From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has presented a proposed budget of ₦987, 808, 089, 235.92bn for the 2027 fiscal year christened: “The Budget of Consolidation and Renewed Hope”.

Presenting the budget before the lawmakers at the Assembly Complex in Calabar, Otu described the proposed estimates as “A Solemn and sacred pact laden with the trust, expectation and aspiration of the people for their improved livelihoods”.

The 2027 proposed budget represents an increase of about 2.

57 percent over the 2026 budget was prepared to consolidate the achievements of his administration while addressing critical developmental needs in key sectors of the state’s economy.

According to him, the proposed expenditure comprises ₦279.38 bn or 28.28 percent for recurrent expenditure and ₦708.43 bn for capital expenditure, representing 71.72 per cent of the total budget   respectively.

He explained that the substantial capital allocation reflects his administration’s commitment to prioritise infrastructure, human capital development and productive investment to stimulate economic activities.

On the state’s debt profile, Otu disclosed that his administration had refrained from domestic and external loans since assumption of office stressing that debt servicing from previous administrations had constrained the pace of development projects.

“I cannot, and will never mortgage the future of our children with unsustainable loans”. He declared.

On sectoral allocations, the Governor stated that ₦246.1bn had been earmarked for infrastructure and road development, followed by education with N99.6 to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve the quality of learning across the state.

The health sector is projected to receive ₦85.4bn to improve healthcare delivery, agriculture has #28.2bn and aviation N21.8bn.

Other provisions include #20.2 bn for the House of Assembly, N19.1bn for the Judiciary, #16.6bn for power and #11.3 bn for Tourism.

The Governor assured that the budget will continue to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while promising continuity in uncompleted projects. He also pledged continued investment in forest conservation and the green economy, Judicial Infrastructure, security and youth empowerment.

Otu further highlighted his administration’s plans to improve internally generated revenue, attract private-sector investment and strengthen fiscal discipline to ensure effective implementation of the budget.

“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. l will continue to work with the legislature and Judiciary for the betterment of the State.”

 He commended the 10th Assembly for hard work and urged the lawmakers to give the proposed estimates the necessary legislative consideration and speedy passage to facilitate the timely execution of government programmes and projects.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the Governor for presenting the budget which demonstrates his respect for democratic institutions. He assured Otu of the Assembly’s commitment to a thorough legislative examination of the estimates.

The Speaker said the House would scrutinise the proposals to ensure that the budget reflects the needs and aspirations of Cross Riverians as well as promote transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

“I wish to assure you, your Excellency and the good people of Cross River State that this Assembly will subject the estimates to thorough, rigorous and expeditious scrutiny”.

Speaker Ayambem assured that the Assembly will engage with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that the budget promotes even development across the State and is implemented within available resources.

He commended the Governor for zero tolerance for cultism, kidnapping, and other social vices which has restored peace and tranquility in the State adding that the 10th Assembly remains committed to providing robust legislative support to the Executive for the benefit of Cross Riverians.

“We have passed critical bills and motions aimed at strengthening governance, improving the ease of doing business and ensuring the welfare and security of Cross Riverians. We have diligently performed our oversight functions to ensure that projects and programmes captured in the 2026 Budget are executed to specification for the benefit of our people.

He hailed Governor Otu for his achievements in the various sectors of the state while appealing for the Governor’s assistance in the comprehensive renovation of the Assembly Complex and Quarters as well as the provision of buses for the Assembly’s use.

Delta Funds Projects without New Debt – Commissioner

Delta is funding its 2026 procurement cycle and executing major development projects without contracting new debt, Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, has said.

Tilije disclosed this during a meeting with management and staff of the ministry of finance on Wednesday in Asaba.

He attributed the approach to fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation and prudent resource management.

Tilije said the state’s improved financial position had also earned it the highest liquidity rating among Nigeria’s 36 states.

According to him, the administration of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori is pursuing infrastructure development while prioritising responsible borrowing and efficient public financial management.

Tilije listed roads, bridges, healthcare and education among the sectors benefiting from the government’s investments.

He said the administration’s strategy was to meet its development obligations through available resources rather than accumulate additional debt.

The commissioner attributed the state’s improved revenue performance partly to the expansion of non-oil revenue sources and reforms to strengthen internally generated revenue (IGR).

He emphasized that the increase in IGR was not driven by higher tax rates but by measures to improve revenue collection.

According to him, the reforms included widening the tax net, improving compliance, professionalising revenue collection and eliminating revenue leakages.

