Photo: Governor Bassey Otu
By Nate Otaba
As the awards and recognitions continue to roll in for Governor Bassey Otu, it is important to highlight some of the achievements that have defined his administration so far.
Within just three months in office, we witnessed the total disappearance of large heaps of garbage that once littered the streets of Calabar.
In the first six months of his administration, we moved from roads in the Calabar metropolis that were previously riddled with potholes to smoothly resurfaced roads.
Within a year in office, internal road networks across the Calabar metropolis, which had not seen any form of government intervention for over 40 years were rehabilitated.
Within the same period, the once dark streets of Calabar at night became brightly lit again. Street lighting was restored across the metropolis, including Calabar South, stretching from 8 Miles to Odukpani Junction.
Within six months in office, traffic lights returned to major streets in Calabar, restoring order and improving traffic management.
In less than a year, the administration cleared a backlog of nine years of unpaid retirees’ gratuities. Today, civil servants now receive their gratuities within a month after retirement.
Within a year in office, the state also moved from experiencing frequent cases of kidnapping in Calabar and other parts of the state to becoming one of the safest states in the country.
In just over a year, the state witnessed the remodeling and complete facelift of several government facilities, including the State Library Complex, the Governor’s Office, the Local Government Service Commission Office, the Governor’s Lodge, the Deputy Governor’s Lodge, the Speaker’s Lodge, and the Office of the Wife of the Governor.
Within the same period, the aviation sector also saw significant improvement. With the addition of two aircraft and increased airline competition, Calabar moved from having just two flights a week to enjoying daily flights in and out of the city.
In just over a year, Obudu Ranch Resort was rehabilitated and restored, while Marina Resort also underwent rehabilitation.
Within the same timeframe, Cross River State successfully took over ownership of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.
In just over a year, through the governor’s determination and the adoption of new scientifically verified boundary coordinates, Cross River State regained 119 oil wells that were previously attributed to Akwa Ibom State. The state will also secure over 14 years of refunds for revenues from those wells.
In just over a year, Governor Otu empowered 400 youths with ₦2 million each to promote agricultural entrepreneurship.
Additionally, the administration launched the Retiree Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), empowering 500 retired civil servants with grants to start small-scale businesses, with the second batch set to commence soon.
In just over a year, as part of an initiative to provide electricity to rural, off-grid communities. This administration has powered ten thousand (10,000) homes across the state using solar home systems.
When you examine these achievements, you sef go gree say “Otu too do.”
Otaba is Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Bassey Otu
