The Unified Automobile Technicians Support Group has reaffirmed its commitment to the re-election of Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, while seeking the support of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Ani, Esq., ahead of its inauguration slated for August 11, 2026.
The assurance was given during a courtesy visit by the group’s leadership to the Attorney General’s office in Calabar, where discussions focused on the development of the automobile sector and the administration’s economic policies.
Receiving the delegation, Ani commended the group’s leadership for its vision and contributions to the growth of the automotive industry, noting that the People First administration has created a peaceful and business-friendly environment that continues to attract investments and stimulate economic activities across the state.
He attributed the growing confidence of investors and business operators to Governor Otu’s people-centred policies and disclosed that the government is working on the legal framework to regulate the automobile sector, alongside plans to establish a dedicated automobile market and a specialised truck facility.
The Attorney General accepted the group’s invitation to its inauguration and urged members to remain steadfast in supporting Governor Otu’s administration and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Earlier, the group’s Director-General, Chief Ndem Effiong, described the Attorney General as an outstanding public servant whose commitment has complemented the developmental strides of the Otu administration.
Effiong explained that the Unified Automobile Technicians Support Group was established to unite operators across the automotive value chain, encourage their participation in governance and promote the growth of the sector.
He said the prevailing peace and investor-friendly environment under Governor Otu informed the group’s decision to endorse his re-election, adding that the visit formed part of consultations with critical stakeholders ahead of the inauguration.
Highlighting the group’s achievements, Effiong disclosed that it facilitated the establishment of the National Automotive Development and Automobile Processing Centre at Awi in Akamkpa Local Government Area, where technicians will receive modern technical training and capacity development.
He further revealed that the group attracted an automobile assembly plant to Cross River State and secured the hosting rights for the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) National Retreat, scheduled to hold in the state later this month, as well as a Federal Government scrap recycling facility to boost investment in the automotive industry.
Also speaking, Dr. Inyang Bassey, a senior official with HBM Company, commended the group’s leadership for engaging relevant stakeholders and pledged support towards the successful inauguration of the association.
By Mary Kijie
