The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu has urged traditional and opinion leaders of Yala Local Government Area in the state to remain ambassadors of peace by championing healthier communal ties, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness and assured them of his administration’s desire to explore the area's huge agriculture potentials as well as reposition it to its once reputed place as a food basket of the state, in particular and Nigeria at large.
The Governor who gave the charge when a delegation from the Yala speaking people, led by the Paramount Ruler of Yala local government area, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, visited him in Calabar, pledged his administration's commitment to return the renowned Okuku market in Yala local government area to a thriving local commodity hub of international standard.
"We will open up roads for ease of transportation of goods from the interior communities to the urban areas and markets. We want the cooperation of our traditional authorities to nib the avoidable records of communal clashes and other disputes in the bud,” the Governor sued.
He disclosed that the state was carrying out proper reforms to ensure that agriculture was well positioned as the mainstay of Cross River State's economy. He further disclosed that security and other structures that would entrench sanity in the area are being put in place.
The Governor also promised to consider the requests made by the delegation with the view of improving the living standard of the Yala people and expressed optimism that in no distant time, when the envisioned Okuku commodity market becomes a reality, the state government would transform areas like Okpoma and Okuku urban towns, because the agricultural potentials of the area have all the trappings to make Yala an urban and commercial nerve centre in the northern part of the state.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, said the Yala speaking people in Yala local government area were in the governor's office to pledge their solidarity and affirm their loyalty to the Governor’s leadership.
Ogamode Ipuole, who was represented by Ogamode Odaji Ipuole, remarked that: "we have come here to assure him that we will continue work with him, stand by him at all times and support him all through his tenure as the governor of Cross River state."
The Royal Father intimated the governor of the enormous challenges confronting the area, which include: access roads linking the various communities, lack of portable drinking water, upgrade of the Okuku local food commodity market to international standard.
He also appealed for the creation of an irrigation dam in Yala to boost food production; exploration of the huge salt deposits in the area and establishment of a salt industry; expansion of the Okuku campus of the University of Cross River State to a full-fledged university, among others.
The monarch, who described the governor as "a beacon of hope, unity and peace," also appealed for proper delineation of boundaries between communities, which according to him, when done, would provide a lasting solution to crises plaguing the area and avert further destruction of lives and property.
Also speaking, a major stakeholder in Yala and towering politician in the state, Chief Higgins Peters, thanked the governor for his warm reception, as well as assurances, to address issues, presented before him.
Beagle News
