The Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has marked Governor Bassey Otu’s 67th birthday with a scorecard of achievements in road construction and maternal healthcare, describing the occasion as a testament to purposeful leadership.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, and Secretary, Dr. Julius Ochim Okputu, on Sunday, the forum said the governor’s “People First” agenda has continued to deliver steady transformation across key sectors of the state.
According to the group, the administration’s infrastructure record includes the construction and rehabilitation of hundreds of kilometres of roads, the completion of long-abandoned projects, and a deliberate prioritisation of rural access roads to connect underserved communities to markets and public services.
In the health sector, the CRSCF cited a doubled budgetary allocation, the revitalisation of over 100 primary healthcare centres, the recruitment of more than 2,000 health professionals, and the introduction of free maternal and child care services — interventions it said have improved access to care for women and children, particularly in rural areas.
The forum also highlighted gains in education and agriculture, noting the consistent payment of WAEC fees for tens of thousands of indigenous students between 2024 and 2026, the establishment of new tertiary institutions, and the rollout of Project GROW, which has seen the distribution of mini-tractors and improved seedlings, the creation of crop-specific clusters, and the signing of significant offtake agreements with buyers.
On the economic front, it pointed to the successful recovery of Tinapa Business and Resort, the expansion of Cally Air, progress on the Obudu Cargo Airport, the focused advancement of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, and ongoing efforts to reenlist Cross River as an oil-producing state.
The CRSCF said the governor’s broader vision — encompassing a secured and peaceful state, human capital development, agricultural transformation, tourism revival and the blue economy — continues to inspire hope and chart a clear path toward shared prosperity. It prayed for renewed strength, sound health, greater wisdom and divine favour for the governor as he consolidates these gains, wishing him a year filled with joy, peace and outstanding success in the service of the people.
The statement, which closed with the forum’s slogan, “CRSCF… For History. For Progress. For Equity,” presents the birthday as an occasion for measured reflection on governance and development rather than mere festivity — a framing consistent with the group’s emphasis on accountability and long-term progress in Cross River State.
