Otu Ita Reaffirms Governor Bassey Otu’s Commitment to Inclusive Governance as Cross River Holds Southern Budget Consultative Forum

 

The Cross River State Government has reiterated its commitment to transparency and inclusive governance through sustained citizen participation, as it convened the Southern Senatorial District session of the 2026 Budget Consultative Forum on Tuesday at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

The forum brought together traditional rulers, lawmakers, civil society organizations, women and youth leaders, as well as market representatives, to review the performance of the 2025 budget and collect inputs that will shape the 2026 fiscal plan.

Earlier sessions had been held in Ikom and Ogoja for the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts, respectively—underscoring Governor Bassey Otu’s People-First philosophy and his administration’s belief that every community deserves a voice in the state’s development agenda.

In his opening address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Otu Ita, described the consultative exercise as a practical demonstration of Governor Otu’s inclusive leadership style.

According to him, the series of zonal engagements reflect government’s resolve to institutionalize a bottom-up planning process that captures the genuine needs of communities across the state.

“This is governance driven by the people and for the people,” Otu Ita said. “The Governor has made it clear that the 2026 Budget must emerge from citizens’ priorities, not just bureaucratic inputs.”

He further noted that the Southern District’s session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the state’s fiscal direction, ensuring no community is left behind in the budgeting process.

The Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Okon Owuna, lauded the participatory approach to budgeting, describing it as a hallmark of responsive governance. He assured that the House of Assembly remains committed to passing a budget that reflects the collective aspirations of Cross Riverians.

“The consultative meetings in Ogoja, Ikom, and now Calabar guarantee that every senatorial district has a voice. That’s what participatory democracy truly represents,” Owuna stated, emphasizing the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and education.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mike Odere, commended the impressive citizen turnout, noting that it underscores the growing public trust in the Otu administration. He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to transparent fiscal management.

“Cross River State is redefining public finance management. Our budgeting process is participatory, our tax system fair, and our projects people-centered,” he said, assuring that fiscal discipline will remain the bedrock of the 2026 budget.

The Accountant General of the State, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong, praised Governor Otu for strengthening institutional efficiency and restoring public confidence in governance. She highlighted improved service delivery, faster project approvals, and enhanced coordination across ministries as hallmarks of the administration’s reforms.

“This is a government that values everyone  from the aged to the youth and generations yet unborn,” she said. “Governor Otu has redefined public service ethics, and people are now proud to serve under his leadership.”

Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), Mr. Edwin Okon, encouraged greater tax compliance, stressing that taxation is a shared responsibility in nation-building. He announced that beginning January 2026, the state will introduce a harmonized, technology-driven tax system to eliminate multiple taxation.

“We are not taxing poverty; we’re modernizing tax administration to ensure fairness and efficiency,” he said. “Anyone earning ₦800,000 or less annually will be exempted from personal income tax  that’s how people-centered this government is.”

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Ovai Solomon Edward Osim, commended the administration’s impressive 70 percent budget performance and the inclusion of traditional institutions in policy consultations.

“For the first time in recent memory, the traditional council is directly involved in the state’s budgeting process. It shows that the Governor listens and governs inclusively,” he remarked.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, advocated for deliberate gender inclusion in the 2026 budget, stressing that women’s empowerment is vital for sustainable development.

“We must always ask how many women benefit from agricultural inputs, empowerment grants, and enterprise support,” she said. “True development is inclusive — when women thrive, communities prosper.”

The consultative session featured robust contributions from participants, reflecting a shared commitment to transparency, fiscal prudence, and inclusive growth.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Otu Ita thanked all participants for their insights and reaffirmed the government’s determination to translate citizens’ inputs into actionable policies.

“This is how we build a people-first government by listening, engaging, and delivering,” he concluded.

By Detailing News