Governor Otu Directs Digitalization of Cross River Asset Registry
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has ordered the digitalization of the state’s asset registry to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency. This initiative is aimed at streamlining the audit, recovery, and management of public assets, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to responsible governance and data-driven decision-making.
The directive follows the Governor’s approval of a comprehensive audit and recovery process, marking a significant step toward curbing asset mismanagement, reclaiming state-owned properties, and ensuring efficient resource allocation across the 18 local government areas of the state and beyond.
As part of the digital transformation, key government officials—including Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor; Economic Adviser, Prof. Peter Oti; Accountant General, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong; and State Auditor General, Mrs. Anne Essessien—held a strategic meeting in Calabar with representatives from Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited, the firm handling the digitization project.
The session provided a platform for the government officials to offer expert insights on key technical aspects, data standardization, and best practices to ensure the new system is efficient, secure, and tailored to meet the specific needs of Cross River State.
Speaking on the initiative, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, highlighted that the digitization of the asset registry is a pivotal step toward improving asset accountability and recovering government properties acquired unlawfully.
“This initiative, driven by Governor Otu’s forward-thinking leadership, is designed to ensure all state assets are accurately documented, efficiently managed, and adequately protected. By transitioning to a digital platform, we are not just modernizing the system but also reinforcing the government’s firm stance against the misappropriation of public resources,” Agbor said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to uphold accountability in public asset management and secure the recovery of unlawfully acquired state properties.
Godswill Adie, Chief Technology Officer of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited, commended the state government’s proactive approach in leveraging technology for better governance.
“The insights provided by government stakeholders have been invaluable in shaping a robust system that will not only register and track state assets but also introduce additional features to improve operational efficiency. Once fully implemented, this digital asset registry will serve as a centralized, real-time database that simplifies the monitoring, maintenance, and management of government assets,” Adie assured.
The asset digitalization initiative is expected to provide a real-time, accessible, and transparent system, ensuring that government-owned properties are effectively accounted for, maintained, and optimally utilized.
By embracing cutting-edge digital solutions, Governor Otu’s administration is setting a new standard for asset governance, fiscal responsibility, and sustainable development in Cross River State, reinforcing the state’s position as a leader in modernized public resource management.
