The Government of Cross River State has initiated a series of consultative forums across its North and Central Senatorial Districts as part of preparation for the 2025 budget.
The forums were designed to gather input from residents, ensuring that the upcoming budget reflects their needs and priorities.
The meetings, which were held in Ogoja and Ikom town halls, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other community members.
Addressing the people in Ikom, Mr Otu Otu Ita, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Budget Monitoring and Evaluation
emphasised the importance of a grassroots approach in the budget formation process.
He noted that it was no longer feasible for the government to dictate projects from the state capital without direct input from the people in various communities.
“We cannot continue to sit in Calabar and decide what projects should be implemented in different villages, the people in Calabar cannot know what the man in Ishibori, Ukelle, or Obudu truly needs.
“The era of the government deciding what the people want is over. Now, it is about the people telling the government their most pressing needs, which the government will strive to address in 2025,” he stated.
He further highlighted the administration’s commitment, under Otu, to prioritising citizens’ needs within the available resources.
He stressed that building a budget that genuinely represented the people’s interests aligned with the administration’s “people first” philosophy.
Reflecting on the engagement, Otuita expressed confidence that the government’s approach to inclusivity and representation across different sectors and age groups would result in a budget that significantly impacts the lives of many in the state.
Chief John Ntaji, a traditional leader from Ogoja Local Government Area (LGA), expressed gratitude for the government’s effort to involve citizens in the budget planning process.
He highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in his community, including better roads, electricity, potable water, healthcare, and education.
Similarly, Chief Clement Agbor from Ikom LGA underscored the importance of establishing vocational training centres for youths across the state’s 18 LGAs.
He also emphasised the need for substantial investments in electricity, healthcare, and education in the 2025 budget. (NAN)