Governor Bassey Otu
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River state is to benefit from the Federal Government’s $538.5 million Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Programme.
Already the state government at its 5th Executive Council (Exco) meeting on Friday presided over by the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu at the Council of Chief Chamber (temporary meeting venue of the Exco), gave approval for the release of the State’s counterpart fund for the programme which Cross River is the only state in the South-South zone of the country qualified for it.
African Development Bank (ADB), which is one of the project partners is injecting over $210 million in investment funds into seven participating States in Nigeria including Cross River State for the programme.
Other project partners such as the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are jointly contributing $310 million while the Nigerian Government is investing $18.05 million.
This was contained in the eighth point resolutions of the 5th State Exco meeting as signed by State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang.
Other approvals granted by the Exco according to Ekpang in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, include the draft Executive Bill seeking to establish a State University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Awi, Akamkpa local government area. The proposed university is to take over the current facilities of the State College of Education, Awi, Akamkpa local government area.
The Information Commissioner explained that the approved Executive Bill will be transmitted to the State Legislature for further legislative action, including public hearing by the legislature, before final nod is given to the proposal.
He said the Exco also approved, “a proposal seeking a strategic collaboration in the State between Universities and Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) to foster local fabrication of basic necessities in Agriculture, Education materials, Health care, Water and Sanitation.
“The acceptance of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) offer to settle outstanding indebtedness for Tinapa Business Resort, whereby in eighteen months the State will make full redemption of its obligations through equal monthly instalment payments and thereafter, pave way for future investments and revitalization efforts for the resort”.
The State Library which is currently under renovation got an approval for a revised scope of work after it was disclosed that the earlier contractor, an indigenous firm, disappointed the State and had its contract revoked.
The State Cabinet also approved the proposal for Urban Water Rehabilitation to be facilitated by development partners, without cost to the State Government. The said funds will be credited as grant in tranches within the duration of the project, Ekpang said.
Flagging off the meeting, Governor Otu charged members of the Exco to brace up for greater records of successes in this second year of the Administration.
He said a good number of achievements have been recorded by the Administration in the last one year and “much more would have been recorded if not for some obvious challenges that are receiving attention currently…results are what matter and very soon, we are getting to where results will count and every Commissioner must brace up.”
He commended all Exco members for the role they have played individually and collectively for the Administration to record the achievements accounted for it within the first year.
