The state’s 2024 budget, according to Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, would be fully implemented under open scrutiny.
This was said by Otu on Friday in Calabar when he opened a one-day workshop for stakeholders to discuss the budget.
When the budget is ultimately passed, Otu, through his deputy Peter Odey, promised that his administration will make sure that its implementation ratio was visible for all to observe.
“We’ll see to it that this budget is carried out exactly as planned.
“If we don’t implement properly, we run the risk of missing the chance to improve the state’s healthcare or reduce hunger and poverty.
“We are on pace to have the proper budget in 2024, one that will construct Cross River and enhance the infrastructure, healthcare, education, standard of living, and transportation sectors.
If the government does not budget properly, “we cannot create wealth, and we cannot even employ because we would not know the number of people to employ,” Otu said.
State Commissioner for Finance Mike Odere stated in his keynote speech that since resources are limited, the government must ensure effective distribution and utilisation.
Dr. Atim Ekpenyong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, spoke on Odere’s behalf. He said senior government officials must manage both their people and material resources more effectively to guarantee that projects are completed on schedule.
Effective resource management, according to him, maintains productivity by preventing staff underperformance and job overload.
He claims that among other things, it lessens the danger of oversights and improves project management.
The establishment of a budget that is in line with the demands of the populace was also underlined by Mr. Cyril Omini, Chairman of the State Assembly House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“Every one of us, as well as our wellbeing and personal objectives and aspirations, are impacted by the budgetary process.
Therefore, Omini remarked, “We must all actively participate in the budgetary process and work towards a budget that is focused on improving the lives of our people.”
He further urged participants to put the interests of the state and its citizens ahead of personal interests by working towards a common objective.
