describing it as a “Budget of Inclusive Growth”, designed to consolidate on the gains of his administration’s Peoples’ First philosophy.
According to him, “I approached the task with a profound sense of duty, obligation, and determination to the development of our dear state”.
Otu noted that the annual budget presentation transcends bureaucratic ritual, stressing that, “it is a sacred social contract between government and the governed, a public declaration of collective intent to enhance the well-being of our people.”
Unveiling his 2026 fiscal vision, Otu said, the new budget was the outcome of “wide-ranging consultations with civil society, private sector players, NGOs, and the general public.”
He added that his administration would henceforth measure development through the Human Development Index (HDI) rather than GDP.
“We will judge progress by how much better our people live, learn, and thrive,” the Governor declared, and promised to expand access to education, healthcare, and electricity for rural entrepreneurs.
Otu also announced a shift in development assessment from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Human Development Index (HDI), stressing that 2026 would focus on expanding access to education, health, and social protection.
“The impact of development must be felt in the lives of our people,” he said, revealing plans to operationalise the Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP), designed to empower the elderly, women, youth, and vulnerable groups through a non-political, multi-sectoral framework.
The proposed ₦780.59 billion Naira budget marks a 17 percent increase over 2025, with ₦519.6 billion Naira (67%) earmarked for capital expenditure and ₦260.96 billion (33%) for recurrent spending.
He explained that sectoral allocation to include, ₦421 billion Naira to the economic sector, ₦163 billion Naira to social services, ₦164 billion Naira to general administration, ₦28 billion Naira to law and justice, and ₦3.6 billion Naira to regional development.
“This budget is designed to strengthen our revenue base, drive human capital development, and secure a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Cross River State, he said”.
Reflecting on the 2025 fiscal performance, he stated that last year’s “Budget of Sustainable Growth” was revised from ₦538 billion Naira to ₦642 billion Naira following improved revenue inflows and prudent management of resources.
“We cannot spend an extra kobo without the legal instrument of appropriation,” Otu declared, underscoring his administration’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance.
He explained that the supplementary budget became necessary due to urgent road repairs, rural electrification, and counterpart funding for national and international projects.
“We also introduced the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative to combat preventable deaths among mothers and infants — a project that required immediate funding,” he added.
Highlighting the 2025 budget performance, he described it as “one of the best in the country.”
He said: “Our budget is performing optimally. Cross River ranked number one nationwide in routine immunisation coverage with 95 percent, a clear proof that our People First agenda is working.”
He listed major road projects including the Adiabo-Ikoneto Road, the dualization of the Esuk Utan–Depot Road, and the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakom–Wanikade axis as evidence of infrastructure-driven progress.
The Governor, who also pointed to remarkable gains in power and health sectors, said: “We have lit up our cities with solar-powered streetlights and energized rural communities through solar mini-grids.”
Otu added that health facilities across all three senatorial districts had been renovated and equipped, while the new General Hospital in Ikom nears completion. “Every School of Nursing in Cross River has now met accreditation standards,” he affirmed.
He further stated that work on the Obudu Passenger and Cargo Airport had reached an advanced stage, while pre-construction negotiations for the Bakassi Deep Seaport were ongoing. “We are not just providing infrastructure,” he said with conviction, “we are building the future, restoring Cross River as a maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.”
