Infrastructure development topped the list of concerns.
By TheInvestigator
As part of ongoing efforts to deepen participatory governance and ensure inclusive budgeting process, the Cross River State Government on Wednesday hosted a strategic consultative forum in Ikom, engaging residents and stakeholders from the Central Senatorial District in preparation for the 2026 fiscal year budget.
Held at the Ikom Local Government Council Hall, the forum served as a vital platform for grassroots involvement in shaping the financial direction of the state, aligning government planning with community needs. The event attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders including traditional rulers, local government authorities, women leaders, youth and student representatives, as well as civil society organizations across Abi, Ikom, Etung, Obubra, Yakurr, and Boki LGAs.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Mr Otu Otu-Ita, was ably represented at the forum by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Dr Peter Uklala, who delivered the opening remarks. Dr Uklala emphasized the central role of citizen engagement in public finance management, asserting that the inputs gathered at the forum would serve as direct contributions to the formulation of the 2026 budget.
Providing context and background to the 2026 budget formulation process, the Director of Budget, Mr Benjamin Ubi, gave a detailed presentation on the 2025 budget’s performance. According to him, as of June 2025, the state had recorded significant progress in its financial obligations.
He reported that overhead costs stood at ₦79 billion, while capital expenditure reached ₦109 billion, representing a substantial commitment to infrastructural and developmental projects across the state. Mr Ubi also affirmed that personnel costs were performing robustly, with “no delays in the payment of salaries for civil servants and pensioners.
He praised the current administration’s adherence to fiscal discipline and said the state was committed to improving internally generated revenue (IGR) while maintaining a balanced approach to recurrent and capital expenditures.
Following the official presentations, the floor was opened for stakeholders’ contributions and feedback. This segment of the forum was marked by passionate and articulate presentations from community representatives, who used the opportunity to highlight the pressing issues affecting their localities.
Infrastructure development topped the list of concerns. Participants decried the deplorable condition of roads in various parts of the Central Senatorial District, particularly:
The Ikom urban road network, which residents say has been riddled with potholes, leading to frequent accidents and high vehicle maintenance costs.
The Isobendeghe–Boki road, described as a key agricultural route that connects farmers to markets but remains in a chronic state of disrepair.
The Yala Nkum–Nde ward axis, where erosion and lack of proper drainage have rendered several routes nearly impassable during the rainy season.
Equally prominent in the discourse was the need for educational infrastructure improvement. Speakers, particularly from women and youth groups, underscored the importance of revitalizing primary and secondary schools to stem the tide of out-of-school children and improve literacy rates.
Specific calls were made for the renovation and construction of several public schools, including:
Omindom Community School, Ofutop 2
Nkura Primary School, Ofutop Ward 1
Effray Primary and Secondary School, Etung LGA
Community Secondary School, Ofumbongha, Obubra LGA
Schools in Biakwan, Boki LGA
Community leaders from these areas lamented that dilapidated classrooms, leaking roofs, insufficient furniture, and lack of teaching aids have hampered learning. They appealed to the state government to prioritize education in the 2026 budget, noting that children in rural communities deserve equal learning opportunities.
Chief Ndoma Awor, a traditional ruler from Ikom, thanked the government for bringing the consultative process closer to the people. He expressed optimism that the administration would act on the concerns raised.
Also speaking, Miss Juliet Ofem, a representative of the students body advocated for increased budgetary allocation to youth empowerment programs, digital skills acquisition, and tertiary education scholarships.
Women’s groups, led by Mrs. Roseline Iwara, called for better health care facilities, maternal care programs, and support for rural women entrepreneurs.
In his closing remarks, Dr Uklala assured attendees that the feedback gathered from the forum would be meticulously reviewed and incorporated into the budget drafting process. He reiterated the government’s resolve to run an open and inclusive administration that places people at the heart of development.
Wednesday’s event in Ikom marks the continuation of a wider consultative process that the Cross River State Government is undertaking across all three senatorial districts. Analysts see it as part of Governor Bassey Otu’s broader strategy to democratize budgeting and increase public confidence in government.
This grassroots-centered approach to budgeting has been lauded by civil society organizations and governance experts who argue that real development happens when communities determine their own priorities.
As the 2026 budget preparation gathers momentum, residents of the Central Senatorial District now wait with cautious optimism, hoping that their inputs will not only appear in the budget document but also translate into transformative projects that will uplift their communities and livelihoods.