Gov. Bassey Otu signing the supplementary budget into law while others watch with keen interest
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River state government has jacked up its total budget fiscal outlay for year 2025 from N538 billion to N642 billion.
This is so as the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu signed into law the Cross River State Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025, injecting an additional N104 billion into the state’s budget.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the State Executive Chambers Governor’s Office, Calabar, on Thursday, August 14, Otu described the supplementary budget as a “strategic and deliberate intervention” to respond to shifting macroeconomic realities and seize new investment opportunities in critical sectors”.
He said, the new allocation will be deployed to fast-track the completion of key infrastructure projects, enhance agricultural value chains, strengthen healthcare and education, bolster security, and drive job creation through targeted investments.
“This supplementary appropriation will reposition our state for accelerated growth. Every kobo will be spent prudently for the benefit of all Cross Riverians,” the governor assured, while thanking the State House of Assembly for its speedy passage of the bill.
In addition to the appropriation bill, the governor also assented to three other laws, namely: the Cross River State Counterpart Funds (Amendment) Law 2025, which updates donor fund management structures; the Cross River State Roads Funds Law 2025, establishing a dedicated fund for rural and semi-urban road development; and the Cross River State Electricity Law 2025, providing a legal framework for state-level power generation and distribution following constitutional amendments.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the supplementary budget aligns with constitutional provisions and targets priority sectors across administration, economic growth, healthcare, justice, regional integration, and social services. He commended the governor’s fiscal discipline and pledged continued legislative support to drive the administration’s vision.
