By Frank Ulom
Governor Bassey Otu has listed over 12 achievements/milestones in his first seven months in office as Governor of Cross River State.
The achievements were listed during the 19th Cross River State Executive Council Meeting held on Wednesday 20th December 2023 at the State Council of Chiefs Chambers, presided over by him [Otu] and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
At the meeting that was attended by the Commissioners and other members, Otu apprised the Council of the modest achievements of his Peoples’ First Administration in the last Seven Months, including embarking on aggressive drive to reduce fiscal wastage and subsidise productivity in a manner that will foster long term prosperity as well as other bold reforms that are intentionally dealing with the fundamentals from bottom to top approach.
The Governor also approved a lot of projects to embark on, including the dualisation of Heavily trafficked Esuk Utan Road, Leading to the NNPC Depot and other Tank Farms, construction of 2km Nyong Edem/Eyo Okon and Effio-Ette-Ikot Eyo link roads, rehabilitation of other roads and many more.
Highlights of the Governor’s milestones are:
* Commencement of Soil survey/fertility mapping of Cross River State
* Aggressive Elevation of the State Oil Palm Production Status with the development of 3.5 Million Oil Palm Seedlings Nurseries in 13 designated locations across the State.
* Commenced the Single Largest agricultural productivity reform with the launch of the Transparent and digitally managed N30 billion commercial agric development fund called “Project Grow”.
* To promote all-year-round agricultural production, the administration approved the Cross River State-Wide Irrigation Infrastructure Development Project (SWIID).
* To attract investment in the Cassava Sub-sector, the State has developed a Cassava Value Chain Development Policy framework for public-private partnerships due to be launched this December 2023.
* Approved and commenced the Extension of the current Small Holder Cocoa Development Scheme to include the development of Cocoa Estate in Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Odukpani, Ikom Obubra and Bekwara L.G.A. under PHASE 1 while the regeneration of existing ones is on-going.
* Commenced the Home Stead farming project to mitigate food insecurity and the high cost of food.
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Aside from the agricultural sector, other areas in which Governor Otu has made an impact are:
** Upgrading of Joint Hospital Ikom to a General Hospital.
** Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Internal Roads in the Calabar metropolis.
** On-going beautification of Roundabouts and Road junctions Across the State for the Christmas festival and Carnival Calabar 2023.
** Signed an MOU for the establishment of a 1GW Solar PV Manufacturing Plant to be located at the Free Trade Zone.
** Also attracted 100 Million Euros Investment for the restoration of 57,000 hectares of degraded mangroves in the State, amongst many other achievements.
As a further commitment to build on these achievements, the Council deliberated and approved the following:
1. Council approved a memo by the Commissioner for Information to commence a Strategic Upgrade of some key equipment/facilities at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation to achieve wider reach and improved programming for the overall benefit of the citizenry.
2. In furtherance of the commitment of the Governor, Bassey Edet Otu-led administration to make roads in the Capital City Calabar more motorable and further improve the living standards of residents, improve the peoples’ living standard as well as boost the serenity and security of the environment, Council approve.
a. Construction of the combined 2km Nyong Edem/Eyo Okon and Effio-Ette-Ikot Eyo link roads in Calabar Municipality using concrete pavement.
b. The rehabilitation and maintenance of some roads in Calabar Metropolis by the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure under direct labour.
c. The Rehabilitation and Maintenance of the 1.9 kilometres Heavily trafficked Esuk Utan Road, Leading to the NNPC Depot and other Tank Farms with the Intention of Dualising, Increasing and Strengthening the carriageway and proper drainage construction.
3. Finally, in the spirit of the Season of Sweetness, Governor Otu directed the distribution of 60 Bags of Rice to each of the 196 political Wards across the State to support the people in the Christmas celebration.