When Sen. Bassey Otu assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, he wasted no time in hitting the ground running, as he immediately constituted sectorial transition report review committees to, amongst other things, review the state of affairs, recommend and proffer possible structural adjustments in MDA’s, policies and programmes that will help his administration leave lasting legacies in the sands of time.

For Otu, the need to have a full understanding of the existing government structures served as a guide to provide the right interventions, deploy the right policies and programmes in the implementation of The People’s First Mandate.

Lets look at the swift interventions in the various sectors of government

Waste Disposal:

Calabar and, indeed, Cross River State has always been known for her serenity and cleanliness: the ancient city has won several national awards in the past as the most clean, green and serene city in Nigeria.

Immediately the governor assumed office, As part of efforts to restore the clean and green status of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, he set in motion the evacuation of refuse waste and garbage from the Calabar metropolis and reintroduced the sweeping of streets, a quick intervention aimed at restoring the cleanliness serenity Calabar and, indeed, Cross River State is known for.

In his determination to confront the issues of waste disposal, he visited the filled and overflowing dump site at Lemna, Calabar and directed that the dumpsite be put in proper condition, while arrangements for another dumpsite is underway. The dumpsite has been remodeled and currently serves its purpose.

To enhance effective and efficient monitoring of indiscriminate refuse disposal by residents as well as ensure robust evacuation by relevant government agencies, the governor introduced a new refuse disposal guideline. According to the new guidelines, refuse disposal by residents are to be carried out between the hours of 6pm and 10pm daily to give room for evacuators who are expected to affect the final clearance of such waste from dumpsters to designated disposal points.

Otu also directed the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) to, effectively, mobilize its staff in their day-to-day cleaning of streets and desilting of gutters where necessary to allow for easy and free flow of water in the drains.

The most visible impact of the course of action this administration has taken so far in respect to the environment is the disappearance of heaps of garbage on major streets and highways in the Calabar metropolis.

Grass Cutting, Trees Pruning, Removal of Old Trees and Flowers Trimming*

Since his assumption on the 29th of May, A new Calabar, clean and green has emerged. Thousands of young men have been gainfully engaged in the cutting of grasses, trees pruning and flowers trimming. As part of environmental safety measures and due to incessant cases of old trees falling on cars by the road, injuring and killing residents, old trees are being removed and new ones replanted, areas of the metropolis abandoned and left unkempt for years now wears a new look.

The entire metropolis and, indeed, Cross River State, now wears a new look and is gradually regaining its pride of place as the cleanest/greenest State in the country.

Road: Road Construction, Potholes filling and Erosion Control

As a measure of ensuring zero potholes on the roads in the metropolis, Gov. Bassey Otu directed the immediate filling of all potholes. Although the rain has been unrelenting and delaying the work progress, work has since begun in MCC, Eta Agbor, etc and the potholes are quickly disappearing.

The governor also approved the construction of a 2km long road network at Nyong Edem in Calabar south and reconstruction of the Lemna road within the dilapidated axis of the dumpsite.

While the Lemna intervention is 12inch thickness of concrete, the Nyong Edem road network is 9inch thickness concrete and is being done according to specification and in strict compliance to international standards.

On assumption of office, the governor also undertook on-the-spot site inspection of some erosion sites in the state capital such as the failed drainage along Yellow Duke Road. Construction of the erosion site is set to kick-off

State Library
In his effort to encourage reading and research in the State and bringing back the reading culture amongst students, Governor Bassey Otu’s directive to revamp and digitalize the dilapidated Calabar library is ongoing. Construction work has begun and a befitting and functional library with an e-section will be ready soon.

Governor’s Office Remodeling*
Moved by the deplorable state of the Governor’s Office, the Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu directed the renovation, remodeling and total overhauling and proper modernization of all departments and units in the Governors Office Complex, turning it into a 21st Century smart office.

Work has since begun and reconstruction is ongoing. The contractors have assured that the complex will be ready in six months.

