Cross RIver: Tension As Otu Mulls Cabinet Reshuffle, Orders Commissioners To Summit Scorecards Within 7 Days
Ndifereke BASSEY
Palpable fear and tension have gripped the commissionership circle as Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State Mulls cabinet reshuffle.
An indication to imminent cabinet shake-up emerged following a riot act by Otu ordering all 31 commissioners in the state to submit a comprehensive list of their achievements within seven days.
The governor said the list should cover their respective ministries, departments, agencies and should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary to the state government for appraisal.
Governor Otu's directive is contained in the minutes of the 11th State Executive Council meeting made available to newsmen in Calabar on Thursday December Five, 2024, by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang,
The governor also frowned at the practice where members of the state executive council stay away from government activities, saying this will no longer be tolerated.
According to Ekpang, "His Excellency went on to direct all Commissioners to submit a comprehensive achievement of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for further necessary appraisal within one week.
"The Governor reminded EXCO members of his earlier directive to embrace the culture of attending government events and engagements, regardless of whether the Governor or his Deputy is present.
"He warned that any EXCO member who undermines his leadership resolve in this regard will not be tolerated", he said.
The information commissioner also disclosed that government expressed concern over the continuing economic hardship being experienced across the land.
He added that to ameliorate this, the administration has purchased 10 thousand bags of rice to be distributed across the 196 Wards of the state as support to the citizenry during the Yuletide.
He also announced that the executive council has approved the establishment of a Cassava Seed Multiplication and Cultivation of 500 Hectares for an Ethanol Factory and Food Security in Cross River State.
On his frequent travels, the Governor told his cabinet that his trips were to attract more international investments into the state.
Commissioner for Information, said the governor’s “regular interactions outside the state are part of his administration’s deliberate policy to attract more investments and businesses capable of advancing the State’s economy for the overall benefit of the citizenry."
He added that the initiatives would be evident as the state will soon be economically more viable and stable.
