Accolades As Mayor of Calabar Turns 58
By Ekanem Asuquo
Encomiums poured in on Wednesday as the Mayor of Calabar, Apostle James Anam, marked his 58th birthday, with political leaders, stakeholders and residents celebrating his leadership style and the visible transformation of Calabar Municipality under his administration.
In goodwill messages, stakeholders commended the Mayor for his unwavering commitment to service, visionary leadership, integrity and people centred governance, which observers say have repositioned the local government for efficiency and growth.
Speaking on the occasion, a former councillor of Ward Seven, Hon. Chief Etim Archibong, described Apostle Anam’s tenure as reform driven and impactful. He pointed to the massive facelift of the Calabar Municipal Council Secretariat, noting that the renovation and construction of a landmark office complex have enhanced the aesthetics of the facility and addressed long standing office accommodation challenges for political appointees.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Finance in Calabar Municipality, Hon. Henry Okon, applauded the Mayor for streamlining the council’s internal revenue generation process through a modern and transparent approach. He said the reforms have curtailed leakages, wastages and abuse, while ending the practice of engaging political jobbers as revenue contractors under the guise of political settlement.
In his remarks, an APC chieftain in Calabar, Chief Bassey Effiom Basol, highlighted the administration’s focus on youth empowerment, disclosing that 150 youths have been engaged as non statutory staff. He said the beneficiaries earn between eighty thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand naira, paid directly from the council’s internally generated revenue.
Basol further applauded the ongoing renovation of the Marian and Ikot Ishie markets, describing the initiative as unprecedented and befitting Calabar Municipality’s status as the state capital. He also cited the installation of solar powered boreholes across the ten wards, beginning from Abang Asang in Ward One, to address challenges of potable water supply.
Also speaking, a party stalwart, Princess Grace Okon attributed the prevailing peace, safety of lives and property in the municipality to the Mayor’s strong synergy with security agencies, which she said has boosted commercial activities and public confidence.
In his contribution, the Supervisor for Humanitarian Affairs, Frank Effiom, described the humane posture of the council chairman as the driving force behind the various people oriented projects undertaken by the administration to add value to lives and give residents a sense of belonging.
Responding during a surprise birthday celebration held at Ward Seven, Apostle Anam expressed profound gratitude to God for His faithfulness, mercy and compassion, noting that his journey in public service has been guided by divine grace.
The Mayor thanked the people of Calabar Municipality for their support, prayers and cooperation, describing the occasion as a moment of reflection and renewed commitment to service. He assured residents of inclusive leadership that would carry all segments of the municipality along, irrespective of political or social differences.
He reaffirmed his unalloyed loyalty and cooperation with the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, pledging to align council policies and programmes with the state government’s Season of Sweetness agenda. He vowed to replicate its dividends across the nooks and crannies of Calabar metropolis to ensure that governance impacts directly on the lives of the people.
As Apostle James Anam celebrates his 58th birthday, stakeholders expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms and projects would further strengthen governance and development in Calabar Municipality.
