CROSS RIVER STATE MINISTRY OF FINANCE COMMENCES PREPARATION FOR SFTAS 2020 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (APA)

Cross River State has commenced preparations for the annual program assessment of the Federal Government/World Bank STATE FISCAL TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY (SFTAS) program for results for the 2020 financial year. The SFTAS program for Cross River State operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance, with Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, Commissioner for Finance, acting as Chairman of the State steering committee.

For each year of the Program, in order to be eligible to receive funds for achievement of the disbursement-linked results for that year, states need to achieve the annual eligibility criteria. These criteria aim to help states achieve fiscal milestones including improved financial reporting, improved citizen’s participation in budgeting, strengthening internally generated revenue, and improved debt management capabilities amongst others. For the 2019 assessment program, Cross River State earned $20.4million in grants.

In addition to the grants received, the tireless efforts of the entire finance cluster have resulted in an improvement in the fiscal profile of the state. Some of these gains include Cross River state being placed 8th in the fiscal performance index for the year 2021 as ranked in the state of the States assessment carried out by BUDGIT, as well as placing 12th in internally generated revenue for the period January to June 2021 with a figure of 14.8bn.

The Commissioner for Finance, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr while speaking to reporters stated that “over the course of the fiscal year, Cross River State has strengthened its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collections, passed a robust & comprehensive Audit Law in line with International best practices, implemented biometric registration and verification to reduce payroll fraud; improved its procurement practices for increased transparency and value for money; strengthened its public debt management and fiscal responsibility framework; improved debt sustainability and instituted a more transparent budgeting process.” The state is confident that in 2022, the fiscal position of the State will improve further.

Comments

Engr. Jerome Egbe Visits NSCDC Command for Strategic Partnership on Public Utilities

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, today, October 8, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River Command, Mr. Brown Charles, in Calabar. The visit centered on establishing a strategic partnership to protect and secure public utilities across the state from vandals and criminal elements. During the meeting, Engr. Egbe emphasized the importance of safeguarding all critical public infrastructure and ensuring close collaboration between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the NSCDC in achieving the Governor’s vision for a sustainable and secure state. He also inspected the state of the Command’s facilities and sympathized with the personnel over the recent rainstorm that destroyed parts of the roofing, leaving the building flooded and disrupting operations. Engr. Egbe conveyed the administration’s sympathy and reiterated Governor Bassey O...

BREAKING NEWS: Youths of Ikot Ansa Nab Vandals Destroying Public Utilities, Hand Over to Authorities for Prosecution

In a combined effort to curb the rampant vandalism of public utilities in Cross River State, the youth leader of Ikot Ansa, Prince, Victor Otu Iso JR, alongside his community, successfully apprehended criminals involved in the destruction of vital public infrastructure. The vandals were caught red-handed this morning, 13th day of September 2024, as they attempted to steal Amor cables belonging to state transformers at Ekpo Iso. Acting swiftly, the youth leader invited the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, and his counterpart on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, to the scene. The Special Advisers arrived promptly, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Federal Division, and took custody of the criminals. The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution. While addressing the youths of Ikot Ansa, Engr. Dr. Egbe and Barr. Akiba commended t...

Engr. Egbe Commends Governor Otu for Flag-Off of Subsidized Mini Tractors Distribution

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, has commended the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Apostle) Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for flagging off the distribution of subsidized mini tractors to farmers’ cooperatives in the state. The event, which took place today, October 10, 2025, at the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, marks another significant step in the Governor’s agricultural transformation agenda. Engr. Egbe described the initiative as a strategic form of public utility empowerment that will serve as a catalyst for accelerating food production and achieving food sufficiency across the state. He noted that such interventions demonstrate the Otu-led administration’s commitment to empowering rural farmers, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring food security for all Cross Riverians. He further thanked the Governor for his admini...

Detailing News

Search This Blog