Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu for devoting N708.43 bn amounting to 71.72 % of the 2027 budget estimates for Capital development and N279. 38 bn representing 28 28 % to recurrent expenditure.
The Lawmakers gave the commendation during plenary as they passed for Second Reading, the Cross River State 2027 Appropriation Bill earlier presented by Governor Otu to the Assembly for consideration and passage.
The Bill scaled Second Reading following robust deliberations by members during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Calabar.
Leading the debate, the Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Abi State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Davis Etta described the 2027 budget estimates as people-oriented, development-driven and reflective of the Governor's People First mantra.
He commended the Governor for devoting a substantial percentage of the total budget size to Capital Expenditure as against Recurrent Expenditure, noting that it is a clear departure from budgets of consumption to budget of production and growth.
According to Rt. Hon. Etta, Governor Otu's decision to prioritize capital projects demonstrates a clear commitment to Infrastructural development, economic expansion, job creation and the industrialisation of the State.
Contributing to the debate, majority of the Members took turns to applaud the Governor for his fiscal discipline and focus.
They noted that the high capital component will fast-track the completion of ongoing projects, open up new roads, boost agriculture, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen human capital development and reposition Cross River State as an investment destination.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who presided over the session, commended his colleagues for their painstaking analysis of the budget and also lauded Governor Otu for sustaining a fiscal policy that places premium on infrastructure over frivolities.
He thereafter referred the Appropriation Bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for detailed budget defence and further legislative work, with a mandate to report back within three weeks.
In a related development, Members of the State Assembly have commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for organising the just-concluded Budget Retreat for Members of the Assembly.
Members noted that the retreat was timely, educative and impactful, as it richly widened their scope, deepened their understanding of budget analysis, scrutiny, legislative oversight and fiscal discipline.
They observed that the knowledge gained from the retreat was evident in the quality, depth and professionalism displayed in the debate of the 2027 Appropriation Bill, adding that it has better equipped the House to discharge its constitutional duty of thorough budget consideration.
By Itam Offor
