The Cross River State government has gained recognition by winning prestigious awards such as the NG awards from the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) and being named the overall best award in the 2024 Science and Technology Expo by the Federal Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Technology for excelling in digital innovation.
These, along with several others, were listed by the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, as part of the scorecard and plan released to commemorate his one year in office.
In a state broadcast on Wednesday in Calabar, the governor disclosed that the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Technology, has decided to establish its regional office in Cross River State.
“All in all, the state has made significant strides within the past year in advancing its digital infrastructure and services and is implementing a Central Payment and Authentication System (CAS) to streamline financial transactions and enhance the visibility of tax-related activities.
He reflected on his administration’s achievements in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, agriculture, health, and economic development.
Otu highlighted efforts to revitalise the state’s economy, improve infrastructure, enhance security, promote agriculture, and strengthen healthcare services.
The Governor also emphasises the importance of continuity in governance and the need for sustainable development initiatives.
He said efforts were made to regain lost state assets of the state, such as Tinapa, Oban Palm Plantation, and Akamkpa Rubber Plantation, among others.
“It is therefore with pride and excitement that I announce to Cross Riverians that the state is a reservoir of vast oil and gas resources with the commencement of drilling in two oil blocs as well as the ongoing re-entry of abandoned cat-wells. This has prompted meetings and discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and other stakeholders towards full exploration and production, which will lead to the attainment of oil-producing status with its attendant benefits.
“In addition to this realisation, the recent visit by the National Boundary Commission on the request of the Cross River State Government for a revisit of the precise location of oil wells along our boundaries with neighbouring states has sufficient promise that past decisions against the state were incorrect. Cross River State is surely on the road to recovering some of its oil wells.
Moreover, he said efforts are geared towards enhancing digital infrastructure for economic growth and efficiency in governance.
To address the need for energy security, he disclosed that the state government is bidding for the Odukpani Power Plant and desires joint ownership of the UNIDO Power Plant in Obudu.
In the words of the Governor, “The immediate impact of all these innovations is the growth of IGR from N20.5 billion in 2022 to N30.8 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 52.4%.”
“It also grew by 60.6%, or N22.6 billion, from June 2023 to N36 billion in May 2024. N16.3 billion was recorded between January 2024 and May 2024 from the initial N10.5 billion during the same period in 2023, representing a 55% growth.”
“During the same period, the state moved from its permanent 28th position to being among the first 10 states in the accountability index through its timely delivery of records to relevant authorities.”
The governor’s address touched on various sectors of the economy. It acknowledged that Cross River State is currently only second to Lagos State in the prospective advancement index, which considers the state’s potential resources and organisational plans.
“We have also distributed farm inputs to 1,080 beneficiaries, rehabilitated 17 farm access roads with 4,250 beneficiaries utilising them, established 286 income-earning Agric enterprises, and seconded 2000 incubates to undergo membership. Similarly, work on the planting of 3.5 million (three million, five hundred thousand) oil palm seedlings has commenced, while other interventions in other cash crops are currently being tackled, he said.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
