IN CROSS RIVER STATE, THE GOVERNMENT MEETS THE GOVERNED

  Aback to history, since the inception of democracy, Friday 27th July 2018 recorded another gathering where the the Government had an interface with the masses. At Axari hotel calabar, the Government engaged in a conversation rapport with the masses cordially.

THE CONVERSATION; an initiative of the ministry of information, Cross River State spearheaded by the commissioner of Information Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Archibong constituted a panel of well vested government officials to converse and answer questions pertaining the administration of the Government Sen., Prof., Ben Ayade.

Discussants present were; Prof. Anthony Eneji( Comm. For Agriculture), Arch. Chief Bassey Ndem( One time Comm. For lands), Dr. Francis Odey Ntamu ( Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor ), Mr. Udiba E. Udiba( DG Bureau for Public private partnership), Mr. Thomas AttehehEh, Bishop Mike Okom( Private sector discussant), Mrs Lawrencia Ita - CROWEI and Barr. Mrs Rosemary Archibong as host.

Highlighting the achievements of the Governor were the views of  prof. Anthony Eneji(Comm. For Agric), who said the government is capitalizing on the state's land mass to improve agricultural base of the state. From the planting of cocoa, rice, cotton and other food crops to the LIFE project which is in the pipeline to kickstart at the end of the year. Farmers were advised to visit the ministry for more details and be beneficiaries of the life evolving initiative.

The Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Francis Odey Ntamu buttressed the successfully achievements of the government by saying there's a 30 year investment blueprint for the state. The blue print will enable the present to progressively develop into a magnified future of the state. The blueprint itself includes: infrastructure, Governance administration, social development, sustainable development, tourism and others.

Progressively, the Comm. For commerce and industry Mr. Peter Egba sounded no different as he recorded that since the EAGLE( Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade) LANDED, industries have been scattered almost across the state. From Calapharm to Garment Factory. From the automatic vibrated poles industry at Awi to the industrial park for investors. Not forgetting the toothpick company of the state to an immeasurable extent has created employment opportunities for youths, widows, orphans and the less privileged.

Recording the Governor's achievements, the DG BPPP; Mr Udiba E. Udiba added that the economic policy of the government is INDUSTRALIZATION and all of them are; The calabar deep sea port, the super high way, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Services( Health care delivery), Education, water, power and Hydro carbon frontier explorations. These can be the pride of the present administration as they are still accomplishing.

What may likely differ at the meeting were the views of Arch. Bassey Edem, whom at it, said there's need for the Government to match expectations with reality. He said the tax rate is so high that the market place CALABAR seems too daring to survive in. The Government should be considerate when implementing tax cost.

Bishop Prof. Mike Okom saw Governance as a shift business and there's no perfect Government. The need to advance quality education should be top most priority of  the government for the masses. He charged all to go back to their constituencies and engage in all ways possible to improve quality Education in the state.

Whereas, questions were entertained on the possibility of the calabar deep sea port being established and the modalities set by the Government to moderate the tax rate for business owners, both questions were answered as it was made known that the Governor is not firm tied towards ensuring that his visions meets reality and the aim of ensuring conducive livelihood for investors and cross riverians is achieved.

The meeting's curtain was drawn to a close at 2:08pm after a vote of thanks was given by Mr. Aye Henshaw( Perm. Sec. Ministry of Information CRS).

Special feature at the meeting was  30 minutes documentary display on the giant strides of the Digital Governor.

In attendance were the Heads of Igbo, Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba communities, Efik ntoe, Canaan ladies association, CROWEI Head, YCN CRS PRO and other media stations in partnership with the ministry for the successful hosting and continuity of the meeting.