From **Aniekan Aniekan, **Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has pledged accelerated intervention in critical infrastructure, education, electricity and economic development in the Northern Senatorial District, assuring residents that projects capable of opening up communities and stimulating economic activities would receive priority attention.
Otu gave the assurance on Monday during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement with political leaders and other stakeholders from Cross River North at the Conference Hall of the Ogoja Local Government Council headquarters.
The stakeholders had drawn the governor’s attention to roads and bridges requiring urgent intervention, the proposed university, the moribund Okuku International Market, electricity supply, political inclusion and other development challenges confronting the district.
Responding, Otu said the requests would be carefully evaluated, with emphasis on projects considered urgent and capable of making the greatest impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents.
“We have listened to you, and we understand the concerns that have been expressed here,” he said. “Government must listen to the people, understand their challenges and work towards solutions that will improve their lives.”
The governor identified bridges linking communities as particularly critical, warning that their collapse or absence could isolate communities and cripple economic activities.
“When communities are cut off, farmers cannot move their produce, traders cannot access markets and people may struggle to reach schools and healthcare facilities,” he said.
“A road is more than asphalt and a bridge is more than concrete. They connect people to opportunities and communities to economic activities.”
Otu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing the proposed university in the Northern Senatorial District, saying the project remained part of his campaign promises to the people.
“The university is still very much alive. It is part of the commitment we made to our people, and we remain committed to it,” he said.
He, however, explained that establishing a university, particularly one expected to offer specialised programmes such as medicine, required compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.
“Setting up a university is not something that can be done overnight. There are processes and standards that must be met, but significant progress has been made,” Otu said.
According to him, the institution is expected to strengthen human capital development and increase the number of indigenous professionals, particularly doctors and other healthcare personnel.
“We need more doctors and other skilled professionals. We want an institution that will make a genuine contribution to education, healthcare and the development of our state,” he added.
On the Okuku International Market, Otu described the facility as a strategic economic asset that must be revived to restore commercial activities in the district.
“The Okuku International Market is too important to be allowed to remain dormant. We are looking at what needs to be done to restore its commercial vibrancy,” he said.
He explained that ongoing and proposed road projects around the market were intended to reconnect farmers, traders and buyers, adding that efforts were also being made to reopen the Ijegwu axis.
“You cannot have a thriving market without access roads. Farmers must be able to bring their produce, traders must be able to move their goods and buyers must be able to access the market,” he said.
The governor also assured stakeholders that his administration was engaging relevant authorities over the electricity challenges facing the area, noting that dependable power supply was indispensable to industrialisation and business growth. “We cannot talk about serious industrialisation without talking about power. Our businesses, industries and young entrepreneurs need reliable electricity to grow.”
Otu disclosed that his position as Chairman of the Power Committee of the National Economic Council had given him a role in national efforts to improve electricity supply.
Turning to the economy, the governor appealed for patience with the reforms of the Federal Government, acknowledging the hardship facing Nigerians but arguing that addressing deep structural problems in the economy would inevitably involve difficult decisions.
“I know that the times are difficult and that our people are feeling the pressure. But rebuilding an economy with deep structural challenges requires difficult decisions,” he said.
Otu expressed optimism that Cross River would benefit significantly from ongoing efforts to restore its oil-producing status, saying this could strengthen the state’s finances and create fresh economic opportunities.
“Cross River has enormous potential, and we are determined to unlock that potential. The restoration of our oil-producing status is important because of what it can mean for the future of our state,” he said.
The governor also called for reconciliation among political stakeholders in the district, urging them to put aside differences and work collectively for the development of the state.
“We must learn to forgive one another and put the past behind us. Cross River is bigger than any personal interest, and we must work together for the future of our people,” he said.
On political inclusion, Otu promised a more inclusive approach to party and campaign structures, saying grassroots acceptance, performance and commitment would be given greater consideration.
“We want a system that recognises commitment and performance. Those who have genuinely worked and demonstrated the capacity to deliver should have a sense of belonging,” he said.
He described the stakeholders’ engagement as part of his administration’s commitment to participatory governance and direct interaction with the people.
“The people must have a voice, and government must have the humility to listen. We may not solve every problem in one day, but we must understand the problems and continue to work towards solutions,” the governor said.
Otu assured Cross River North that its development remained an integral part of his administration’s agenda.
“Your concerns are our concerns, and your development is part of the future we are building for Cross River,” he said.
He urged the people to support the administration’s development initiatives and embrace unity, adding: “Together, we will overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for our people and our state.”
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