Otu Set To Roll Out Thousands Of Appointments In Coming Days
By Victor UDU
Barring last-minute changes, the long-awaited announcement of fresh political appointments into the Cross River state government would be made by Governor Bassey Otu in just a few days.
THE BEAGLE NEWS can authoritatively reveal that Governor Bassey Otu and his team have concluded arrangements to roll out about 2,000 appointments into boards, agencies, and commissions as well as appoint some aides including special advisers and assistants.
The source further revealed Otu had confided in some associates that he was not going to run a bloated government as was the case in former Governor Ben Ayade's administration which had over 6,000 appointees.
The source hinted that due to limited resources and the need to be more focused and re-direct human capital, Otu may not have more than 2,000 critical appointments this time.
THE BEAGLE NEWS learned that the list of the fresh appointments was ready after Governor Otu concluded consultations with relevant stakeholders who have also given a nod to the composition.
Information reaching us revealed that any moment from now, the governor would announce about 1000 fresh appointments to rejig the state machinery of government with a view of pacifying party faithful who have become jittery and apprehensive over the slow pace of rolling out appointments.
According to THE BEAGLE NEWS findings these appointments are expected to cut across the state with each senatorial district expected to garner at least 300 slots in the first batch given the lineup of other appointments expected in the coming months.
An inside source told THE BEAGLE NEWS that the appointments would be based on merit, academic bias, and proven capacity so as to assist in driving the programs and aspirations of the Otu-led government to a logical conclusion.
Competent sources hinted that the appointments would comprise mostly technocrats, a reflection of Bassey Otu's intention to give proper policy thrust and direction to his economic blueprint.
Last year the state governor secured the approval of the legislature for the appointment of 40 Special Advisers but only a few have been announced into that position with others to be appointed in the next few days.
The delay in making this appointment has caused rumblings and agitations within the APC fold as some stakeholders are piqued that they are still outside the government even after the Governor had promised to hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration.
An APC stakeholder, who does not want to be named, said: "The earlier appointments did not reflect the governor's desire to reward the individual and collective sacrifice that was made to ensure the victory of the party.
"Hopefully, the upcoming appointments may address that question on the lips of many APC politicians."
