Cross River Governor Signs ₦104bn Supplementary Budget, Targets Infrastructure, Jobs, and Power Reform

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has signed the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law, injecting an additional ₦104 billion into the state’s budget. This raises the total fiscal plan for the year from ₦538 billion to ₦642 billion.

At the signing ceremony held Thursday at the State Executive Chambers in Calabar, Governor Otu described the supplementary budget as a “strategic and deliberate intervention” designed to address evolving macroeconomic conditions and tap into fresh investment opportunities across vital sectors.

He explained that the funds will be channeled toward the rapid completion of critical infrastructure projects, the development of agricultural value chains, enhancement of healthcare and education, improved security, and job creation through targeted investments. “This supplementary appropriation will reposition our state for accelerated growth,” he said, assuring that every kobo would be used judiciously for the benefit of the people.

Governor Otu also expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for the prompt passage of the bill. Alongside the budget, he assented to three additional laws: the Cross River State Counterpart Funds (Amendment) Law 2025, aimed at streamlining donor fund management; the Cross River State Roads Funds Law 2025, which establishes a dedicated fund for rural and semi-urban road development; and the Cross River State Electricity Law 2025, which provides a framework for state-controlled power generation and distribution following recent constitutional changes.

Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, stated that the supplementary budget complies with constitutional standards and focuses on priority sectors including governance, economic expansion, healthcare, justice, regional cooperation, and social services.