Gov Otu signs ₦104bn Supplementary Budget, assent to roads, electricity, counterpart funds bills  into law

Cross River State has officially expanded its 2025 fiscal plan by ₦104 billion, as Governor Bassey Edet Otu on Tuesday signed the Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law, raising the year’s budget from ₦538 billion to ₦642 billion.

At the brief ceremony in the State Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Wednesday, Governor Otu described the supplementary budget as a “strategic and deliberate intervention” to respond to evolving economic realities and seize fresh opportunities for growth. According to him, the additional funds will be channelled into accelerating the completion of key infrastructure, boosting agricultural value chains, improving healthcare and education systems, enhancing security, and creating jobs through targeted investments.

“This supplementary appropriation will reposition our state for accelerated growth. Every kobo will be spent prudently for the benefit of all Cross Riverians,” the governor assured, commending the State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill.

In the same sitting, the Governor also assented to three other critical laws. The Cross River State Counterpart Funds (Amendment) Law 2025 streamlines structures for managing donor and counterpart funding to improve transparency and efficiency. The Cross River State Roads Funds Law 2025 establishes a dedicated fund for the development and maintenance of rural and semi-urban roads, aimed at boosting accessibility and economic activity. The Cross River State Electricity Law 2025 which creates a legal framework for state-level power generation and distribution in line with recent constitutional amendments, paving the way for improved energy access and industrial growth.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, noted that the supplementary budget and accompanying laws align with constitutional provisions while targeting priority sectors across governance, economic growth, healthcare, justice, regional integration, and social services. He praised the governor’s fiscal discipline and vision, pledging continued legislative collaboration to ensure the administration’s development agenda is fully realised.

With the expanded fiscal space and new legal instruments, the Otu administration has set the stage for what could be one of Cross River’s most ambitious pushes in infrastructure, health energy, and social development in recent years.