Bassey Otu, Cross River State Governor, on Tuesday, introduced a complete price range outlay of ₦780.59 billion for the 2026 fiscal yr to the State Home of Meeting, describing it as a ‘Finances of Inclusive Development’ designed to consolidate on the positive factors of his administration’s Folks First philosophy.
Presenting the Appropriation Invoice earlier than lawmakers in Calabar, Otu mentioned, “I approached the duty with a profound sense of obligation, obligation, and dedication to the event of our pricey state.” He famous that the annual price range presentation transcends bureaucratic ritual, stressing that “it’s a sacred social contract between authorities and the ruled, a public declaration of collective intent to reinforce the well-being of our folks.”
Unveiling his 2026 fiscal imaginative and prescient, Otu mentioned the brand new price range was the result of “wide-ranging consultations with civil society, non-public sector gamers, NGOs, and most of the people.” He famous that his administration would henceforth measure growth by way of the Human Improvement Index (HDI) relatively than GDP. “We’ll decide progress by how a lot better our folks stay, be taught, and thrive,” the governor mentioned, promising expanded entry to schooling, healthcare, and electrical energy for rural entrepreneurs.
Otu introduced a shift in growth evaluation from Gross Home Product (GDP) to the Human Improvement Index (HDI), stressing that 2026 will give attention to increasing entry to schooling, well being, and social safety. “The influence of growth should be felt within the lives of our folks,” he mentioned. The governor additional revealed plans to operationalize the Cross River Social Funding Programme (CRSIP), designed to empower the aged, ladies, youth, and weak teams by way of a non-political, multi-sectoral framework.
Governor Otu mentioned the proposed ₦780.59 billion price range marks a 17 % enhance over 2025, with N519.6 billion (67%) earmarked for capital expenditure and ₦260.96 billion (33 %) for recurrent spending. The sectoral distribution, he mentioned, allocates N421 billion to the financial sector, N163 billion to social companies, N164 billion to basic administration, N28 billion to legislation and justice, and N3.6 billion to regional growth. “This price range,” Otu concluded, “is designed to strengthen our income base, drive human capital growth, and safe a affluent, peaceable, and resilient Cross River State.”
Reflecting on the 2025 fiscal efficiency, the governor said that final yr’s ‘Finances of Sustainable Development’ was revised from N538 billion to N642 billion following improved income inflows and prudent administration of assets. “We can not spend an additional kobo with out the authorized instrument of appropriation,” Otu declared, underscoring his administration’s dedication to transparency and moral governance.
He defined that the supplementary price range grew to become mandatory resulting from pressing street repairs, rural electrification, and counterpart funding for nationwide and worldwide initiatives. “We additionally launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Discount Initiative to fight preventable deaths amongst moms and infants — a challenge that required quick funding,” he added.
Highlighting the 2025 price range efficiency, Otu described it as “among the best within the nation.” He mentioned: “Our price range is performing optimally. Cross River ranked primary nationwide in routine immunization protection with 95 %, a transparent proof that our Folks First agenda is working.” He listed main street initiatives together with the Adiabo-Ikoneto Highway, the dualization of the Esuk Utan–Depot Highway, and the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakom–Wanikade axis as proof of infrastructure-driven progress.
The governor additionally pointed to exceptional positive factors in energy and well being sectors. “We have now lit up our cities with solar-powered streetlights and energized rural communities by way of photo voltaic mini-grids,” he mentioned. He added that well being amenities throughout all three senatorial districts had been renovated and outfitted, whereas the brand new Normal Hospital in Ikom nears completion. “Each College of Nursing in Cross River has now met accreditation requirements,” he affirmed.
Otu additional disclosed that work on the Obudu Passenger and Cargo Airport had reached a sophisticated stage, whereas pre-construction negotiations for the Bakassi Deep Seaport have been ongoing. “We’re not simply offering infrastructure,” he mentioned with conviction, “we’re constructing the longer term, restoring Cross River as a maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.”
On the executive entrance, the governor introduced that his authorities had carried out the nationwide minimal wage throughout all tiers, cleared the primary tranche of gratuities for retirees, and commenced the second. He additionally revealed that “fibre optic connectivity has been prolonged throughout MDAs for environment friendly service supply,” whereas land administration had been digitized with resumed issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
