State-Wide Address And Media Parley By His Excellency The Governor – Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu To Commemorate One Year In Office As The Executive Governor Of Cross River State, 29th May, 2024

PROTOCOL:

It would be recalled that on 8th September, 2023, I marked the 100 days in office as the Executive Governor of Cross River State with a Press Conference. It was a forum to freely interact with a cross section of the members of the fourth estate of the realm. Recall that, I told fellow Cross Riverians that the media parley will be a routine administrative exercise aimed at keeping the citizenry abreast of the programmes, successes and challenges my administration may encounter in the course of governance. The media interface is also tailored at curtailing rumours swirling around the public space; arising from either misinformation or outright mischief from the fifth columnists. It is therefore the right of the citizens to access accurate information concerning the mandate they consciously gave to us to work on their behalf; and the responsibility of government to provide such information without let or hindrance.

2. The foregoing propositions are further anchored on my conviction that governance is a confluence of perspectives: That is, while the State Government is vigorously pursuing its development agenda, the citizens are at liberty to follow-through, interrogate the actions of government when and where necessary and make suggestions as appropriate. The end-to-end of my administration is therefore open for constructive criticisms. Such ideas should be submitted at the office of the Commissioner for information via https://moi.cr.gov.ng/contact-us and its agencies for collation and analysis.

In my last press briefing of 8th September, 2023, I had reeled out a catalogue of completed, on-going and proposed projects and programmes in the different sectors. And one year down the line, some of these projects and programmes have been completed; some which gestation period takes time are still on-going with varying percentages of completion. New projects and programmes have also been initiated and rolled out accordingly. The following is the sector-based scorecard of my administration for the first year in office. The cost benefit of these projects and programmes is the enhanced standard of living of the citizenry; which is tied to the “People First” mantra.

3. FINANCE SECTOR: This sector is unarguably the engine room of the State’s machinery of government as it lays the sound financial framework and aggregate funds for relevant projects and programmes.

Under this administration, the state is operating a robust, prudent and transparent finance policy which has enhanced our rating from “BB” the State had been for years, to “BBB”. This rating means that Cross River State has good credit quality and also at investment grade. On accountability index, the State has moved from the 28th position it occupied for the past two decades to among the first ten States in Nigeria. Arising from this unprecedented feat, the State for the first time of its existence won $4,000,000 because of sound Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI). The outstanding Accounting Reporting System (ARS) and Internal Control and Performance Measurement Mechanisms (ICPMM) have also helped the State to obtain good grade scores from Deloitte & Touche (One of the four biggest accounting firms in the world). Besides, the State also won the 2nd position in the NG-CARES nationwide, while it took the 1st position in the South-South geographical zone.

 With much gratitude to the unremitting effort of all the citizens/residents of this State by being tax compliant, I am glad to inform all Cross Riverians that from June 2023 – May 2024, the State internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has grown by 60.6% (N36.3 Billion).

 This sector has also introduced the full automation for improved monitoring of major revenue generating MDAs and the deployment of necessary measures to track and collect revenue from the micro and small business in our rural areas across the State. With these high tech measures, revenue collection is tracked in real-time and leakages blocked where necessary. Our target deliverable is to reduce the tax burden on the citizens and tap from the hitherto dormant revenue sources.

These major achievements have invariably augmented the lean federal allocation and made the funding of projects/programmes relatively easy. Over 1,986 SMEs have received between N100,000 to N400,000 on grants to grow their business.

· In my administration’s prudent resource allocation, the State Government has honoured its debt and contractual obligations to the tune of over N55 Billion Naira from the inception of this administration to date.

· Government has also reactivated the State Reserve Fund account which at present has a balance of 3.7 Billion Naira saved for the rainy days.

· We have also initiated the process of valuing critical asset of the State which will invariably expand our investment portfolio.

· On the much talked about foreign debt burden of the State, I wish to clarify that the error that was caused by the Budget Office of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been corrected and the adjusted figure shall be uploaded on their website soonest.