Security

As part of his mandate to ensure a zero crime Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has taken significant steps in combating crime and insecurity in the state, which once prided itself as one of the safest states in the country.

The governor with the help of Mr. President facilitated the deployment of a Naval warship to the Cross River State waterways. The Cross River State Water ways, which was a major route in the kidnappers operation, has since been overtaken by security operatives. This singular move has completely taken care of the incessant kidnap cases in the state.

Also, to ensure that all criminal elements are completely taken off the state and in his determination in combating criminal activities in the state, the government of Cross River State has directed a massive crackdown on criminal hideouts in the state, including the operational base of illicit drug peddlers, kidnappers den, illegal scrap metal operators, brothels etc.

This exercise has recorded huge success with the demolition of several major illicit drug houses, kidnappers den, arrest of kidnappers, notorious drug lords and peddlers as well as well as illegal scrap metal operators in the state.

The security situation is however a huge departure from the situation he met.

Street Lights

In order to restore proper lighting of the streets in the metropolis, the governor took measure in ensuring proper functionality of the street lights. First, he directed the repairs and replacement of all defective street lights, work is ongoing as most defective street lights have been fixed and fully functional.

Secondly, the governor directed the uninterrupted lightings of all workable street lights in the metropolis. Since his assumption of office, the streets have assumed proper illumination at night as a result of the uninterrupted powered street lights in the metropolis. The lights have also reduced cases of criminality associated with the night.

Workers Welfare

Determined to resolve the plethora of issues affecting civil/public servants including the implementation of promotions and other critical issues, the governor directed the head of service to screen all civil servants in the state in order to ascertain accurate documentation for the issues to be addressed. The exercise is ongoing.

In light of the untold hardship across the country, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, the governor is set to unveil palliatives as well as welfare measures to civil servants and the general public.

Uncompleted Projects and Revamping of State Legacy Assets

One of his campaign promises was the completion of all uncompleted and ongoing projects in the State. On assumption of office, the governor embarked on an inspection tour of the uncompleted projects in the state: he visited the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem-Ukelle road project, the Obudu cargo airport where he reiterated his commitment to complete all ongoing projects. Work on the Obudu cargo airport is ongoing.

Gov. Otu also inspected the dilapidated Ranch Resort, Cultural Centre Complex and the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC), while work is ongoing in the CICC and the Cultural Centre, the governor has concluded plans for the complete repair, reconstruction and revamping of the Ranch Resort. Similarly, the cross river state government also visited the marina resort assuring of plans to revamp the facilities.

Beautification

Strategic locations of the Calabar metropolis have been earmarked for reconstruction and beautification. Reconstruction is currently ongoing at the millennium park. The governor has given the assurance that beautification across the metropolis will continue until Calabar regains her place of pride as Nigeria’s tourism destination

The Prince Otu Factor
In the annals of history, there are leaders whose actions reverberate far beyond their time in office. They possess the rare ability to envision a society where government takes absolute responsibility in the welfare and protection of citizens, providing infrastructure and an enabling environment for economic growth. His purpose-driven leadership style is seen in every step aimed at encouraging investment, stimulate economic diversification, and promoting long-term economic growth.

There is no denying the fact that the person of Sen (Prince) Bassey Otu is warm and affectionate. He is widely acceptable across tribe and party lines. He is a governor without boundary, spiritually inclined and embodies assurances of better days ahead. He does not pretend to be what he is not, neither does he promise what he cannot do.

No sooner he mounted the saddle than he started engaging everyone on the way forward. He promised to chart a new course for Cross River development through a six-pillar roadmap, which includes Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Arts, Culture and Tourism and Governance. Not in the first 100 days but during his four years in the saddle.

SPBO quickly showed a transparent determination to boost the State’s economy, by commencing talks with agencies of the Federal Government and development partners across the globe. He has set the agenda of prosperity and development in all sectors with emphasis on the welfare of the people. SPBO has started strong, he is going on strong and Cross River State, under the administration of SPBO, will achieve tremendous results

Nate Otaba
Special Assistant on Communication to Gov Otu