By Henry Obetta
Dr. Ekpenyong Akiba, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on General Duties, has attributed the growing number of federal projects within the state to Governor Bassey Otu’s strategic connection with the Presidency.
Speaking in Calabar while commenting on the Federal Government’s recently introduced National Policy on Maritime and Blue Economy, Akiba characterized the governor’s rapport with President Bola Tinubu as intentional, strong, and highly advantageous for the residents of Cross River.
He cited numerous ongoing significant federal projects as evidence of this collaboration, including the Special Agriculture Processing Zone, the long-awaited dredging and upgrading of Calabar Port, and the recently initiated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“Governor Otu’s deliberate and strategic engagement with the Presidency made all of this achievable,” Akiba remarked.
He further lauded the Federal Government’s renewed dedication to completing the Bakassi Deep Seaport and modernizing Calabar Port, acknowledging their substantial capacity to reshape the region’s economic landscape.
“The governor’s relationship with Mr. President has been crucial in securing Cross River’s appropriate position within the national infrastructure development framework,” he stated.
Akiba highlighted a series of federal initiatives that Cross River has benefited from over the past two years, such as the Students Loan Scheme and programs aimed at empowering women, spearheaded by the First Lady.
“If he can accomplish this in merely two years, then by the conclusion of his second term, Nigeria will undoubtedly witness development on an unprecedented and extraordinary scale,” he added.
Describing President Tinubu as a “man of his word,” Akiba encouraged the public to exercise patience with the current administration, expressing conviction in the President’s economic strategy to yield enduring benefits.
He also underscored the employment generation potential of the ongoing projects, asserting that these endeavors would draw in investment, stimulate the local economy, and create job opportunities for young people throughout the state.
While acknowledging current progress, Akiba urged the Federal Government to accelerate work on other essential projects like the Calabar-Itu and Calabar-Ikom highways, deeming them critical for regional connectivity and economic logistics.
Akiba reiterated his support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that “economic indicators already suggest a consistent national recovery.”
“The narrative continues to evolve, as pledged and as outlined in the President’s Renewed Hope agenda. Governors, regardless of their political affiliations, are now receiving enhanced allocations. It is unsurprising that the opposition is increasingly aligning with President Tinubu and finding our party, the APC, more appealing-as evidenced by recent defections and endorsements for the President and our dynamic Governor Otu leading up to 2027,” Akiba concluded.
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