The Governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Professor Ben Ayade has assented to the 2023 Appropriation Law of N330, 235b tagged ‘Quantum Infinitum’.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita, indicated that Professor Ayade signed the law in the presence of the deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu, the Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Eteng Jonas and other top officials.
According to the statement, Governor Ayade said that he was signing the budget for the benefit of the people and recognition of the powers of the legislature.
It quoted the Governor as saying: “For the peace and love of Cross River State, the harmony that exists between the House (Legislature) and Executive and as a mark of respect for the power of appropriation that lies with the house, I hereby sign the 2023 appropriation bill into law, a budget otherwise christened ‘Quantum Infinitum’ for the sum of Three hundred and thirty billion, two hundred and thirty-five million naira (N330, 235, 000.00).”
The statement further indicated that the governor emphasised the importance of the budget to his administration, which would enable the government to undertake some people-oriented social welfare policies such as the Conditional Cash Transfer programme where Five thousand naira only is given to vulnerable families monthly.
The press release also indicated that the speaker of the Cross River Assembly, Eteng Jonas expressed appreciation to his colleagues for working assiduously to ensure that public hearings were held and completed within the stipulated time frame.
A breakdown
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity indicated that while the governor was presenting the budget last October 2022, he had said 31 percent of the sum, which is N130 billion would be for Recurrent Expenditure and Capital Expenditure would gulp N200 billion that is 69 percent to “kinetically crystalize projects”.
Breaking it down further, the governor was quoted as stating “the 31 percent is for the payment of salaries, gratuities, pensions and everything that will address issues of extreme poverty and criminality, creating a Cross River that is sane, which is the primary purpose of government. The budget will help my people survive during this difficult transition.
Then, 69 percent is intended to enable this administration complete all outstanding projects across the length and breadth of Cross River State. As I said, this administration is determined to finish strong and so, therefore, we are doing our best to ensure all the agro-industrial projects yet to be completed are taken care of. So, this budget is now law in Cross River State. Congratulations to the people of Cross River State,” Ayade added.
Dominica Nwabufo
