Cross River supplementary budget for 2025 increases by 26% to N642bn to support infrastructure and strategic projects across the state
Cross River supplementary budget for 2025 has been passed by the State House of Assembly, raising the total appropriation to N642 billion, a 26% increase over the previously approved budget of N538 billion.
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The lawmakers approved the supplementary bill on Tuesday, citing the urgent need to finance infrastructure projects and other critical expenditures across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas.
The original budget, tagged the “Budget of Sustainable Growth”, was passed on December 24, 2024.
Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriation Committee, Okon Owuna, presented the report, noting that the new allocation addresses unforeseen obligations, emergency spending, and strategic programs not captured in the original budget.
“The key factors necessitating the supplementary budget include new obligations, recently approved programmes, and an improved fiscal outlook from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), grants, and FAAC allocations,” Owuna explained.
He emphasized that this fiscal space has allowed the government to introduce expanded expenditure across vital sectors including Administration, Economy, Law and Justice, Regional Development, and Social Services.
In a significant shift from past practice, Owuna commended the Governor Bassey Edet Otu-led administration for adhering to constitutional provisions by introducing a Supplementary Appropriation Law, rather than making downward amendments to the original budget.
“In previous years, we saw budget reductions instead of proper supplementary provisions. This is a positive step forward,” he stated.
Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, reinforced the Assembly’s commitment to development, affirming that the additional funding will directly benefit citizens and support transformation projects throughout all local councils.
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This Cross River supplementary budget reflects a strategic and responsive approach to governance, as the state seizes new fiscal opportunities to meet growing public demands.
