The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a supplementary budget of N642,160,260,164.66 for the 2025 fiscal year, representing a 26% increase from the original budget of N538,523,915,716.00 passed on December 24, 2024. The supplementary budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth,” aims to drive infrastructural development across the state’s 18 local government areas.
According to the Chairman of the Assembly’s Finance and Appropriation Committee, Okon Owuna, the supplementary budget became necessary to accommodate critical expenditures not captured in the original budget. These include new obligations, emergency spending, and recently approved strategic programs requiring immediate financial backing. Owuna noted that improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), internal grants, and allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have provided the fiscal space to introduce additional expenditure across critical sectors.
The supplementary budget introduces upward adjustments across sectors such as Administration, Economic, Law and Justice, Regional, and Social Development. The budget will be financed from IGR, Aids and Grants, and FAAC. Owuna commended the state government for adhering to the Constitution, highlighting that the Senator Bassey Edet Otu-led administration has brought the House to pass a supplementary budget as contemplated by the Constitution.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, reiterated that the supplementary budget is designed to improve the welfare of citizens. He added that projects in all local government areas have been duly captured to transform the state. Ayambem emphasized the administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and citizen welfare.
The approval of the N642 billion supplementary budget marks a significant step towards driving growth and development in Cross River State. With a focus on infrastructural development and citizen welfare, the state government aims to transform the state and improve the lives of its citizens.
