Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has formally signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the budget as “a statement of purpose and a solemn commitment to social stability, inclusion, and shared prosperity.” The signing ceremony took place at the Government House before the Speaker of the House of Assembly and members of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otu said the budget was carefully designed to respond to the realities facing the state while laying a solid foundation for long-term growth. “This budget is more than a legal appropriation,” he declared. “It is our blueprint for economic transformation, social protection, and the delivery of tangible dividends of democracy to our people.”
The governor commended the House of Assembly for what he described as “diligence, transparency, and patriotism” throughout the budget process. He noted that the legislature’s engagement with the executive, civil society organisations, and state economic managers reflected global best practices. “The successful implementation of this budget will continue to inspire confidence in governance and reinforce accountability in the service of our people,” Otu said.
According to the governor, the ₦961 billion 2026 budget places strong emphasis on capital development, with significant investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, energy, and social protection. “By prioritising roads, bridges, urban renewal, and rural connectivity, we are not just building infrastructure; we are unlocking new economic opportunities across our cities and communities,” he stated.
Governor Otu further stressed that human capital development remained at the heart of his administration’s agenda. “Our education sector remains central to our future,” he said, adding that the budget provides for improved learning infrastructure, teacher development, and better educational outcomes to prepare young people for a modern economy.
He also underscored the importance of healthcare and social welfare, noting that the budget includes projects aimed at expanding medical facilities, improving service delivery, and protecting the wellbeing of citizens. “No one will be left behind as we strengthen social safety nets, empower citizens, and protect the most vulnerable among us,” the governor assured.
Earlier in his address, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayamben, said the legislature approached the budget with a deep sense of responsibility to the people. “This House has a duty to speak for every segment of our society,” Ayamben said.“
The Speaker explained that the House subjected the budget to rigorous scrutiny, including what he described as an “open review” process. “In the interest of transparency and redress, we reviewed the budget framework to ensure adequate allocation for institutional strengthening, security response, and citizen protection,” he said, noting that the legislature’s work was guided by constitutional responsibility and public interest.
The Speaker highlighted the budget’s strong capital orientation, which he said would translate into wealth creation and infrastructure expansion. “This strong capital organisation will drive prosperity across the state,” Ayamben stated. “From roads and power infrastructure to education and healthcare, the House ensured that every allocation reflects the needs and aspirations of our people.”
Both the governor and the Speaker paid special attention to women and youth empowerment. Governor Otu noted that women “play a critical role in shaping our future,” while Ayamben affirmed that the House supported targeted programmes in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, sports development, and economic inclusion to meet “the immense demands of our people.”
As he signed the budget into law, Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaboration with the legislature. “Together, we shall advance financial harmony, accountability, and effective service delivery,” he said. “Together, we will
deliver on the promise of greatness for Cross River State.”
