Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has signed the state’s 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Law, increasing the approved budget from ₦961.624 billion to ₦963.074 billion.
The governor assented to the supplementary budget on Wednesday alongside two other pieces of legislation—the Cross River State Social Investment and Protection Law and the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Law.
According to the governor, the supplementary appropriation is intended to enable the state government to respond to emerging needs and changing economic realities while ensuring that available resources are directed towards priority areas.
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said Governor Otu presented the supplementary appropriation bill on July 21, 2026, to amend the principal 2026 budget.
Ayambem explained that the adjustment would allow government to move funds from dormant budgetary provisions to areas requiring urgent intervention, while also accommodating additional revenue arising from increased Federation Allocation to the state.
The governor also signed the Social Investment and Protection Law, which establishes a legal framework for social protection programmes targeting poor and vulnerable residents. The law provides for the establishment of the Cross River State Social Investment and Protection Agency, including its governing structure and funding arrangements.
Otu said the legislation would strengthen the state's ability to reach vulnerable residents and ensure that people who genuinely require social protection and empowerment are not left behind.
Also signed was the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Law, aimed at tackling unlicensed medical practice and strengthening the monitoring and regulation of healthcare practitioners and facilities across the state.
The law provides for a Health Monitoring Task Force and increased collaboration with security agencies to curb health quackery.
Otu maintained that protecting the lives and health of Cross River residents remained a key responsibility of government.
The governor further defended his administration's record, saying that despite negative narratives on social media, officials within his government were working towards the progress of the state. He stressed that government must continually review its policies to reflect changing circumstances.
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