A leader whose people are strongly behind will do more but a leader who is distracted will do less. This has always been an instrument in governance since time immemorial.
Barely one year and four months after Governor Bassey Otu was sworn in as Governor of Cross River State, there have been policies, developments and outcries – and in all, residents of the state, indigenes and non-indigenes alike, have felt a change.
Notable among the ongoing developments are the fixation of old traffic lights in Calabar and the introduction of new ones at Eta-Agbor by Akim, Mary Slessor by Target, Mayne Avenue by Webber/Atamunu, Yellow Duke by Ekpo Abasi, Ekpo Abasi Junction by UNICROSS (CRUTECH) and other places.
The fixing of streetlights and potholes, rehabilitation of strategic roads and construction and expansion of new roads across the state should not be left out.
Acquisition of more aircraft for the state-owned airline, Cally Air, release of funds for the payment of gratuity, removing the embargo for employment, flagging off of the construction of railway from Calabar to Obudu, flagging off of the construction of 11km Adiabo-Ikoneto Road, improved security, are just a few to mention that the Governor Otu-led administration is doing.
Calling for support for Otu, Mr Edem Darlington, initiator of “Think Cross River”, said the administration would not have achieved all it has without the support of the people.
“We are here to salute Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for looking at our retirees who have not received gratuities since 2012 and releasing N10 billion to upset the bills and put a smile on the faces of those who toiled and suffered for the state,” Darlington told journalists on Wednesday in Calabar.
Remarking further, Darlington, Deputy Press Secretary to Governor Otu, said, “We want to applaud the Governor creating an alternative route through Adiabo, bypassing Calabar-Itu Road and reducing the distance to Akwa Ibom State by 70%.
“Thirdly, it is about the governor’s recent flag-off of the railway project, which will take off from Calabar up to Obudu and from what we’ve heard, we are aware that there will be stopovers in Ugep, Ikom, and Ogoja. Again, that project will greatly minimise the long distance of leaving Calabar to Obudu, that is, about 7-8 hours or even 9 depending on the nature of the road but with the flag off of that railway project, it will take about an hour for you to move from Calabar to Obudu. So, these are very worthy feats that we felt that we should commend the Governor for taking such giant steps to ensure that Cross Riverians enjoy ease of transportation.”
Darlington said the Think Cross River initiative aims to get everyone involved in the promotion of the tourism sector of the state, businesses and investment opportunities available in the state.
“Cross River State has very friendly people; we are naturally very hospitable, so, that is the very first attraction for any serious business or investor. You can see that for a long while we have remained the most peaceful state in the country, so naturally, Cross River is the darling of every investor who actually wants to put his money and make real gains from it.
“This initiative is to promote everything about Cross River, and also, very importantly, to call on all Cross Riverians to join hands with the Governor, our dearest Sweet Prince, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, and promote what he is doing, support the current administration and also promote everything that has to do with Cross River State.
“It is a tool to unite Cross Riverians. So, whether you are from Cross River originally or you are living in the state, it doesn’t really matter but the fact that you are doing business or living here means that you are a Cross Riverian,” he maintained.
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