Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has presented a proposed ₦987.8 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, with emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare.

Otu, who christened the proposal the “Budget of Consolidation and Renewed Hope”, presented the estimates in Calabar on Wednesday, describing the budget as a commitment to sustainable development, fiscal discipline and inclusive economic growth.

He described the budget as more than an aggregation of figures, calling it “a solemn and sacred pact laden with the trust, expectation and aspiration of the people for their improved livelihoods.”

The proposed budget, valued at ₦987,808,089,235.92, represents an increase of about 2.57 per cent over the 2026 budget.

Capital expenditure accounts for ₦708.43 billion, representing 71.72 per cent of the total, while recurrent expenditure stands at ₦279.38 billion, or 28.28 per cent.

Otu said the successful implementation of the budget would depend on prudent resource management, accountability and disciplined public spending.

“The imperative of this exercise underscores our collective resolve to chart a sustainable course for the growth and development of our dear State,” he declared.

Addressing the state’s debt profile, the governor said his administration had not obtained fresh domestic or external loans since assuming office in 2023.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Debt Management Office, he said Cross River was among the few states that had not contracted new loans during the period.

He attributed the existing debt burden to obligations inherited from previous administrations, adding that debt servicing had limited the resources available for development projects.

He also said the naira value of external debt had been affected by currency devaluation and foreign exchange liberalisation.

“I cannot, and will never mortgage the future of our children with unsustainable loans,” Otu declared, pledging to strengthen internally generated revenue, maximise federal allocations and attract development assistance and private investment.

Reviewing the 2026 budget, the governor cited exchange-rate volatility, rising operational costs, supply-chain disruptions and inherited debt obligations as challenges facing implementation.

He disclosed that a supplementary budget had been passed in collaboration with the legislature, raising the spending framework to ₦963.07 billion to accommodate urgent interventions and counterpart-funding requirements.

On infrastructure, Otu reported the delivery of more than 608 kilometres of interconnected road projects across the three senatorial districts, including the Nsan–Oban Road in Akamkpa, the Adiabo–Ikoneto Road in Odukpani and the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakade Road in Yala.

He also highlighted rural electrification projects involving solar streetlights, mini-grids and network rehabilitation, which he said were aimed at improving mobility, stimulating commerce and opening up underserved communities.

In agriculture, the governor said more than 20,000 bags of fertiliser had been distributed to 8,000 farmers, while over one million improved oil-palm, cowpea and cocoa seedlings had been supplied across the state.

He also cited a 50,000-hectare rice project and support for more than 5,300 livestock farmers, alongside loans, grants and agricultural machinery for smallholder and large-scale producers.

According to Otu, an ₦18 billion offtake arrangement had supported the state’s agricultural initiatives, while the cash-crop programme was strengthening farmers’ productive capacity.

“There is no food security without agriculture,” he said, adding that the government aimed to make Cross River Nigeria’s leading cocoa and oil-palm-producing state through expanded cultivation, mechanisation, agro-allied industries and private-sector partnerships.

On healthcare, Otu highlighted the renovation of hospitals, the establishment of medical oxygen plants in Calabar and Ogoja in partnership with UNICEF, and the upgrading of state-owned Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to meet accreditation standards.

He also cited a reported 95 per cent routine immunisation coverage, the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical workers and an increase in the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years.

In education, the governor said the state had deployed more than ₦17 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission intervention funds for school projects and paid West African Examinations Council fees for 43,694 indigenes.

He added that more than 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff had been approved for promotion.

Otu said the government was targeting a literacy rate of 98 per cent from an estimated 80.7 per cent, while expanding technical and vocational education to equip young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills.

The budget also prioritises aviation, transportation, maritime development and tourism as part of the state’s economic diversification strategy.

The governor disclosed that a new Bombardier CRJ regional jet had been added to the state’s aviation assets, bringing its fleet to five aircraft, while construction work at the Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport was being accelerated.

He also announced the acquisition of 730 electric vehicles, comprising inter-city and metropolitan buses, tricycles and motorcycles, to reduce commuting costs and promote cleaner transportation.

On maritime development, Otu said the Bakassi Deep Seaport had received Federal Government approval and a Certificate of Compliance and was awaiting the commencement of construction, with anticipated private investment of about $3.5 billion.

He also cited the federal government’s formal re-accreditation of Cross River as a littoral state, describing it as important to the state’s maritime ambitions.

“Our overall target in this sector is to transform our aviation business model into a highly profitable and self-sustaining revenue asset for the State,” he said.

Infrastructure received the largest listed sectoral allocation of ₦246.1 billion, followed by education with ₦99.6 billion, health with ₦85.4 billion, agriculture with ₦28.2 billion and aviation with ₦21.8 billion.

Other allocations include ₦20.2 billion for the House of Assembly, ₦19.1 billion for the judiciary, ₦16.6 billion for power and ₦11.3 billion for tourism.

The governor said the estimates would align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while ensuring continuity in ongoing projects and directing resources towards the state’s development priorities.

He also pledged continued investment in forest conservation, the green economy, judicial infrastructure, security and youth empowerment.

Otu reaffirmed the policy of free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school, alongside the payment of WAEC fees for public-school students.

On the judiciary, he promised adequate funding for ongoing court projects and improved working conditions for judicial officers, while urging the institution to pursue reforms that would strengthen public confidence in justice delivery.

The governor stressed the need for cooperation among the executive, legislature and judiciary, describing harmonious relations among the arms of government as essential to peace, stability and shared prosperity.

He urged lawmakers to consider and pass the proposed ₦987.8 billion Appropriation Bill, expressing confidence that its implementation would accelerate economic growth and improve the welfare of Cross River residents.

“My administration shall continue to be responsive to the yearnings of the citizenry, prudent in the management of the State’s resources and accountable to the people,” he assured.

Otu presented the estimates under the banner, “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” calling on lawmakers and other stakeholders to work together towards building a more prosperous, inclusive and economically resilient Cross River State.