Gov Bassey Otu signs 2024 budget of N296bn into law

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, on Friday, signed the state N296.985 billion 2024 budget, christened People First budget, into law.

The governor, while speaking at the ceremony in his office, said the budget was made up of N180 billion capital expenditure and N116 billion recurrent expenditure.

According to him, the budget was about N96 billion higher than the N250 billion submitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

Otu said the increase was predicated on the need to provide adequate financial support for the persons living with disabilities.

“The increase in the budget allocation for this community is not just a necessity but a moral imperative to erase social imbalance of special demographics as they are a vulnerable group.

“This increase will facilitate better access to healthcare, assistive technologies, education, and employment opportunities tailored to their capabilities; it is not just a fiscal decision but a statement of our values as a society.

“In addition, there is an upscale budgetary provision for payment of gratuity, debt services, counterpart funds, nutrition activities, social protection, climate change and gender-responsive budget,” he said.