By Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kasim Shetima has commissioned two new CRJ-1000 aircrafts, acquired by the Cross River state government to take the State’s fleet to four aircrafts.
Senator Shetima, who also commissioned a state-of-the-art ICT hub/digital library designed to boost micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, said the projects would help youths rediscover their potentials in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, Tuesday, while unveiling the aircrafts, the Vice President commended Governor Bassey Otu for utilizing the meagre resources accruable to the State from the federation account to add meanings to the lives of the citizens and boost the economy.
In his brief remarks, Governor Otu said his administration was consolidating on three “engines of development” initiated by his predecessors, and vowed not to discontinue any noble project initiated he met.
“I came to meet three engines of development which were already put in motion by my predecessors. Former governor Donald Duke had embarked on urban transformation and tourism, under Senator Liyel Imoke, it was rural development while Senator Ben Ayade had industrialization as a focus. I intend to build on these lofty dreams.
“Today’s commissioning is part of strengthening our aviation sector, which is crucial to our tourism development policy. With two aircraft already flying, we are adding two more now and will soon add three more, creating an aviation hub that serves not just Nigeria, but extends to Guinea-Bissau and the Gulf of Guinea,” he stated.
At the ICT hub and Library dedicated to supporting MSMEs, “This ICT hub forms part of the ‘Season of Sweetness’ which keys into the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are determined to build a subnational economy that will serve both Cross River and Nigeria at large.
“Already, our economy is changing, food prices have dropped, and with ongoing infrastructure work, transportation costs will follow suit.”
Credit: Blueprint Newspaper
