Cross River State is setting its sights high for 2025, aiming for an impressive 90% budget performance! This ambitious target signals a major shift from the 85% achieved in 2024 and promises to bring more tangible results for the citizens. The state government, in collaboration with international partners, is rolling out intensive training programs to ensure this goal is met. But what does this mean for you? Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights You Need to Know:
- Boosting Performance: The target is a massive 90% budget performance for 2025, a significant jump from 2024’s 85%.
- Capacity Building: A five-day workshop is empowering budget and planning officers with crucial skills.
- Expert Guidance: UNICEF is providing support to align state development plans with actual spending.
- Focus on Impact: The ultimate goal is to ensure government spending translates into real improvements in people’s lives.
Why the Push for 90% Performance?
Governor Bassey Otu’s administration is serious about making every Naira count. Mr. Otu Otu Ita, the Special Adviser on Budget Monitoring and Evaluation, revealed this ambitious target during a vital workshop in Calabar. He shared that as of the second quarter of 2025, the state had already seen about 35% budget performance. The drive towards 90% by year-end is not just a number; it’s a commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in governance. This also marks a notable increase from the 85% performance in the 2024 fiscal year, showing a consistent upward trend.
Equipping the Experts for Better Planning
The backbone of this enhanced performance lies in the capacity-building workshop. This intensive five-day session is designed to sharpen the skills of budget officers, planning commission staff, and statistics officers. The aim is to create a seamless link between public policy, budgeting, and strategic planning. Think of it as giving the finance wizards the latest tools and knowledge to ensure money is spent wisely, where it’s needed most, and that services actually reach the people.
What Participants are Learning:
- Effective Forecasting: Mastering revenue and expenditure predictions for smarter resource allocation.
- Strategic Alignment: Developing Medium-Term Sector Strategies (MTSS) that directly support the state’s big-picture goals.
- Fiscal Discipline: Learning to stick to financial targets and manage public finances sustainably.
The UNICEF Factor: Global Best Practices for Cross River
It’s not all local effort; international support is playing a key role. UNICEF, through its Enugu Field Office, is a crucial partner in this endeavor. Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, represented by Social Policy Expert Mr. Victor Chiama, highlighted UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening Cross River’s capacity to implement its development priorities. They’re providing technical assistance, financial backing, and much-needed training. This partnership ensures that Cross River is adopting global best practices, making sure that development plans, activities, and programs are not just written down but actively pursued with timely fund releases and efficient execution.
Bridging the Gap: From Spending to Tangible Results
A sobering reality check came from Mr. Oluwasola, a Public Finance Management expert and a resource person at the workshop. He pointed out that historically, budgets in Nigeria, despite significant spending, often fail to bring about noticeable improvements in the quality of life for ordinary citizens. This is exactly the gap Cross River aims to bridge with its renewed focus on performance and strategic planning. The expectation is that by linking policy to budget and strengthening forecasting, the state can move beyond just spending money to actively improving the lives of its people.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Improved Service Delivery
With a clear target, enhanced skills for its finance professionals, and strong international backing, Cross River State is poised for a significant year in 2025. The focus is clear: ensure that the government’s financial plans translate into real, positive changes for everyone. It’s a step towards more accountable and effective governance, where budget performance is measured not just in percentages, but in the smiles it brings to the faces of its citizens.
Did you know? Many developing economies struggle with budget implementation, often citing challenges like corruption, lack of capacity, and political interference. Cross River’s proactive approach, involving training and international partnerships, is a commendable effort to tackle these widespread issues.