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Gov. Otu presents 780b budget of inclusive growth for 2026 fiscal year
From Ani Bassey
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, on Tuesday, presented a total budget outlay of N780.59 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
The budget, themed “Budget of Inclusive Growth,” is designed to consolidate on the gains of his administration’s People First philosophy.
According to Governor Otu, the budget is a product of wide-ranging consultations with civil society, private sector players, NGOs, and the general public. He emphasized that the budget is a sacred social contract between the government and the governed, aimed at enhancing the well-being of the people.
The governor announced a shift in development assessment from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Human Development Index (HDI), stressing that his administration will judge progress by how much better the people live, learn, and thrive.
The budget breakdown shows that N519.6 billion, representing 67% of the total budget, will be spent on capital projects, while N260.96 billion, representing 33%, will be allocated to recurrent spending.
Governor Otu also outlined plans to operationalize 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 governor highlighted the achievements of his administration in the past year, including improved revenue inflows, major road projects, and health facilities renovation. He also disclosed 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.
The governor emphasized that his administration is committed to transparency and ethical governance, stating that “we cannot spend an extra kobo without the legal instrument of appropriation.”
The N780.59 billion budget marks a 17% increase over the 2025 budget, and Governor Otu expressed confidence that it will drive human capital development and secure a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Cross River State.
