joshuaCross River has witnessed dramatic turnaround under Otu – Akiba
The Special Adviser on General Duties to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, says the governor has done a lot to turn around the fortunes of the state and make life better for Cross Riverians since he assumed office about 19 months ago.
Akiba, a young talented lawyer and astute politician playing a prominent role as one of the drivers of Otu’s People-First administration, made the remarks in an interview published by the Pillar Today, an online news medium.
In the interview, the legal pundit said: “One year and seven months counting of the People First government led by our dynamic governor, a trial-blazer, a passionate leader, a transformative governor, on a transformational mission, and above all, a Biblical general, an Apostle of Christ, socio-economic indices of Cross River have witnessed a dramatic turnaround.”
Barrister Akiba noted that Governor Otu has succeeded in redefining leadership, and Cross River’s identity, status and history, thereby creating an opportunity for the lost glory of the state to be regained.
Cross River State, according to him, is naturally endowed with a lot of potentials, opportunities, resources to enhance food security, social security, tourism and all the factors of production.
“But over the period there have been this winding down of these opportunities. Before His Excellency came on board, Cross River State had been in the state of stagnation, political darkness, societal embarrassment, and traditional frustration.
“But one year and seven months of His Excellency’s administration has been that of recovery, that of reassurance, that of reformation, that of reinvention, and repositioning of Cross River. There is no gain listing the transformational effort of His Excellency because it is visible to even the blind as someone once said, unless somebody is controlled by demonic powers or intentionally envious or going through some level of political malice with His Excellency and his team. It is only such individuals that would deny the level of transformative action of His Excellency at all levels,” he added.
Continuing, he said, “It is clear that today we have well over 60 reconstructed and constructed roads internally and externally in the state. We have been able to witness massive intervention in our infrastructure.
“The State Library edifice today is now being transformed into international standard. The civil service commission edifice is now a wonder to behold. The Governor’s Office has witnessed the Midas touch of the Governor. Today, when you pass through that place, you would be proud to be a Cross Riverian.
“The Presidential Lodge, The Governor’s House itself, Her Excellency’s office, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Speakers Lodge are now wearing new looks. This is as a result of a deliberate policy of government to turn things around in the State.
“Recently there was a ground breaking in Ogoja local government for the Government Lodge there. His Excellency is ensuring that all sectors are given maximum attention to the best of his ability and running according to time.
“So, for me, this one year running into two years of His Excellency has been full of actions, and less on words. Full of actions, less on words, because actions they said, speak louder than words.
“You would agree with me that Calabar is clean, our environment is more conducive than it was. Investors are returning, our sports have been given its pride of place.
You would also agree with me that there are a lot of medical interventions, for instance the ‘Health Outreaches’ coordinated by the Office of Her Excellency, and the Ministry of Health. As I speak to you over 2000 people are in the General hospital undergoing all forms of free surgeries, and a lot of referrals.
“Nigerian Navy and other relevant services are mobilized to ensure that health interventions are taken to the communities. His Excellency has done a lot in terms of Primary Healthcare rehabilitations because the rural dwellers had suffered a lot of crises in terms of accessing health services.
“His Excellency is doing a lot in terms of rural electrification, because when we have rural energy people can self-survive. I say so because the man in the village would be able to do his barbing where there is electricity without bothering you for financial support. Also, the woman in the village would be able to do her business, she wants to sell her cool drinks, where there is electricity.”
The SA General Duties also noted that “The Governor has done a lot in terms of the beautification of the city centres like Ogoja, Ikom, and Calabar, where we now have traffic lights, where we now have Solar light. The beauty of Calabar is back.
“If you go to Marina Resort you would see what is going on there, in terms of investors coming in to invest multi-millions and it would remain with us.
“In partnership with NEWMAP, erosion is now being controlled without it pulling down homes as was in recent time. For instance, the Yellow-Duke Road erosion menace, which had swallowed homes and vehicles, has become a thing of the past.
“Within this one and a half year of Prince Otu’s government, retirees are smiling to the banks with their pensions and backlog of gratuities being paid. Civil service relationship has been robust.
“For the first time in many years, His Excellency has lifted the ban on employment. I can beat my chest to say that this is the first time we have a governor that is attending to all sectors of the economy simultaneously.
“Go to the International Conference Center which was destroyed during the ENDSARS protest, it has become a wonder to behold, the Obudu Cattle Range is being brought back to what it used to be. Contract for the total turnaround of the Cultural Centre complex has been awarded.
There have been new foundations, new ground has been broken by the Governor, and the people are happy with him. There is a lot of review and upgrade even in the transport sector. Today you can go to the Adiabo Road that has been abandoned for more than two decades.”
