By Frank Ulom
The Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has criticised the recent quality-of-life report published by SBM Intelligence, describing its conclusions on Cross River State as flawed due to what it termed methodological weaknesses, inadequate sampling, and sweeping generalisations.
In a statement issued in Calabar and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, and Secretary, Dr Julius Ochim Okputu, the group expressed concern over the report titled “Where Nigerian Families Actually Thrive,” which ranked Cross River poorly across several governance and livability indicators.
The Forum acknowledged the role of independent research in promoting accountability and informed public discourse but argued that the report’s findings were not sufficiently supported by data.
According to the statement, the report relied on a Quality of Life Survey involving 442 respondents and a Power Survey involving 191 respondents across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, figures the Forum described as inadequate for drawing definitive conclusions about millions of residents across diverse socioeconomic and geographic settings.
“The report suffers from significant methodological limitations, analytical overreach, and sweeping generalisations that substantially weaken the credibility of its conclusions regarding Cross River State,” the statement said.
CRSCF questioned the report’s use of terms such as “state collapse,” “systemic governance failure,” and suggestions that relocation was “the only rational choice” for residents, arguing that such characterisations raised concerns about statistical representativeness and interpretative neutrality.
The Forum further alleged that parts of the publication blurred the distinction between empirical analysis and editorial opinion by relying heavily on anecdotal narratives, subjective interpretations, media reports, and emotionally charged language.
While acknowledging the developmental challenges highlighted in the report, the Forum maintained that the analysis failed to adequately consider wider national economic realities affecting states across the country.
It cited inflation, post-fuel subsidy reforms, rising energy costs, exchange rate volatility, and infrastructure deficits as factors impacting quality-of-life outcomes nationwide.
“The Forum maintains that quality-of-life outcomes cannot be isolated from broader national macroeconomic pressures, particularly within a federal system where many fiscal and structural constraints remain centrally influenced,” the statement noted.
The group also pointed to what it described as inconsistencies within the report. It observed that although Cross River was portrayed as experiencing severe institutional decline, the report reportedly indicated that 59.1 per cent of respondents in the state expressed optimism about future improvements in power supply, a figure said to be higher than those recorded in Abuja and Anambra State.
The Forum further referenced Rivers State, which reportedly performed strongly in healthcare, stability, and infrastructure metrics but still recorded a relocation intention rate of 40.4 per cent, suggesting that migration decisions may be influenced by broader social and economic factors beyond governance performance alone.
Defending the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, the Forum argued that the report failed to sufficiently capture several reforms and development initiatives undertaken since 2023 under the government’s “People First” agenda.
It highlighted ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, including works along the Calabar–Akamkpa corridor, the Okuku–Yala axis, and rural road interventions in Yakurr, Biase, Ikom, and Odukpani local government areas.
The statement also cited drainage rehabilitation and urban renewal projects within Calabar as part of efforts to improve infrastructure.
In the health sector, the Forum said the administration had revitalised primary healthcare centres across the 18 local government areas, upgraded dialysis facilities in Calabar and Ogoja, expanded health insurance coverage, strengthened immunisation campaigns, and introduced healthcare programmes targeting vulnerable groups.
It further highlighted interventions in education, including the payment of WAEC examination fees for thousands of students over the past three years, rehabilitation of classrooms, distribution of school furniture, promotion of education personnel, and expansion of technical and vocational education opportunities.
The Forum also pointed to initiatives in tourism and economic development, including the revitalisation of Marina Resort, efforts to reposition Carnival Calabar, restoration works at Obudu Ranch Resort, and programmes aimed at attracting investment into the tourism sector.
According to the statement, the administration has also supported agricultural development through partnerships with programmes such as LIFE-ND, APPEALS, and FADAMA, alongside youth empowerment and rural development initiatives.
It added that the government had paid outstanding pensions and gratuities inherited from previous administrations and employed more than 10,000 Cross Riverians into the state’s public and civil service.
While acknowledging that developmental challenges remain, the Forum argued that describing the state as being in a state of collapse was neither constructive nor reflective of the realities and aspirations of its people.
It warned that what it described as sensational portrayals could negatively affect investor confidence, tourism prospects, and public morale.
The Forum called on research organisations, policy institutions, and development stakeholders to adopt more transparent methodologies, broader representative sampling frameworks, stronger peer-review mechanisms, and balanced analytical language when producing reports with major political and socioeconomic implications.
CRSCF reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based advocacy, constructive policy engagement, and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening governance, public institutions, and sustainable development in Cross River State and Nigeria.
