Gov. Otu seeks World Bank intervention to address environmental issues in C'River

By Our Reporter

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has sought the intervention of the World Bank to address environmental issues in the state.

The governor made the call on Monday, when he undertook on-the-site inspection of some erosion sites in the state capital, Calabar.

Otu, who was accompanied on the inspection by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, lamented the danger posed to residents of the affected areas, and pledged short to medium intervention to safeguard lives and property.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, quoted Senator Otu as saying that the inspection had become necessary for him to familiarise himself with some of the adverse erosion sites in the state capital such as in Lemna/Federal Ministry of Agriculture and a failed drainage along Yellow Duke Road.

“We cannot allow something like this in the middle of the town. Looking at this it must have taken a lot of lives, and property. The World Bank has intervention programs which I intend to follow up with, and this has informed my being here.

“We will take a look at the drawings, see what the existing plans are and work quickly to safeguard those who live around this area,” the governor said.

Giving assurance to the residents of the areas visited, he said, “We are here to work for them. Though resources are limited, we are going to work in the short and medium term to assure them that something is being done as against the long term.”