Gov Otu Has Made Cross River Nigeria's Security Model – Dr Ekpenyong
By Judex OKORO
FORMER chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Cross River State Coordinator of National Association Of Criminologists and Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr.Bobby Ekpenyong, has described Cross River as "a model State for security in Nigeria" that should be adopted by Governors in their respective states.
Ekpenyong, a lecturer at the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, UNICAL and who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated that the absence of security challenges has repositioned and attracted more investment opportunities into the State.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Calabar at the weekend, the University Don particularly commended Governor Bassey Otu for putting in place a security architecture that has restored confidence and made Cross River a safe haven for investors and the residents.
He said the turnaround in security was the most significant achievement of the Otu administration in its three years in office.
"One major and significant area of his achievement, I want to give credit to His Excellency, is the area of security," he said.
He recalled the period before Otu’s emergence when residents lived in fear due to kidnapping and violent crime.
"It got to a point in this state that we were sleeping with our two eyes open. It got to a stage that we started having banditry in Cross River State. Part of Biase became a den that people were attacked, kidnapped, killed on a weekly basis.
"That was a very dangerous road. From 4pm, commuters and transporters avoided passing through the Biase area despite police checkpoints along that stretch of road," he stated.
Ekpenyong commended the governor for what he termed a "magical approach" through heavy investment in security and deployment of expertise.
The interview reads in part: "One major and significant area of Governor Otu's achievement, is the area of security. We know that it got to a point in this state that we were sleeping with our two eyes open. We were virtually not sleeping, let me put it that way, because of the high rate of insecurity, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime.
"It got to a stage that we started having banditry in Cross River State. Part of Biase became a den that people were attacked, kidnapped, killed on a weekly basis, despite the presence of police checkpoints that we had. A part of Biase, it was a dangerous axis, a very dangerous road, that commuters and transporters, from 4pm, people avoid passing through Biase area."
On utilising security vote
"Yes, Governor Otu , has done magic. He has massively invested in security. We know that security is an area that demands huge investment. That is why every government usually sets aside what is called a security vote. So I want to commend him for utilising his security vote and ensuring that that area is seriously addressed.
"Today, I think we had one isolated case of kidnapping, and that was immediately addressed. That issue was immediately arrested. So today, the primary responsibility of government is the provision of security, of lives and property of citizens, and the total well-being of the citizens.
"This he has achieved. Cross River State is a model state when it comes to security in Nigeria. It's not that we will not have experienced what other states in the north, and even the southwest now, and the southeast.
"I think it is his magical approach, ensuring that he utilised all state resources, and also being able to use expertise that is available in security management to make the state a safe haven for the citizens. We are so proud. We are happy."
Investors stage come back
The tackling of security challenge has attracted investors to come back to Cross River State. We had this at a certain time in the past administration that people were leaving the state. People were folding up their businesses.
"Folding up their businesses to leave because of insecurity has ended. Even bread sellers and businessmen and women were kidnapped to that point. So, when an environment is safe, it provides a a safe environment for investors and businesses to thrive.
On return of night life
"Look at the Calabar. The state capital is bubbling. Night life is back. More visitors are trooping into the city . Check out hotels on weekend. You can see that the state of Calabar is becoming green and lush now.
"The place is being beautified. I give kudos to Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), that was virtually dead. We do not know who was running that agency, or if that agency was actually being run. But today, you can see that refuse are constantly being evacuated. The roads are clean. These are little things the government need to do to provide these services for its citizens. "
Administrative style
His administration style is quite encouraging. The governor is not a noisemaker. He is good about doing his things and allows those things to speak for him. He is not a social media person. We knew him when he was in the House of Reps and Senate. He introduced empowerment of people in his federal constituency then.
"He wasn't giving to making noise about it. It was what he was doing, the empowerment he was giving to people that the people were speaking and people got to know that we had such a wonderful representation in the National Assembly.
"I think Senator Jarigbe in the north is also empowering his people. In terms of road infrastructure, we have seen significant road constructions, rural road constructions and then rehabilitation of major roads in Calabar. Calabar is a town without potholes.
"Otu is gradually working on major roads in Calabar unlike what we saw 5-6 years ago. The roads are very smooth. We have free flow of traffic. The traffic lights are working. Potholes on major roads have all been sealed and re-asphalted. Rural roads in communities, in Akankpa, in Ikom, in Yakurr Biase, in the northern senatorial districts, massive rural road constructions are ongoing and some have been completed.
Otu needs commendation not condemnation
"So, you give it to him. I have taken a walk around certain areas so I can speak authoritatively that this man is a magician. Within 3 years, what he has been able to do, we have not experienced this kind of impactful transformation since after Donald Duke. I also want to tell the Governor, the citizens appreciate him. The residents of this state appreciate what he is doing.
"He should not be distracted by a few sponsored critics. We know that this is political time. Some are disgruntled and very ambitious people who just want to be in government and they want to be part of the pie, Actually, we expect such people to criticise, but it should be done constructively. In democracy, the minority have a say and the majority have their way. Otu is with the majority and will certainly have his way in 2027.
Fate of opposition
"I think I was the last opposition standing. Even a blind man can see what the administration of Basey Otu is doing. Cross Riverians are enjoined to stick with the Governor if we want this state to be on a global map. So, we have to give it another four years.
"If there is any way we can amend the constitution, I think it should go more than eight years. We need stability of development and we need that face. We need a governor, a leader who fears God and who has the heart to take the entire state."
On employment opportunities
"He is continuing that massive employment that the government is doing. He has opened up employment. Before, the past governors used to employ through the backdoor, employing their kinsmen into the civil service system without advertisement. But look at that people can be employed through proper advertisement and online application.
"And you are selected through processes, both in the state civil service and the local civil service. Thousands of Cross Riverians have been employed. This is a massive, massive thump up for the governor.
"It covers all the local government. We know in this state how people of particular areas were brought into the service. Even the appointment of the permanent secretaries and directors, always skewed. But we now have a very open and transparent processes with experienced hands in both state civil service commission and local government service commission. So, he deserves commendation.
"And that is why nationally he is being recognised and given different honours. Different media organisations. I think we can stop here for now."
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