Ayade signs N330b appropriation bill into law

Cross River state governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has signed the state’s 2023 appropriation bill into law.
Christened “Quantum Infinitum,” the budget has the sum of N330.235 billion.
At the signing of the budget Friday at a ceremony held at the State Executive Council Chamber, were the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, the State’s Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams and other top government functionaries in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Ayade said he recognises the absolute appropriation powers of the legislature, hence he was signing the budget for the good of the state.
According to him, “for the peace and love of Cross River state, the harmony that exists between the House and the 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.
“This budget is now law in Cross River state. Congratulations to the people of Cross River state.”
He explained that the budget which is his last as Governor, will enable his government to undertake some of the people-centered social welfare policies within his remaining months in office including the conditional cash transfer.
Earlier, the Speaker expressed gratitude to his colleagues for working assiduously to see that work on the budget was completed in record time.
He commended the governor for the harmonious working relationship existing between the Executive and the legislature.
While presenting the budget to the House in October, Ayade had stressed that “31 per cent of the budget is for recurrent expenditure, which is N130 billion, while capital expenditure will take 69 per cent, and that is N200 billion to kinetically crystalise projects.
“The 31 per cent,” Ayade said, “is for payment of salaries, gratuities, pensions and everything that will address issues of extreme poverty and criminality,” adding that, “the budget will help my people survive during this difficult transition.”