  4. AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: In the 60s – 90s agriculture has been the mainstay of Cross River State economy. Be it plantation agriculture in cocoa, rubber, oil palm, timber or abundant food crops and their value chains in Cassava, yam, rice, maize, millet etc. Conversely, while the factors which granted the State this comparative advantage such as sufficient rainfall, fertile land etc have not changed, our inverted priority towards extractive industry is the main causative factor in our recent backwardness in agriculture and its value chain. We are now poised to change the agric landscape for the better.

 Taking cognizance of the enormous employment potentials in the agriculture value chain, the multiplier effect in reducing youth restiveness, its contribution to food security and combating hunger, my administration has taken some bold steps to put the sector back on the pedestal.

 In the first year of my administration, we have made the following in-roads.

· Under the FADAMA NG-CARES scheme, some light farm equipment have been distributed to farmers across the State, while plans have been concluded to procure heavy equipment like harvesters, threshers, balers and irrigation tools for further distribution to farmers.

· Contract has been awarded for the procurement of 108 units of 3-wheel mini tractors for use by the small holder farmers across the State, with 1,080 and 1200 direct and indirect job creation deliverable respectively.

These small holder farmers have been sustaining our food security endeavour before our planned transition to mass production through mechanized agriculture; hence their continuous encouragement.

· The re-mapping and re-classification of State-owned land in the Southern  Senatorial District for Commercial Agriculture Utilization have been concluded. The ground breaking ceremony of the 1st phase of 12,000 hectares State-wide Agricultural Land clearing concluded at Efe Edem Okurikang- Odukpani LGA.

· On Sunday 29th April 2024, my administration flagged off an audacious rice revolution initiative by inaugurating a 50,000 hectares Rice farm at Ndok, Ogoja LGA. The project is financed by a credit guarantee scheme whereby the State Government will plough in N150m monthly with direct engagement of farmers groups. At the minimum, the expected annual yield for the 50,000 hectares is about 300,000 tons of rice at 6 tons per hectare. This is food crops revolution and the same initiative will be extended to cash crops like cocoa and oil palm.

· The State Government has accordingly inaugurated a Committee for the Value Chain Policy and Strategy Development on cocoa, oil palm and coffee.

· My administration has also distributed solar-powered mini irrigation pumps, mini rice milling machines, grinding machines, livestock feed etc to farmers across the State to enhance the value addition of their farm products.

· In the next few months, we shall unleash other support packages direct to farmers in order to speed up food production.

· This is just a part of what Cross River State Green Economy is all about.

 The intentional pursuit of agriculture as the mainstay of Cross River State economy arises from its sustainability. Besides, the comparative advantage the State has over other States of the Nation in terms of arable land and climate makes agriculture the best foot forward in combating hunger and ensuring food security.

  5. INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR: The basic indices of development in any given society must include motorable roads, transportation, electricity supply, water & sanitation, health facilities etc.

Accordingly, when I assumed office as the governor of this State, the sordid condition of the state capital kept me on my toes to ensure a turn around. The various towns in the central and Northern Senatorial Districts were not spared either.

· My administration therefore swung into action by declaring total war on potholes in the state capital and beyond. Almost all in the intra-city roads that were hitherto inaccessible are now motorable with desilted drains, street lights, traffic lights, bus stops have all been restored.

· The State government also approved the procurement of 10 nos transformers to replace the burnt ones at the electricity sub-stations. The rehabilitation of Odukpani, Akamkpa electricity projects are ongoing by direct labour.

· The state government has further approved the completion of the Headquarters building project of the Local Government Service Commission.

