INDEPENDENCE DAY: Governor Otu Vows to Improve Living Standards Through People-Focused Policies
By Missang AKPET
The governor of Cross River State Senator Bassey Otu has reinstated his commitment to improve the living standards of Cross Riverians through human oriented policies and projects.
The governor who stated this at the parade held at the UJ Esuene stadium calabar to mark Nigeria's 64th independence anniversary stated that his administration is poised to roll out more human and developmental projects to cushion the hardships in the country.
While acknowledging the fact that some government policies are responsible for the hardship experienced, he advised Nigerians to be assured that the policies will bring about enormous gains that will be beneficial to all in the long run.
"The eyes of all Nigerians should be on the goal; and not the momentary pains that afflict the body and the stress that assail our mental capacity occasioned by the prevailing economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government.
"Admittedly, the inconveniences are enormous but the expected gains of these reforms far outweigh the pains. What is required at this critical time of our nationhood is perseverance; for there is light at the end of the tunnel".
He maintained that since the creation of Cross River State in 1967, the State has undergone fundamental Economic and Political transformation that has elevated the state to enviable heights.
Governor Otu however hinted that since assuming office, he had refused to blame the previous administration in the state but rather chart a new course for the State’s greatness in every sphere of governance,
"For the past one year that I have superintended the affairs of the State as its Chief Executive, I have been intentional not to engage in any blame game of the previous administrations rather, chart a new course for the State’s greatness in every sphere of governance.
"We need to imbibe the arts of statecraft by unleashing the inner will to serve the people and build a generation of selfless politicians for the continuous existence of a glorious Cross River State based on the unwritten solemn agreement between the government and the governed.
"As an administration operating on the “People First” mantra, I am willing and prepared to implement any measures aimed at ameliorating the suffering of our people".
He pointed out that the current economic hardship knows now tribe, religion, political class nor status but every Nigerian is feeling a bite of it. Pointing out policies he has put in place to cushion the effect of the hardship, the governor said his commitment is to ensure the effect of the economic situation is reduced to the bearest minimum.
"Arising from the empathy I have for the qualified but unemployed teeming youths in the State as a result of the embargo placed on employment by the previous administrations, my administration has lifted the 25-year embargo on employment by approving the employment of 2,500 qualified indigenes into the State Civil Service.
"Also in a bid to reduce the suffering of our senior citizens who tirelessly served our State and retired, I have released a bulk sum of N10B (Ten Billion Naira) only; for the payment of gratuity at the first instance.
"In order to catalyze the exponential growth of the small and medium scale enterprises, my administration has so far committed N1billion (One Billion Naira) as counterpart funding for the SME’s in the State.
"In summary, as a State government being conscious of the need to fast track integrated development, we have in the short term, revived the necessary infrastructure, created and provided relevant fiscal interventions in critical sectors.
"As far as my administration is concerned, the foregoing is just the tip of the iceberg; as we are poised to roll out more incentives to cushion the hash economic reality everyone is facing" Governor Otu said.
The October 1 independent day celebration was marked with march past as well as cutting of Anniversary cake.
