THE Cross River State Business Men’s Forum, an association with over ten thousand business executives in all sectors spanning the entire Cross River and the diaspora has again restated its unalloyed support for Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s second tenure.
The Business Men’s Forum made this known after a meeting in Calabar where the performance of Governor Otu in the last three years was celebrated following its excellent performance because it is “effectively changing the landscape and lives of people of Cross River State,” the Forum stated.
High Chief Henry Onwe, the President of the Forum Project Coordinator for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in Cross River State who led the Forum in the landmark endorsement stated on Sunday after the meeting of the Forum in Calabar told newsmen that this was not the first time the Forum was throwing its weight behind the Governor. “This Forum was about the first group to throw its total support behind our Governor, the Sweet Prince Bassey Edet Otu for second tenure. During his one year in office we saw the commitment, excellence and clear mission to develop the state right from inception and we knew and felt that another four years after the first tenure would enable him consolidate and actualise the vision and desires the people of the state have been longing for all these while and that is what shall come to be”.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Governor Otu orders immediate release of detained critic, Dennis Odama
High Chief Onwe who was flanked by his teeming members spoke glowingly of the Prince Otu’s administration saying the picture of the pace and standard Governor Otu has taken the state these past three years is exceptional and clearly, everyone even those who pretend not to see are making a mockery of themselves because even the blind can see the strides the governor has taken the state in just three years.
“If you look at the infrastructural development these past three years cutting across all sectors of the economy: education, health, roads, power, security architecture, human capital development are all impressive and clearly stand this administration out and in the second tenure much more would be achieved to restore the Pride of our dear state for all time”
The Business Men’s Forum said the Governor in his magnanimity has extended his Sweetness to low income earners through tax rebate and cut in daily charges
“His Excellency has drastically slashed daily ticket fees and exempted vulnerable groups like women and elderly commercial drivers from paying taxes and others from multiple taxation.
“Tricycle operators daily ticket fees have been slashed from ₦1,200 down to ₦500, while commercial minibus rates were reduced from ₦850 to ₦500 with exemption of women working in commercial transport and male drivers aged 60 and above who own their vehicles have been completely exempted from paying vehicle registration fees and daily operational levies . Also, inter-city drivers’ ticket charges were lowered from ₦1,350 to ₦750, and private park operators were adjusted to ₦450. These reductions have put more money in the pockets of these people and boosted their welfare”.
According to the Business Men’s Forum, the Otu administration has equally made strategic investments in youths welfare through empowerment schemes and employment opportunities into the state civil service.
“Thousands of youths have been offered employment into the state and local government services which has boosted their wellbeing and assured these youths of a great future. Cross River youths have a father in Senator, Prince Bassey Edet Otu who has demonstrated true love for them that is the reason they have reciprocated his love with massive support”.
High Chief Henry Onwe called on everyone all over the state to support the second tenure of Prince Bassey Otu because he embodies the resilience spirit of magnanimity and selflessness which is growing and transforming the state.
“The recent unveiling of $1.07b Public-Private Partnership Investment is historic and a landmark effort towards creating more jobs, facilitating growth and transforming the state. The PPP package following the approval of 16 transformative projects by the State Executive Council spanning virtually every sector including key schemes in agriculture, renewable energy, transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, infrastructure and environmental sustainability, reinforce the Otu administration’s determination to accelerate industrialization, attract private capital, create thousands of jobs and position Cross River as one of Nigeria’s most competitive investment destinations,” he declared.
These projects Onwe said need consolidation and the second tenure would provide the right platform to actualise and activate these schemes which will serve long lasting legacy and effective significance to the altruistic performance of only one man, Senator Apostle, Prince Bassey Edet Otu and every one who desires the good of Cross River Must Support.
The Forum further commended the administration for its deep inclusive engagement with the organized private sector, highlighting recent collaborations that have empowered thousands of market traders, artisanal groups, and youth entrepreneurs across the 18 Local Government Areas. In closing, the Cross River State Businessmen’s Forum called upon all well-meaning citizens, trade unions, and corporate associations across the state to rally behind Governor Bassey Edet Otu and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, ensuring the continuity of an administration that places the prosperity of its people and the growth of its economy above all else.
