The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has presented a budget estimate of N250 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.
He presented the budget christened, “The People’s First Budget” before the Cross River House of Assembly in Calabar.
The budget is to consolidate on the gains of his predecessors as it is also intended to improve on the welfare and wellbeing of the residents being his first budget since assumption of office on the 29th of May, 2023.
The Governor says his administration has prioritised a higher capital expenditure over recurrent expenditure in the public expenditure structure by maintaining a higher capital expenditure to recurrent expenditure of 61.6 % and 38.4%.
He further stated that the budget would target the completion of projects executed by his predecessors, payment of remuneratory obligations to both civil servants and retirees, grants, livelihood support, as well as vocational trainings /empowerment among many others.
Other areas of priority include education, health, environment, infrastructure and youth development.
The Governor used the opportunity to congratulate president Bola Tinubu over his supreme court victory.
The Governor described the supreme court as the last hope of a common man, adding that he is certain President Bola Tinubu’s administration will make Nigeria the envy of other Nations.