By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Governor Bassey Otu has unveiled the Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP) to deepen his People-Oriented administration across the state.
The unveiling was made during the 12th meeting of the Cross River State Executive Council, which took place on Monday, 20th October 2025, at the State Executive Council Chambers, inside the Governor’s Office Complex, Calabar.
According to the Governor, the historic welfare initiative is a bold social re-engineering framework designed to expand the frontiers of government responsibility and ensure that citizens across all strata benefit directly from the present administration’s development agenda.
Otu further pointed out that the initiative emerged from the need to continually find ways of cushioning the pressure of dwindling available resources through an integrated approach involving government, the private sector, manufacturers, and the people themselves.
He noted that the new programme would touch every corner of the 196 Political Wards of the State by deepening the impact of his administration’s “People First” philosophy, emphasising that “this is not just another policy; it is a people-centred covenant”.
“Through the Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP), we are ensuring that the benefits of governance seep into every household, particularly among the less privileged and those facing sanitation and welfare challenges,” he said.
READ ALSO: Cross River to build 2 flyovers at Mobil and Effio-Ette
Continuing, Governor Otu said under the new CRSIP framework, two key Committees are to be constituted: The Cross-Value and Partnership Committee, will coordinate multi-sectoral projects that shall address the peculiar needs of various social groups and serve as a bridge of collaboration between government and society, harnessing value chains and partnerships while the second Committee, to be called Project HOPE (Cross River Universal Opportunity Programme for Empowerment), is designed to provide renewed hope and purpose for the Elderly and Vulnerable members of the society.
“Our elders deserve to live their twilight years with pride and comfort,” Governor Otu enthused, adding that, “through Project HOPE, we will restore not only their livelihoods but also their sense of belonging and value within our communities.”
The Governor further hinted that membership of the two committees will be carefully done to guarantee inclusivity and directed that 50 Youths and 50 Adults each would be identified across the 196 Political Wards of the State, cutting across political, gender, and ethnic boundaries.
“This process will be transparent, fair, and purely merit-driven,” the Governor said, emphasising that “We will ensure that every Cross Riverian, irrespective of creed, status, or political leaning, has a stake in this transformative journey.”
Governor Otu told EXCO members to remain more committed and determined to drive the process with him as the Cross River Social Investment Programme embodies his administration’s unyielding devotion to human development and inclusive governance.
“This is what the People First agenda truly means,” he declared. “It is about governance that listens, leadership that serves, and progress that touches every life. With CRSIP, we are building not just a stronger economy, but a fairer and more compassionate society”, the Governor concluded.
The EXCO meeting which was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, approved several critical projects and programmes.
