From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Governor Bassey Otu has stated that Cross Riverians have suffered under the administration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Otu, who stated this in a statement issued by the chief press secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, shortly after the All Progressives Congress, (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held at the Calabar International Convention Centre, said God has bestowed on the new administration the responsibility of taking our dear state forward.
He assured Cross Rivererians that the responsibility of taking the state to greater heights remains the core of his administration.
According to him, “Cross River had suffered under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I thank God for using my predecessor, Senator Ben Ayade, to break the state free from the shackles of the PDP.
“Let me also thank Cross Rivererians, especially the APC faithful, for your efforts and support, which saw us trounce every opposition at the last elections. Today, PDP is history in our state.
“Barely few months on the saddle, our administration has been able to rejig and put things in proper perspectives, assuring that in no distant time, Cross Rivererians would begin to reap the fruits of the ‘Peoples First’ agenda.
“We are on course to building a virile economy that would make political appointments unattractive. Economic prosperity is imminent.”
On the seeming disquiet within the APC ranks in the state, the governor promised to set up caucuses across all local government areas to ensure due consultation and possible resolutions to issues identified.
He urged the party faithful to always dialogue for peaceful resolution of all differences, informing them that more appointments would be made to avail party stalwarts the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
He, however, warned against self-centeredness, pointing out that “the Cross River Project takes precedence over any individual’s interest.
Speaking on government as a continuum, the governor expressed his administration’s commitment to completing the Obudu Cargo Airport before the end of the year, enlarging the Cally Air fleet, as well as turning the Bebi Airstrip in Obanliku into an Aviation School.
Dignatries at the meeting include the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, state chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Eba, former Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, former Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senators Eteng Williams and Asuquo Ekpenyong and member representing Abi/Yakurr in the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Alex Egbona.
Others are Etinyin (Dr.) Asuquo Ekpenyong Snr, Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, Ntufam Peter Ojie, Etinyin (Amb.) Nya Asuquo, High Chief Peters Higgins, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, former Acting National Chairman of the APC, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, and High Chief Eugene Akeh.