In his first 100 days as Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Fred Okem has described the experience as a significant blessing for the people of Yala.
The seasoned administrator, who also has a background in education and health, credited the success of his tenure so far to the support of Cross River State Governor, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Otu, for enabling the government to reach grassroots communities.
Recalled that Dr Okem marked his 100 days in office last Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Speaking about his key achievements, Okem outlined plans for infrastructure development, peace-building, and youth empowerment. With initiatives aimed at improving roads, healthcare, and sports, he remains focused on creating a better future for Yala’s citizens.
Some achievements of 100 days in office
Well, I am Honorable Dr. Fred Okem, Executive Chairman of Yalla Local Government Area, Cross River State. First, my 100 days in the office have been a very big blessing to my good people of Yala. And let me, first of all, thank His Excellency, the Sweet Governor, the Sweetest Governor of Cross River States, Prince Senator Bassey Edet Otu, who has made it very possible and kind enough to bring the presence of government closer to the people. And this has enabled the grassroots to have some social and economic impact in their various local governments, especially my local government, Yala Local Government Area.
Agenda of Peace for Yala
Well, for me, I came in with an agenda for the people of Yala. The agenda is about developing my people, empowering them, opening infrastructure across the north and crannies of the local area. First, I think of peace. Peace is a word that God created. And when God created the world, the only thing God left for the people in the world was peace be with you. And my agenda is strictly going to begin from peace for the people of Yala. Because without peace, there is no development. Without peace, there is no love. Without peace, there is no empowerment. And I have been able, at least as a measure to return to peace and love within one another. Meeting individuals, stakeholders, you know, trying to bring them together so that we can build Yala as a nation.
Local Government Infrastructure
Well, apart from peace anyway, within the 100 days of office, I have equally looked at the local government infrastructure. The offices of the political bloc, the chambers for the legislators, and all that. The ongoing work is a testimony of my willingness to make my people, my appointees, my civil servants, have comfort in their working environment. And I believe that God has given me the strength to do so within the resources that have been made available. And I believe that God has given me the strength to do so within the resources that have been made available and at our disposal.
Grading of Yala Constituency 1 ring road
Thirdly, I look at the ring roads. I have been able to see how my own communities in the rural area, across the 14 wards of Yala. There is no access road for our farmers to bring out their food items to their market to see how they can better themselves. So, I decided with my team to have a design.
I did the groundbreaking ceremony last week in Okpoma, from the Ochoko ring road to YASCO. Where we are right now, there is a grader in the field, the grader right now is in the field, trying to assess all those parts to enable our farmers to have access roads to transport their products to the market. Across the ward also, I have also mapped out those routes to be constructed. I mean, to create an access route to them. Let’s take for example, in Okuku and Echumofana, Echumofana to Aliforkpa, Ijegu to Wonyen, Wonyen to Uchun, Uchu to Alifopa, Alifopa back to Gabun, and that route transverses also from Gabu to Ijegu Yala, where it also terminates at Okuku, Okpoma-Okukun Road, that’s a ring road.
And that road is very important because it is a road that we use even in our political campaigns. So I want an impact where the community will have an impact on their governance, so that from time to time, we can go around and see how our people will see the presence of the government.
Installation of Solar street lights and connecting communities to national grid
Not only the access route, my plan is to see how the roads will be illuminated with the solar lights along the road, and equally connecting the community with the national grid. For our possible empowerment, so that our youth can equally see how they can better themselves, using maybe the skilled youth can open their businesses, like barbing saloons, like welding, and every other activity needing electricity.
Grading of Yala Constituency 2 Ring roads
The same design, is also for Yala Constituency 2. Also I look at Ezekwe, I look at Anyogbe, from Anyogbe to Opiriku, from Opiriku you terminate at Wanokom. That is the ring road that is there. The same thing applies to Wanokom, Fumantrigom, Yiragam, Wanihem, and Wanikade. That is my plan for the dual Constituency. And I know that by the grace of God, with the support of my good governor, within the period of three years in my office, these roads will be made accessible permanently for my people.
Health revolution
I also look at the health sector. In the health sector, there is an ALGON building that has not been utilized by ALGON, but abandoned. The association of chairmen in the country have gone there, work has started right there now. I want to see how that health center will be commissioned so that our people will have access to health, from Aliforkpa to Echumofana, even to Akreha, the usage of that facility will reduce the challenge of access to health attention. This will also tackle the cases of quackery effectively. Quacks that normally come from the neighboring border would be curved. I want to make sure that I will reduce quackery in our local government.
Sports & Youth Development
Then, in sports, I look at sports as an essential instrument for empowering the youth. I have inaugurated a sports committee. I have equally selected members of the team, a football team. We will equally register them with the state and the national, so that they can compete with other teams in various football tournaments, so that our youth can be properly empowered. Then also, I’m equally screening the female football team, so that, like the Falcons, or whatever we are going to call them, we are going to have a female football team from Yala, where our girls can equally show their football talents, and be linked to the national and international team. I plan to have mini stadium to host various sporting activities at the council. These and many more are what we are doing this past 100 days and by the grace of God with the support of our sweet Prince Governor and resources available to us we will reposition Yala for all round development, socially, economically, infrastructure and otherwise.
PHOTO CAPTION
The executive Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Elder, Hon. Dr Fred Okem (middle), flanked by Uncle Sam (left), Uncle Sunny Eriba (second left), Mr Ogar Solomon Ogar of Solomon’s Island (Second right) and Uncle Willy Ibu (right) in Abuja, recently.
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