By Jimmy Jackson
The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has appealed for calm and reconsideration of the planned protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
Governor Otu, in a state broadcast on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, pleaded with the youth and people of the state, emphasizing efforts to mitigate economic challenges and improve the lives of the people.
The Governor while acknowledging the challenging moment in the state and nation, arising from volatile economic dynamics in the last couple of years till date also outlined his administration’s commitment to addressing these challenges head-on notwithstanding the limitations.
“Unfortunately, this administration came in when the recession was rising sporadically to its peak demanding very extreme measures to counter its fangs.
“As expected, the change of baton and massive expectations from the electorate raised the stakes even higher. Media induced anxiety spiked. Political intolerance escalated. Increase in Consumer price index became alarming and liquidity shortages appear to be the killer. As it were, we cannot pretend to be unaware of our perilous national trajectory flowing from the surging insurgency through the global recession that took its national toll before the COVID ravage and the Russian/ Ukraine,Israeli/Palestinian wars among others. The above upheavals sent inflation galloping around the world, Nigeria and our state inclusive.
“Fortunately, my leadership has risen to the challenge with expressed acts of responsibility, kindness and compassion with diverse comforting social supports and interventions, some of which have immediate succour while others promise medium and long term results which require patience and understanding to tap into the harvests.
“In specific terms, my administration has extensively renewed road, health and educational infrastructures in order to make life easier and boost the wellbeing of every Cross Riverian. I have relieved our parents of the burden of WAEC fees so that no child’s education is stalled.
“Recently I have committeed 10 billion naira to drive the thorny issue of pensions and gratuities which seriously embarrassed our aged parents since 2013. Very soon our fathers and mothers who served the state will smile and that ugly trend of owing them will be estopped.I will also want to add the massive social interventions rendered by my Wife who has through her pet programme: Humanity beyond Borders changed the dynamics in health, womanhood and childcare. Our explorations in oil and gas, local contents, climate change, ICT, agriculture and the blue economy are massive and when the fruits begin presumably by indiscreet non-indigenes who defied all logical questions that still bug the mind.
“For the benefit of the doubt, any person or group who will wvant to test the resolve of the government and people of Cross River State should be prepared to be an ugly guest at the Afokang correctional centre without trial. Enough should be enough of dragging our peace loving nature into trials.Yes we are peace loving, decent and hospitable but henceforth naysayers to our true nature will have a nasty experience in return.” The address added
