The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriations and Finance has begun its public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget, with the committee Chairman, Itorobong Etim, declaring the session open.
Etim said the forum was designed to allow citizens, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to scrutinise the state government’s financial plans for the coming year.
He welcomed first-time participants and stressed that public engagement remains a vital pillar of democratic governance.
The legislator reminded attendees that Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution mandates governors to present annual revenue and expenditure estimates to their respective legislatures.
Governor Umo Eno, he noted, complied with this requirement by presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill on 25 November.
The bill passed first reading on the same day, scaled second reading on December 2, and was thereafter referred to the committee for in-depth review.
Etim emphasised that public participation in the budget process is both a constitutional expectation and a measure of transparency.
He cited Section 14(2)(c) of the constitution as well as the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 and the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2020, all of which encourage public consultation and prudent fiscal management.
During the hearing, the commissioner for finance is expected to provide a detailed breakdown of the proposed 2026 budget, while the commissioner for budget and economic planning will present the policy thrust and capital expenditure framework.
Outlining the objectives of the session, Etim said the hearing is intended to enhance citizen involvement, enable the executive to present its performance report, inform the public of the state’s economic condition, gather feedback on ongoing programmes, promote awareness for smooth budget implementation, and deepen accountability.
Gov. Eno’s proposed 2026 budget, tagged: “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth,” is estimated at ₦1.39 trillion, a decrease from the revised 2025 budget of ₦1.65 trillion.
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Etim added that the policy direction of the 2026 proposal aligns with the agenda of Gov. Eno, which prioritises agriculture, rural development, infrastructure expansion and maintenance, security, and education.
He commended Gov. Eno for the achievements recorded over the past 30 months, particularly in industrialisation and tourism, and expressed gratitude to the speaker, legislators, committee members, assembly staff, and the press for their cooperation.
The public hearing continues as stakeholders examine the projections and priorities for the 2026 fiscal year.