· In Cross River State, we are determined to pull adequate resources to ensure that we have food security and energy security. Already the state is bidding to buy off the Ikot Nyong Electricity Power Plant, as it is adjudged to be one of the most powerful power plants in Nigeria. The Commissioner for Power has been mandated to cement talks with the consultant on the issue. When the transaction is concluded alongside regulatory framework, Cross River State will become a net exporter of power in no distant time. The plant is currently owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

 6. ENVIRONMENT SECTOR: It is no disputing the fact that Cross River State has the most idyllic environment endowed by nature and nurtured by deliberate actions of government. This picturesque landscape from the creeks of Bakassi to the rolling mountains of Obanliku must therefore be protected at all cost.

 To this end, Executive Bills for the mainstreaming of Climate Change Action and the establishment of Cross River State Council on Climate Change are before the State House of Assembly for consolidation. Besides, another bill that seeks to ensure that the state draws some financial benefits among other incentives, from its greenery through the establishment of the Cross River State Green Economy Commission is also receiving due attention on the floor of the State Assembly.

 May I use this opportunity to state that, the lifting of the ban on wood logging is never a license for unsustainable exploitation of our forest. The State Forestry Commission is therefore mandated to go after the so called “Green Millionaires” in their self-referencing method of illegal exploitation of the State forest resources for their selfish enrichment. This unwholesome practice must stop including other avenues of revenue leakages in our green economy.

 A few hours ago, I had the honour to flag off the UNESCO OBAN BIOSPHERE RESERVE Project at the Cross River State National Park Office, Akamkpa. This is a global recognition of our State’s environment consciousness posture.

 On the State ecotourism flagship - the Obudu Ranch Resort, approval has been given to relevant investors to revamp the Dairy Farm, while 3D – Digital Survey of the Ranch Resort has been completed. The near-moribund Marina Resort has also been resuscitated and the burnt section of KADA Cinema restored. The ongoing urban renewal and beautification will be sustained.

 7. HEALTH AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: It is my administration’s conscious realization of the fact that a sound mind in the sound body is a critical asset in wealth creation that, much attention is given to the health sector. For this reason, a whopping 13% of the 2024 total budget size of the State is allocated to this critical sector. The appropriation of these funds has translated to the following achievements within one year of my administration.

· 196 Primary Health Centres (representing one for each political ward) are now functional.

· The renovation/construction/expansion of the Ikom General Hospital is on-going. The facility is to provide referral services in Secondary Health Care. When completed the hospital will have Ikom, Boki, Etung as its catchment areas.

· In order to address the Feco-vaginal and urinary fistula among the women, a modern fistula facility has been provided at the General Hospital, Calabar.

· For emergency resuscitation of patients, two medical oxygen plants have been installed in Ogoja and Calabar General Hospitals.

· The State essential Drug Central Warehouse in Calabar that was vandalized during the ENDSARS protest has been rebuilt and put to use by the present administration.

· The all-important Microbiology Reference Laboratory at the Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital (formally known as IDH) also vandalized, has been renovated, equipped and put back to use.

· In order to attain the Universal Health coverage by increasing access to basic free care services for the elderly, children and pregnant women, the “Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme” is billed for flag off at Nyaghasang Primary Health Care Centre, Calabar Municipality, 30th May, 2024.

· Moreover, to scale the hurdle of inaccessibility to deliver medical consumables and drugs in remote areas by use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), the State Government has engaged a strategic partner – Zipline International Organization to fly these items to areas of need.

· With this initiative, about 450,000 units of medicines have been successfully delivered to 350 locations across the State.

· In a show of concern for the vulnerable and disadvantaged persons amongst us, 250 nos of assistive devices have been purchased and given to the aged and people living with disabilities (PLWD).

 SECURITY: Realizing the sensitive nature of security, permit me to be reticent in giving details of the measures including relevant equipment being deployed to combat crime and criminality in the State. Meanwhile, suffice it to state that the State Government is always proactive in tackling security challenges across the State as evidenced in the prevailing peace and the safety of lives and property. The desired efforts are continually being made to ensure that Cross River State is a safe haven for business and leisure.

 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Skill acquisition in the contemporary work environment is key to subsequent self-employment and human capital development especially amongst the youths.

