Barely 24 hours after providing electric vehicles to organised labour, Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has extended the initiative to the judiciary, providing 15 electric cars for magistrates across the State to enhance their mobility, security and efficiency.
Representing the Governor at the presentation ceremony, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Hon. Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the vehicles, noting that the gesture demonstrates the administration's commitment to easing transportation challenges faced by public servants and creating better working conditions to enable them focus fully on their responsibilities.
Cobham assured the magistrates of the comfort, reliability and efficient performance of the vehicles, congratulating the first set of beneficiaries and describing the rollout as another milestone in the administration's efforts to boost morale in the dispensation of justice and improve the welfare of public servants.
He assured that more eligible public servants would be captured in subsequent phases as the electric vehicle initiative expands across the State.
Fielding questions from journalists, some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Governor, describing the intervention as timely and significant in addressing transportation challenges and improving the discharge of their judicial responsibilities.
Magistrate Felicia Acha Uchinke said the vehicle would enhance her judicial duties, particularly in handling criminal cases, where reliance on public transportation could pose security and safety concerns.
She explained that magistrates could unknowingly find themselves travelling in the same vehicle with individuals involved in cases they had previously handled or sentenced, creating potentially uncomfortable and unsafe situations.
Uchinke said the provision of the vehicles would therefore protect the dignity and security of magistrates while enabling them to move to official engagements with greater confidence.
On his part, a Chief Magistrate Ekong Imona, thanked Governor Otu, describing the gesture as "the Lord's doing" and evidence that the administration has prioritised the welfare of magistrates.
He commended the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme, the facilitator of the initiative, for her leadership and commitment to the welfare of judicial officers, saying the vehicles would improve mobility and enable magistrates to perform their functions more efficiently.
By Daniel Nsa and Eme Edet