Tilije said the government was also preparing to introduce more economically viable empowerment programmes to improve livelihoods and expand opportunities for residents.

On workers’ welfare, he said the state had maintained regular salary payments to more than 60,000 personnel.

He said salaries were paid between the 24th and 25th of every month.

The commissioner also highlighted the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary for public servants as part of the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

In the health sector, Tilije said the government had sustained free medical services for pregnant women and children under five in government hospitals.

He added that the administration was upgrading primary healthcare centres across the state.

Tilije assured residents that the government would sustain its commitment to fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development and human capital investment.

He called on the people of Delta to support Oborevwori’s re-election bid in 2027, and expressed confidence that the administration would consolidate its achievements.(NAN)

FCT Teachers Resume Classes after Suspending Strike over Promotion Delays

Teachers in Federal Capital Territory public schools have resumed academic activities after suspending their strike over delayed promotions, vacant positions and redeployment of senior officers.

They said in Abuja on Wednesday that academic activities had resumed, with teachers delivering lessons to students.

‎Head Teacher, LEA Primary School Garki Area 10, Shuaibu Usman, said the grievances that prompted the industrial action were not primarily financial, but concerned career progression and the redeployment of experienced educational administrators.

‎Usman said the unresolved issues included the suspension of the 2025 promotion exercise, lack of vacancies for promotion and redeployment of senior officers to classrooms.

‎He said the redeployment policy had raised concerns among affected officers, particularly directors and principals who were returned to classroom duties despite their experience in educational administration.

‎”Our grievance with the government is not a monetary aspect. We are talking of vacancies, that there is no promotion because there is no vacancy,” he said.

‎The head teacher also identified the non-conclusion of the 2025 promotion exercise as one of the reasons for the strike.

‎On redeployment, Usman said some experienced officers who had served in administrative and quality assurance positions were being returned to classrooms.

‎He questioned the rationale behind returning directors and principals to classroom duties, arguing that their experience could be better utilised in mentoring younger teachers and strengthening the educational system.

‎”I think that is the most painful aspect of this. Somebody that has worked and the government said we need your effort more to groom those coming, you are telling that person to go back to the class,” he said.

‎Usman appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to examine the redeployment policy and address concerns surrounding the placement of experienced educational administrators.

‎The head teacher said the strike had been suspended rather than called off, adding that the resumption followed a government circular directing schools to recommence academic activities.

‎”According to the circular, we suspended the strike. We didn’t call off. We have resumed based on the suspension,” he said.

‎On pupils’ attendance, Usman said a considerable number had returned to school, attributing the turnout partly to communication between teachers and parents through an established platform.

‎He explained that parents were informed whenever schools were scheduled to resume, enabling them to prepare their children for the continuation of academic activities.

‎Also speaking, the principal of Government Secondary School, Garki, Malam Sadeeq Ochiji, confirmed that academic activities had resumed, with teachers delivering lessons to students.

‎The principal said teachers and students had returned to school in compliance with the directive to resume academic activities.

‎”We have resumed. The students are in their classes, and the teachers are teaching them, the principal said.

Ochiji added that the school resumed on Wednesday, noting that principal officers had been reporting to duty. (NAN)  

The Police Command in Borno has arrested six suspects over alleged mobile phone theft and fraudulent withdrawal of ₦5.65 million from a victim’s bank account.

The Command’s Spokesperson, Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Daso said the incident occurred on Oct.

13 when the victim, Abba K. boarded a commercial tricycle along Damboa Road, Maiduguri.

He said the victim discovered that his Infinix Smart 8 mobile phone was missing from his pocket after alighting from the tricycle.

According to him, the victim reported the incident to the police, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, to direct operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to investigate the case.

He said the operatives, through digital forensic analysis, intelligence gathering and diligent investigation, arrested six suspects allegedly connected with the crime.

“During investigation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the theft and subsequent unlawful withdrawal of ₦5.65 million from the victim’s bank account.

“They also disclosed that the money was shared among themselves,” he said.

Daso said the police had recovered the stolen phone and the entire ₦5.65 million.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has barred its personnel from escorting politicians during campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

Zonal Commanding Officer, RS6, ACM Abimbola Owolabi, gave the directive during her maiden visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday.

Owolabi said patrol vehicles and sirens must not be used for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions.

She directed officers deployed to campaign venues to focus exclusively on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes.

The zonal head warned personnel against leading political convoys or providing escorts for politicians, stressing that official vehicles must not be used for unauthorised purposes.