INTRODUCTION:
The 14th Meeting of the Cross River State Executive Council which took place on Friday,5th December,2025 was presided over by His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State and attended by the Deputy Governor,His Excellency,Rt Hon. Peter Odey, Honourable Commissioners and other key State Officials in attendance.
In his Welcome address ,Governor Bassey Edet Otu appreciated EXCO members for their hard work and dedication, which he noted were principally responsible for the huge collective achievements recorded under the People First leadership so far across the State,assuring that better days are ahead.
The Governor also tasked them to be more closer and connected to their home people, while at the same time listen carefully to their needs with a view to drawing Government's attention to them at all times.
Leading deliberations on the Memo seeking Council's approval to collaborate with a Private Investor to reactivate the Calabar Chicken Factory (Calachika) Governor Otu praised his predecessor -Professor Ben Ayade for initiating several laudable business enterprises, including the Garment Factory,the Chicken Factory,the CalaNodules,the Obudu Cargoes Airport,amongst others,pointing out that his administration is taking steps towards realising the lofty expectations behind these initiatives for the over all good of the People.
He further directed all EXCO members, including other Political appointees under his administration to attend all activities of the on-going 2025 Calabar Festival, especially as the State marks the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Showpiece.
After a thorough consideration of some Memos brought before it by members,the State Executive Council in session went on to ratify and approved the following :
1.The release of funds for the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN)Projects 1 /2 in Cross River State by Ministry of International Donor Co-ordination.
2.The release of over three Billion Naira as Cross River State Counterpart Marching Grants for the Universal Basic Education Projects in the State covering rehabilitation of schools, training of Teachers and printing of teaching and learning materials to improve the standards of education in the State.
3.The Release of the sum of One Billion Naira only as Matching Funds for the implementation of MSME Development Programmes in the State.
4.The Release of funds for additional Works and Furnishings at the on -going Comprehensive renovation of Buildings of the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation.
5.Emergency rehabilitation works on the Goodluck Jonathan (Airport)Bypass road as well as that of the roads in the Carnival Calabar Routes,IBB Way,Tinapa and Odukpani roads.
Other approvals granted at the 14th State Executive Council Meeting were:
7.The full implementation of the WASH Policy initiatives in the Water Sector of the State to improve hygiene among the people.
- The release of over ₦198 Million for the construction of the Administrative Complex of the Institute for Agricultural Research,Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria Outstation at Nyanya, Bekwarra Local Government Area of the State.
9.The direct procurement of One hundred and fifty Units of Daihatsu Hijet Mini Buses for the empowerment of Vulnerable and less privileged Groups across the 18 LGAs of the State.
10.Approval of CounterPart Funds for the Phase II Roll-Out of 10,000 Solar Homes Systems in rural Communities across the State.
- The direct Purchase of Four Numbers Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (LTAV) for the State.
12 .EXCO approved that the State Government collaborates with the Core Investor for the comprehensive re-activation of the Calachika Chicken Factory and make it ready as one of the projects for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu later this month.
Finally,His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State and Chairman of EXCO in Session, wished all Cross Riverians, residents and Visitors to our dear State a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year -2026.
Erasmus Ekpang,PhD, anipr, ftifuh
Commissioner for Informationn
