… Lawmakers Laud Otu’s Achievements in Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Economic Growth, Urge Other Aspirants to Step Down
Calabar – In a latest political development, the Southern Caucus of the 10th Cross River State House of Assembly has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Bassey Edet Otu, endorsing him as their sole choice for the 2027 governorship election. The announcement was made during a press statement presented at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Centre, Calabar on Tuesday, NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The caucus, comprising representatives from nine state constituencies in the Southern Senatorial District—Akamkpa 1, Akamkpa 2, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Biase, Calabar South 1, Calabar South 2, Calabar Municipal, and Odukpani—praised Governor Otu’s administration for its remarkable achievements in infrastructure development, economic revitalization, agriculture, health, and youth empowerment.
In their statement, the lawmakers outlined several achievements of Governor Otu’s administration, including:
1. Economic Revitalization and IGR Growth:
The administration has boosted the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 60.6% (N36.3 billion) from June 2023 to May 2024. The state’s credit rating has also improved from ‘BB’ to ‘BBB’, enabling it to secure $4,000,000 in Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI) due to sound financial management.
2. Agricultural Reforms:
Governor Otu’s administration has completed comprehensive soil test analyses, distributed light farm equipment under the FADAMA NG-CARES scheme, and inaugurated a 50,000-hectare rice farm in Ndok, Ogoja LGA, expected to yield 300,000 tons of rice annually.
3. Infrastructure Development:
The administration has declared a “total war on potholes” in Calabar and other major towns, rehabilitated intra-city roads, and made significant progress on the Ikom-Obudu Highway and Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road. Plans are also underway to acquire the Ikot Nyong Electricity Power Plant, which will make Cross River a net exporter of power.
4. Health Sector Improvements:
The administration has allocated 13% of the 2024 budget to the health sector, installed medical oxygen plants in Copia and Calabar General Hospitals, and established a modern fistula facility at the General Hospital, Calabar.
5. Environmental Sustainability:
The Green Carnival Initiative has been launched to promote tree planting and sustainable land use practices, while the Bakassi Deep Sea Port project is set to transform the state’s economic fortunes.
6. Youth Development and Empowerment:
Thousands of vulnerable youths have received monthly stipends under the Labour Intensive Public Workforce of the NG-CARES program, while others have been sponsored for internships and skill acquisition programs.
7. Security and Peace:
The administration has strengthened security through collaborations with security agencies and community policing initiatives, ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
Endorsement for 2027 Governorship
The caucus declared Governor Otu as their only choice for the 2027 governorship election, urging other potential aspirants to step down and support his re-election bid. “No reasonable team will replace its best goal scorer before the end of the match when he is still in high performance,” the statement read.
The lawmakers also commended the contributions of the First Lady, Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, whose initiatives in healthcare and women’s empowerment have complemented the governor’s achievements.
The caucus called on all Cross Riverians and residents of the state to “think Cross River and the collective good of the state.” They urged Governor Otu to accept their clarion call to recontest for the governorship in 2027, emphasizing the need to sustain the progress witnessed under his administration.
The press release was signed by the following members of the Southern Caucus:
– Rt. Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo (Leader, Cross River State House of Assembly and Chairman, Southern Caucus, Odukpani State Constituency)
– Hon. Linus Bassey Etim (Deputy Whip, Akamkpa II State Constituency)
– Hon. Okon Owuna (Chairman, House Committee on Privatization and BPP, Akamkpa I State Constituency)
– Hon. Bassey Effiong Bassey (Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Akpabuyo State Constituency)
– Hon. Evo Bassey (Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bakassi State Constituency)
– Hon. Francis Onete Ogban (Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Biase State Constituency)
– Hon. Stanley Bassey Nsemo (Chairman, Committee on Lands and Housing, Calabar Municipal State Constituency)
– Hon. Effiong Ekarika (Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum, Calabar South I State Constituency)
– Hon. Victor Nsa (Chairman, Committee on Transport, Calabar South II State Constituency).
