Governor Bassey Otu
By Anietie Akpan
The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has raised the alarm over the growing rate of arms importation into the country by expatriate workers.
Otu who raised this concern on July 17 at the 6th meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO) for 2024, said something urgent needs to be done as the situation “is now a huge security risk to the state”.
This was contained in a resolution of the meeting signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang which the governor called for “documentation of the profiles of all expatriates working with indigenous and foreign companies in the state, failing which will lead to revocation of operational Licences and closure of such companies”.
He also used the occasion to direct the enforcement of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by all companies in the state.
Governor Otu expressed appreciation to the members of the State Executive Council for the successes recorded in the last one year of his “People First” administration, emphasizing that from the second year and beyond, EXCO members must up their game during meetings by making useful contributions and interrogating all Memos presented before Council.
This, the Governor noted will strengthen the operations of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), enrich the quality of Executive Council discourse as well as enable EXCO members to keep track of government development plans, policies and projects and be able to defend such government positions irrespective of whether it is their Ministry or not.
He advised EXCO members and senior civil servants against absence from their official duties, especially when he is out of the state, stressing that “continuing with such unhealthy practices will not promote the needed development in the state”.
He used the occasion to intimate the State Executive Council of the arrival in the country of the body of Late Elder Statesman and former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas through the efforts of his administration and announced the constitution of the State Burial Committee headed by the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
In the four point resolution, the EXCO ratified the approval of funds for the conduct of the 2024 Cross River State Primary Six Placement and Secondary School Examinations
Ratified the approval of funds for direct purchase of 21 Units of Innoson Vehicles by the State Government to boost security surveillance by Security Agencies across the State.
It also approved the development of the new Calabar Central Business District with the new Cultural Centre as the focal Point.
The release of funds for payment to AFG Aviation Ireland Limited for Leasing on two CR-J Aircrafts, including the perfection of the entire Lease arrangements and delivery of the two Aircrafts by October 2024.
