By Sylvia Akpan
Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for devoting N708.43 billion, representing 71.72% of the 2027 budget estimates, to capital development and N279.38 billion, representing 28.28%, to recurrent expenditure.
Lawmakers gave the commendation during Tuesday, November 3, 2026 plenary as they passed the Cross River State 2027 Appropriation Bill for second reading, earlier presented by Governor Otu to the Assembly for consideration and passage.
The Bill scaled second reading following robust deliberations by members at the Assembly Complex, Calabar.
Leading the debate, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Davis Etta (Abi), described the 2027 budget estimates as people-oriented, development-driven and reflective of the Governor’s ‘People First’ mantra. He particularly commended the Governor for devoting a substantial percentage of the total budget to capital expenditure rather than recurrent expenditure, noting that it marks a clear shift from a consumption budget to a production and growth budget.
According to Etta, Governor Otu’s decision to prioritize capital projects demonstrates a clear commitment to infrastructural development, economic expansion, job creation and the industrialization 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 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 Assembly commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for organizing the just-concluded Budget Retreat for members of the Assembly.
Members noted that the retreat was timely, highly educative and impactful, as it widened their scope and 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 of the debate on the 2027 Appropriation Bill, adding that it has better equipped the House to discharge its constitutional duty of thorough budget consideration.
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