C’River Assembly Commits To Budget Passage, Warns Defaulting MDAs

The Cross River State House of Assembly has intensified efforts to passage of the 2025 Appropriation budget for enhanced socioeconomic and political development in the state.

The exercise which began over a week ago has seen many Ministries, Departments and Agencies appear before the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation with breakdown of their proposed financial estimates for year 2025.

Speaking with Assembly press Corps Saturday in Calabar shortly after Herculean task, Hon. Cyril James Omini, Chairman House Committee on Budget and Appropriation  declared total commitment in ensuring absolute transparency, accountability and forthrightness in the budget defense process aimed at bridging developmental gaps with a view to ushering enduring legacies for the state as envisioned by His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu in his ‘Season of Sweetness’ mantra.

The Yakurr 1 parliamentarian applauded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), that have appeared for the constitutional ritual of budget defense.

Hon. Omini admonished other MDAs yet to appear before the House  for purposes of budget defense to comply with stipulated constitutional provisions or risk zero budget allocation, positing that the 10th Assembly known for people oriented legislations will stop at nothing in enforcing checks and balances, promotion of peaceful coexistence among organs of government with intended dividends of democracy for the masses as core mandate.

According to the Finance  and Appropriation Committee Chairman, the defense exercise is scheduled for a close on Wednesday, 11 December, 2024 to make room for speedy bureaucratic considerations and timely passage into Law for onward execution.

It will be recalled that on 29 October, 2024, the 2025 Appropriation budget tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth” was transmitted to the Cross River State House of Assembly from the Executive, signifying a milestone journey into 2025.

The budget has a total size of 498 billion naira with 328 billion naira representing 66% earmarked for capital expenditures while 170 billion naira representing 34% is for recurrent expenditure.

Meanwhile, as the days ahead gathers momentum in terms of budget execution, Cross Riverians are hopeful of a budget which will enhance general improvement of the State for the good of all.