By Itam Offor
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly converged in Abuja for a two-day retreat aimed at enhancing their legislative competence and strengthening their capacity for effective service delivery.
The retreat brought together Lawmakers and Resource Persons to explore strategies for improving legislative oversight and budgetary engagement within the state.
Declaring the retreat open, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem noted that the exercise was designed to equip Honourable Members with the “requisite knowledge and technical skills to engage more effectively with the budget cycle.”
He emphasised that a better understanding of the budget process would foster improved collaboration, transparency, and accountability in governance, thereby ensuring that public resources are deployed efficiently for the benefit of all citizens.
“This retreat is timely and relevant, it will equip Honourable Members and staff with the requisite knowledge and technical skills to engage more effectively with the budget circle as well as ensure transparency, accountability and our shared goal of delivering tangible dividends of democracy to our people.” The Speaker said.
The Speaker reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s commitment to building a Legislature that is informed, responsive, and people-oriented. He added that the ultimate goal of the Assembly is to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people of Cross River State through sound legislation and effective oversight.
He encouraged Members to take the training seriously adding that the effectiveness of the legislative work at the different stages of the budget process determines the quality of governance and the impact of government policies.
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Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, noted that the Retreat offers Lawmakers an opportunity to reflect on their constitutional responsibilities as well as deepen their understanding of the budget, which is the principal instrument of development.
Agabi commended the Leadership of the Assembly for organising the Retreat describing it as a “wonderful initiative”.
“Members will gain greatly from this Retreat. It’s a wonderful initiative. Members will gain knowledge and technical skills to carry out this important legislative function. God is really helping the 10th Assembly. I commend the leadership of the Assembly and thank God for this opportunity,” he said.
Resource Persons for the Retreat included, Hon. (Dr) Bassey Inah Ibor, a former Member of the CRS House of Assembly and Mr Adie Akabisong, a former Clerk of the Assembly.
Topics discussed at the Retreat included: An Appraisal of the 2025 Budget Performance, Understanding the CRS Budget Chart of Accounts, Using the Annual Budget to Actualise the “People’s First” Agenda, as well as An Analysis of the 2026 Proposed Budget.
Other topics discussed are the Present Tax Reforms and Implications for Sustainable Development, Making the Legislative Budget Process more Participatory and Inclusive, as well as Budget Monitoring and Tracking for Effective Service Delivery.
