Gov Otu Focused On People First Agenda, Restoring Cross River Lost Glory- Hon Ekpang
By Ignatius Ushie
The Cross River State Commissioner for Information Dr Erasmus Ekpang has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Sen Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River State in rebirthing the state in all its ramifications.
The Commissioner who made the affirmation during a strategic session with members of Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) in Abuja.
Dr Ekpang stated that the administration inherited a state that was sarcastically laughed at, mocked at and talked about in negative narratives.
According to him, “But today the story is different because we came to rebuild Cross River State and return it to its former glory, the cleanest state in Nigeria, a cultural paradise, the most secure, serene and peaceful. It isn’t about discarding the past, but recovering what was lost and strengthening what we have,” he stated.
The Commissioner further underscored Sen Bassey Otu’s focus on Recovery Strategy aimed at restoring functionality, reclaiming lost assets, and laying the groundwork for sustainable development.
He noted that Cross River State was celebrated for its tourism potentials and beautiful natural environment, but in recent years suffered visible decline, as crumbling infrastructure, stalled government projects, and environmental degradation, contributing to a general perception of stagnation.
Responding to a question on continuity, he said Governor Otu unlike his counterparts elsewhere, has opted for continuity in governance with a more strategic approach, focusing on completing and reviving existing projects, particularly those that had consumed large sums of taxpayers’ money but failed to deliver expected returns.
According to him, “one of the first moves was to recover state-owned assets such as Tinapa Business Resort, which had been taken over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, and the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which had reportedly changed hands outside the public glare.
“Also on the Governor’s radar is the Deep Sea Port project, a long-proposed maritime hub that remains largely on paper.”
According to Ekpang, by revisiting these legacy projects, the administration seeks to harness their economic potential and reestablish Cross River as an investment destination. adding that,
“The Governor is not in office to start afresh with abandoned dreams. He’s here to make those past efforts count,” the commissioner stated.
