Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, broke down in tears when he signed the state N1.3tr budget, April 10, and called on a clergyman to pray for the successful implementation of the budget which has been described by the State as a kinetic crystallization budget that will “creates a new vista, thinking and horizon”. The budget is also regarded as the first to cross the N1tr mark in the nation amongst States, and, among other things, focuses on human capital development to raise the State out of dependence on Federal allocations for survival.
Speaking on the budget after the signing, the Governor declared that the budget is very important to the State because it revives the tenacity within them to achieve newer and bigger things and not just settle for regular. His words:
“Part of the philosophy of this budget will focus on human capital development and we said we will put food on the table; which was still what we focused on in our year one and year two. But on this third year, we are amending the agenda to be food on the table, hand on the plough.”
The Governor, after signing the budget broke into tears after failing to hold back the emotion and specifically called on a clergy man in the audience to hold the signed copy of the budget in his hand and lead everyone present to God in prayers and supplicate for God’s divine intervention to make the budget realizable.
Prof. Ayade also allocated some of the encomiums to the State Assembly for, what he described as, their “deep understanding of the budget proposal and the intricacies that led to the passage” and for their being an immense stabilizing factor to the administration.
While presenting the budget, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. John Gaul-Lebo, said that the parliament had had extensive engagements with all relevant bodies to the budget to arrive at the N1.3tr benchmark. He also stated:
“We shall in line with section 122 of the constitution, carry out rigorous oversight functions to ensure that the budget is implemented to deepen the dividends of democracy”
On his part, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, stated:
“This budget is intended to crystallize and implement the visions that have been so far done by the administration. We are entering the fourth year term, so this is the time to deliver on the mandate and the promise we made to the people. There is going to be a trickle-down effect as we start implementing the budget and Cross Riverians are going to benefit from the multiplier effect if they position themselves well”
What is so special about this budget?
The Cross River State 2018 budget is currently the largest budget for a State in the history of Nigeria, and according to the Governor of the State, the budget is titled “Kinetic Crystallization Budget” because it was meant to crystallize all that the state has achieved in the past two years of his administration.
He said the priority of the budget was to develop the state’s deep sea port and the super highway which he said were his two marked projects. The Governor also said 70 percent of the budget was for capital expenditure and 30 percent, re-current expenditure.
According to him, the size of the budget is expected to create room for potential investors, now that the annual construction of the state deep sea port and superhighway has commenced. He added that the budget was for actualisation and implementation of the State deep seaport, super highway and other laudable projects earmarked for completion.
“The 2018 budget of N1.3 trillion, tagged `Kinetic Crystallisations’, is meant to drive the economy of the state to an enviable height. The sum of N126 billion was budgeted for the Ministry of Infrastructure. This is to help us develop critical assets in the state.”
Over time, one of the major encumbrances in the State has been creating employment. This budget focuses a considerable percentage on developing skills for unemployed youths in the state and providing employment in government establishments in the State.
“N7 billion was also budgeted for the state job centre with a view to helping us train our unemployed youths with marketable job skills. Also, we have budgeted N2 billion for our school feeding programme. In addition to that, we also budgeted N52 billion for social welfare to care for the aged.
The governor further said that the garment factory, with 1,000 workers, would be increased to 3,000 in 2018 as part of his administration’s drive to engage the unemployed in the state.
The 2018 budget is far higher than the 2017 budget of N301 billion.
