By Kelvin Ololo
The Cross River State Government has engaged citizens, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in a consultative forum aimed at charting the way forward and decision-making in the 2026 budget planning.
The town hall meeting, hosted by the Department of Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation, focused on the preparation of the 2026 budget. It brought together Cross Riverians from various sectors in the state, to assess the government’s performance in the previous year and contribute ideas toward the upcoming fiscal plan.
Speaking at the forum, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Mr. Otu Otu Ita, told participants that the essence of the forum was to foster a participatory system of governance and offer citizens an ample opportunity to hold the government of Bassey Otu accountable. He noted that the 2026 budget is geared toward inclusiveness and sustainability.
Otu stated that the forum was a testament to the governor’s unwavering commitment to the people, emphasizing that the government is willing to “hear from you what you expect from the government in 2026.”
Highlighting some of the key areas captured in the 2026 fiscal year budget, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Okon Owuna, charged participants to freely interact and raise concerns affecting their various communities. He noted that the budget will focus on infrastructural development, education, agriculture, women’s welfare, and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi Local Government Area, HRH Edward Osim, commended the governor for his impactful initiatives across the 18 local government areas of the state. He called for greater inclusion and collaboration with the traditional institution, describing it as the first point of contact with the people.
Other traditional rulers echoed similar sentiments, drawing the government’s attention to the deplorable state of primary schools in many communities. They appealed for increased investment in primary education, particularly in teacher training and recruitment.
Several groups, including the Market Women Association, Retired Civil Servants, Association of Persons with Disabilities, Youth Council of Nigeria, Civil Society Organizations, farmers, and other stakeholders, also raised critical issues affecting their constituencies.
Top government appointees, ministries, departments, and agencies were present at the forum.
The town hall meeting had earlier been held in the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts of the state before rounding off in the South.
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