An apex political group in Cross River State, Cross River Business Men’s Forum led by a philanthropist and prominent businessman, High Chief Henry Onwe has extolled the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Senator, Apostle, Prince Bassey Edet Otu for outstanding performance in the past three years.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Calabar, High Chief Onwe said the unnecessary criticism and fault- finding by some misguided persons stems from bele -aching and not based on sincere and neutral evaluation of the performance of the Governor in the last three years.
“In the past three years, His Excellency,Senator, Apostle, Prince Bassey Edet Otu has not only committed himself to only changing the infrastructural development of the state but economic landscape of the state which has significantly changed the lives of the people of the state.
“Our Sweet Prince has purposefully set standards and achieved lofty heights which no other administration has attained in recent times. In road construction and rehabilitation, educational advancement, agricultural mainstay, general infrastructural development and human capital enhancement which have all essentially restored the state to it’s pride of place in the comity of states”.
He said the governor in his characteristic way has taken measures and steps in reaching all parts of the state in terms of development and he does it silently which is a mark of true leadership and statesmanship”.
He said with the noble efforts so far undertaken by the Governor, some persons who are not used to quality environment where excellence is the order of the day are busy wasting their energies in the name of criticising the governor.
“In the words of Henry Ford, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. Governor Otu is not someone who chases empty clout through propaganda but believes in silent transformation and leaving the result to speak for itself. Perhaps, that is the reason some persons can take advantage and engaged in empty propaganda and slandering but even the blind can clearly see the giant strides and outstanding results the governor has achieved in the past three years and is still tirelessly achieving more.
He declared that in just three years, the governor has constructed, rehabilitated, or initiated construction of over 608 kilometres of road infrastructure across the three Senatorial districts of the state. Both the ongoing roads works and the ones completed are record breaking.
His “People First” agenda spreads across both urban inner-city upgrades and rural connectivity to boost commerce. He knows roads play a cardinal role in enhancing the economic growth of our people as an aggression based economy.
He listed roads so far constructed by the governor in the three years to include:
Calabar Municipality and Calabar South covering 2.8 kilometres..These include Etinyin-Abasi, Otomo Street, Uwanse, and Atamunu roads.
“Also there is the rehabilitation of Nyong Edem Road, Goldie Street, Mbukpa Road, Ikono Street, and Edim Otop Road. Construction and rehabilitation of Esuk Utan/NNPC Road, Jonathan Bypass, and Parliamentary Extension Road”.
He said while In Cross River North, the Governor has embarked on the rehabilitation of tj Ogoja-Katsina-Ala Road section at Ukpe- Ndok, Ndok -Monaya, and the Abakpa-Igoli-Moniaya Junction.
“Yala where I come from has five kilometres of rural roads in North Ukelle which spans through Yahe–Wanokom–Wanikade, While Yache had three kilometres of road including the bridge Yache–Afilokpa Road, and the Alifokpa Bridge. He has also completed the construction of over twenty five kilometres of road from Okpudu in Okpoma in Yala Local Government Area to Mfom junction in Ogoja in Ogoja Local Government Area.
“Sankwala Ring Road, and Beyaga-Ketiang Road While Work is rapidly ongoing on the Ndok Junction–Mbube–Okubushuyu Road which spans ten kilometres”.
High Chief Onwe said In the central district of the state , at Ikom, there is the emergency interventions and new construction segments along the crucial Ikom-Obudu Highway.
“And Akamkpa the Oban-Nsan Road stretching thirty kilometres to invigorate farming and trade networks is ongoing and right in Ikom various inner-city routes including Akang Street, Nko Street, Hospital Road, Etomi Road, and Idomi Road and being constructed”.
Speaking on the educational sector, High Chief Onwe stated that many schools have been rehabilitated across the three Senatorial districts and the state’s performance in national examinations like WAEC, NECO ,NABTEB and others have significantly improved.
“Governor Otu has restored scholarships and students funding. These are notable strides which have restored the state to its prime position in education”.
On Agriculture, he said Governor Otu has through the Project Grow piloted an initiative bringing to bear the transformation in agriculture to boost food production and unlock food security and commercial agribusiness in the state.
“150 billion in farm credit has been secured throw Project Grow an 18 billion naira off-take deal with Flour Mills of Nigeria”; This , he said is in addition to the state 7-year strategic plan for cash crops like cocoa, coffee, and oil palm production.
He said the governor has employed 2500 youths into the state’s workforce, a bold effort which has not been attempted by any other government in the state.
High Chief Onwe also highlighted the restoration of peace, security and serenity in the state which has allowed businesses to thrive.
“All over the state, the security situation is absolutely commendable. Those frequent kidnappings, armed robbery, night attacks have become a thing of the past. One could stay out at night or return from a journey at any time of the day, nobody molests him or her. Night life which was almost ground to a halt is back fully thriving and the fear that usually comes with night fall is gone. That is a sure testament of the Sweet Prince Mantra and we love him”.
Taking a swipe at those engaging in fault finding on the governor, Onwe said “Those who have shot themselves on the foot through avarice and rapacious acts in positions given to them on platter of gold have now found the odious voice to speak because like a fish out of water, they know that they have been swept away thus what they indulge in now is blackmail, misinformation and unnecessary desperation in order to give the impression that they are saints and messiahs.
He restated his stand on the endorsement of Senator ,Prince Bassey Otu by him and his teeming members along with their supporters assuring that the door-to- canvassing for votes to ensure massive turnout and harvest of votes for the governor, President and All Progressive Congress, APC, candidates is a done deal.
“Our hands are on deck and our feet ready to go round every nook and cranny of the state to ensure massive votes harvest and landslide victory for our dear Governor, the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the coming election.”
