Voices From The Streets Expectations From The Incoming Government
The incoming government should provide jobs for graduates, because many graduates after graduating are stranded without jobs. More avenues should be opened for employment to avoid juvenile delinquency. We also expect the government to reduce taxes especially on small scale businesses and as well provide grants for them to expand their businesses. We are also expecting the repairs of bad roads.
Emem Fidelis Ekpo
Graduate/Self employed (Hair Stylist)
We are hoping and expecting that the Governor will return the State to its former glory by repairing bad roads, keeping the streets clean and constructing new roads especially in newly developed areas, like the Slaughter road where I am living, and Basin Satellite Towns, all in Ikot Eneobong, 8 Miles. He should also rehabilitate homeless children on the streets, provide for them and also enroll them in vocational schools. Also, he should look into promotions, implementation of pending promotions and prompt payment of salaries for civil servants in the State. Reduction of tax rates that would attract investors should be looked into as many investors have relocated from Calabar due to high taxation.
Charity Ayendi
Civil Servant
I want the new government to provide more free boreholes, more books for Secondary School pupils in government schools. There should also be scholarship funds for deserving indigenous students of the State because, most brilliant students cannot afford school fees. Measures should be put in place to eradicate cultism, kidnapping and raping of girls. These eradication would make the State safe for its citizens.
Uwem Edem Okon
Secondary School Pupil
Our expectations from the new government are quite high. First, promotion of civil servants should be enforced without them having to pay or wait for a long time for it to be effected. The State capital should be kept clean like it had always been. Unemployment should be looked into. Schools and classroom blocks should be established and renovated to enhance proper and conducive learning environment for pupils.
Kanu Onugen
Education Officer
With the incoming government, we would like to see a lot of positive changes. These include the welfare of State workers by promoting them when due and the implementation of financial benefits for each level. We farmers also need some assistance from the government for mechanized farming. Example, the provision of tractors etc. This will make labour less tasking and production less expensive. We also expect that loans and grants would be given to us. Also, the governor elect should extend his good governance policy to the rural communities by providing basic amenities like power supply, clean water, good roads, etc.
Eyibio Effiong
Farmer
My expectations are quite enormous. However, I strongly believe this transition would bring about feasible transformation into new experiences. These transformations would not take place overnight. Specifically, I hope for an intensive super vision into infrastructural decay, abandoned projects, paying of pensions and gratuities to retirees, implementation of promotions to civil servants and complete recovery of stolen assets of the State. I also hope for an enabling environment that would foster innovations, creativity and growth in the teaching industry.
Mr. Charles Effiong
Retired Civil Servant
My expectations from the incoming Governor of Cross River State are; firstly, there should be a restructuring of the civil service. Secondly, employments should be made to fill up the vacancies at different MDAs. Thirdly, investors who are ready and willing to explore our rich natural heritage which would in turn bring about developments in the State should be sought after. Taxation should be within reasonable range to encourage investors and business owners. Also, the healthcare system which workers had been already taxed from their salaries without access to the service, should become top priority for the incoming administration.
Mrs. Patience Bassey
Civil Servant
The first thing I expect the new government to do is to repair major roads in the State capital. Deep potholes have taken over these roads and have become worse due to neglect. The government should also try and reduce school fees in public schools and as well provide scholarships for bright indigent pupils. The school fees as well as WAEC fees should be made a uniform amount in all Secondary Schools. Street solar lights should be made available in all parts of the metropolis to prevent accidents and mishaps especially at night. Lastly, to reduce overcrowding in schools, more classroom blocks should be built and old ones renovated.
Divine Effiong
Student
My expectations as a student from the incoming administration are maintenance and repair of link roads, with installation of street lights to aid easy movement to and from school and other places. Also, transport vehicles on roads should be registered, with names of owners properly documented to curb the cases of kidnap and ritual killings. It would as well ensure their safety.
Antigha Lemuel (Student, UNICAL)
Congratulations to Prince Otu for his success and more wins. Prince Otu is called sweet prince for a reason and I expect to feel his sweet influence in the State. The health sector is lacking greatly in facilities thereby leading to deaths of many. It is said that ‘Health is Wealth’, so I highly look forward to new developments in the health sector. As a medical student, we need to practice what we are being taught, but without adequate facilities, we cannot carry out practicals. Our handsome Prince should please look into this. Our beautiful State is lacking in social amenities such as good roads. We need motorable roads. The government should look into this. The agricultural sector is greatly underestimated in today’s society. This sector needs development so that the prices of food items could be reduced, which would in turn reduce poverty rate in our State. I believe my expectations would be met by the new government.
Davina Irek
Medical Student (UNICAL)
Libraries and books should be made available. We need good schools with affordable school fees. Also, more qualified teachers should be employed, trained and equipped to teach various subjects in their specific fields of profession. The government should try and pay salaries in time to encourage civil servants. This would also help them to solve their personal problems in time.
Samuel Nnaji
