Otu Reaffirms Commitment to Greater Development as Cross River Marks Three Years of ‘People-First’ Governance
By Gabriel Kekong
The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering greater dividends of democracy to the people, promising sustained investments in critical sectors including aviation, education, agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure.
Otu made this known on Friday, May 29, at a special town hall meeting held in Abuja to commemorate his third anniversary in office, He said his administration remained focused on consolidating the gains recorded over the past three years and expanding opportunities for economic growth and social development.
The event, themed “Inside Gov. Otu’s Three Years of Bold Rebirth of Cross River,” brought together Cross River indigenes, stakeholders and investors to review the administration’s achievements, assess progress and outline future plans for the state.
The governor disclosed that the state government was working to expand its aviation sector through the acquisition of additional aircraft and the training of indigenous aviation professionals.
“We will be looking to buy more aircraft, and it will be a regional aircraft. The vision is quite huge; we are looking at plying the whole of West Africa,” Otu said.
According to him, the state is currently sponsoring the training of more than 16 pilots, while plans are underway to train additional personnel in aircraft maintenance, aeronautical engineering and related fields.
He noted that the state’s intervention in the aviation sector had reduced dependence on commercial airlines and improved air connectivity for Cross River residents.
In the education sector, Otu reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving access and quality. He highlighted the payment of WAEC fees for indigenous students in 2024, 2025 and 2026, as well as the establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship and the College of Agriculture and Forestry.
He also cited the regularisation of salaries for staff of the Teachers Continuous Training Institute of West Africa as part of efforts to strengthen the education system.
Addressing healthcare challenges, Otu said his administration had introduced measures to tackle manpower shortages and improve service delivery in public health facilities across the state.
He revealed that improved remuneration packages had been approved to attract and retain medical professionals, particularly doctors, in state-owned hospitals.
On agriculture, the governor disclosed that the government had procured 108 mini tractors, with more than 50 already distributed to farmers to boost agricultural productivity.
Additionally, 77 motorcycles have been provided to Agricultural and Extension Officers to enhance mobility, strengthen monitoring activities and improve support services to farmers.
Otu further explained that the state had adopted a food systems transformation pathway driven by policy support and strategic interventions aimed at stimulating economic growth, creating jobs and accelerating industrialisation.
The governor also highlighted ongoing rehabilitation and completion of critical road and bridge projects, alongside the expansion of solar-powered electricity to underserved communities across the state.
The occasion climaxed with the unveiling of the administration’s third anniversary scorecard and the ceremonial cutting of the anniversary cake.