· Taking cognizance of this reality, the State Government has sponsored 20 youths to undergo internship programme on electrical and electronics at the Skyrun Company at the Export Processing Zone in Calabar.

· 10 youths were also trained under the State NDDC partnership in welding & fabrication skill acquisition. On completion, they were empowered with complete set of welding and fabrication equipment and additional grant of N200,000 each.

· The State government also undertook the renovation of auditorium and other facilities at the NYSC Orientation Camp in addition to the provision of 100pcs of mattresses.

· In the Labour Intensive Public Workforce of the NG-CARES, my administration has been transferring N10,000 each to 20,498 most vulnerable youths as monthly stipends to improve their livelihood.

 8. ECONOMIC SECTOR: The various industries sited across the State were meant to generate employment for the citizens and generate revenue for the State. However, the emerging indices from these establishments are in the negative. For these reasons, the State Government has deemed it necessary to revoke the concession agreement for the Garment Factory, the Rice Seedling Multiplication Company and a host of others.

 A new concessionary agreement has been worked out in order to ensure the smooth and economically viable operation of the Noodles Factory, the Calachika (Poultry) Feed Mill Factory, etc.

· The process of producing sack bags for factory products have been completed.

· By July 15 – August 11, the made-in-Nigeria products from Cross River State Factories shall be showcased at the forthcoming Food Exhibition in France.

· The Cassava Starch Factory that was ravaged by the windstorm has been renovated and production is ongoing.

· Presently, the Industrial Policy of the Ministry of Industry is undergoing review to reflect the “People First” mantra of my administration.

· The reclassification of Cross River State as an oil producing State is nearing completion.

· The Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee of the State Ministry of Mineral Resources has been constituted.

· The State Government has enrolled 8,168 Nano businesses for the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).

· Since the present day economic activities are driven by science and technology and in line with global best practices, the State Ministry of Science and Technology has designed and created different payment portals and applications for revenue collection and tax management system.

· Government has also deployed 200KVA solar-powered system to cover the Accountant General’s Office, College of Health Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministries of Finance, Justice and Health, Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau etc. The facility now awaits commissioning.

· In order to crown the State’s Science and Technology strides at the National level, Cross River State clinched the 1st position in the Sub-National category of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo held in Abuja in April, 2024.

 9. INFORMATION SECTOR: It is one thing for the State Government to embark on laudable programmes across the State, but when citizens of a particular geographical location or in the diaspora are not informed of these giant strides, they will live with the wrong notion that my administration is not delivering on its campaign manifestoes. To this end, information dissemination either through the conventional or the New Media is given priority attention.

 · To achieve the foregoing, the State Government has sustained the publication of Daily News Bulletin, Giant Strides Magazine and the Cross River State Tenders Journal.

· Moreover, in order to guarantee access to government activities, an interactive website https//:moi.cr.gov.ng has been launched where the media gets it daily feed.

· The State Executive Council has also approved funds for the re-equipping of CRBC Broadcast.

· The Cross River State Signage and Advertising Agency has been remodeled for effective information dissemination and increased revenue generation for the State.

· My administration has also provided 10Kwatt RVR Transmitter, Upgraded 11KVA to 33KVA Band A electricity connection.

· For power supply back-up, 1 unit of 100KVA Mikano Generator has been purchased.

· Transmission softwares have equally been upgraded.

· For effective and efficient real-time coverage of events by the TV arm of the CRBC, 4k video camera, tripods, mics, light and other accessories have been purchased alongside 1 unit of Editing Computer.

 CONCLUSION: Going by the objective appraisal of the foregoing development strides made by my administration within one year, it is discernible that we have surpassed the expectation of the majority of Cross Riverians. And I make bold to state that this is just the beginning; as we are poised to explore and exploit the growth potentials abound in the State. All what we need to achieve the desired goal of my government – which is development across board, is collective effort and goodwill. The economic self-reliance and the corresponding prosperity of the people are  within reach in the foreseeable time.

 Thank you.

Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu
Executive Governor, Cross River State.