By: Kingsley Agim
Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. RoseMary Effiom Archibong has stated that the State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade’s ingenious policy thrusts have set Cross River on a cruise to all-round prosperity.
The Commissioner, who made this assertion during her Ministry's sensitization seminar, held recently in the Conference Hall of Professor Eyo Ita House, Marian Road, Calabar, said the maiden outing of the Ministry of Commerce is to ensure the realization of her Ministry’s mandate in line with the policy direction of Governor Ayade-led administration.
“The Governor came with a dynamic vision of emancipating the people of Cross River State; getting us out of the mentality of monthly salary-based expectations into engaging in industrialization, agriculture, trading commerce, etc. and that is why we are here,” Mrs. Archibong remarked.
Continuing, the Commerce Commissioner pointed out that it is for the above-mentioned vision of the governor that he decided in his second term to exercise the commercial component of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry into a full-fledged Ministry, in order to underscore the exigency of getting the people involved in non-oil trading and marketing, exports business, which she maintained, began with setting up of the various industries in the State, adding that “today, those industries have started yielding fruits already, with the latest being the humongous orders for the garment factory to supply National Youth Service Corps Uniforms and many other uniform organizations.
The Commerce Boss averred that the coming of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture to the State on a tour of the agro-industrialization exploits of the Ayade-led administration, just like all others who have come before, would leave him in awe of the lofty strides Cross River has made under the present government.
“It is in view of all of these that the Ministry of Commerce decided to begin this interactive session to keep the people of the State more informed about the endowments in the State. The State is endowed with all sorts of exportable and exploitable goods. The State hosts a port, and that is why we must know the dynamics of port activities and the various levels and possibilities of maritime trade. She said having seen the gateway to prosperity with what the present administration has made possible, the seminar will keep the people well informed, better positioned to embrace all available avenues in sector,” she stated.
She enjoined President Muhammadu buhari to expedite action in support of the speedy completion of the Bakassi Deep Seaport for the country to benefit from its nearness to the Eastern and Western African sub-regions, as well as the Northern and South-Eastern parts of the country.
In his opening declaration, the Chairman of the event, who is also the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Public-Private Partnership and Privatization, Hon. Chris Njar Mbu_ogar, said he decided to give primacy to the event, firstly because of the person involved – Mrs. RoseMary Archibong, whom he quipped “is replete with the verve to drive the processes necessary for the economic development of cross River State,” expressing optimism that the Ministry of commerce is evolving a very sound footing that Cross Riverians will definitely be proud that the economy of this State will be resting on her shoulder.
The towering legislator further stated that this event is important to him base on his position in the hallowed chamber and thirdly, he pointed out that “it is an event that will create a Cross River State and indeed Nigeria beyond oil.”
Continuing, Hon. Mbu-Ogarr remarked: “I am a firm believer in the Ayade’s theory of economic development, which is a shift from Marxism and the rest of other Economic Theorists, concerning itself with the evolution of a turn-around economy which is more practical in entrenching prosperity for all.”
The lawmaker averred that the stringent present financial situation of the Cross River and the loss of her littoral status by the loss of the 76 oil well and Bakassi, gave rise to the robust industrialization drive of the State, commending the governor for his foresighted innovations, especially the G-money initiative which is empowering young Cross Riverians to venture into agriculture, while the government becomes the off-taker.
“I want to thank you for putting up and driving this initiative. I believe sincerely that the synergy of CALCCIMA, NPA and the Ministry of Commerce is going to take Cross River become the leading State economically in no distance future. I am so excited to find the crème de la crème of men and women participating in this event. From the House of Assembly and to the extent that I continue to sit as the Chairman of this Committee, whatever is required to make this vision thrive, you will have it,” he concluded.
An outpour of goodwill messages, notably from the Chairman of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agricultuure (CALCCIMA), Mr. Etta ndoma-Egbba, Represenaative of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Calabar, Mr. Chijioke Okadike, and the General Manager, Eco Marine Terminals, Mr. Diran Akorede, all heaped praises on Governor Ayade for the remarkable feat in agro-industrialization in the State, while pledging continued partnership with the government in moving the State forward.
The expository one-day event, tagged “Promoting Ecoonomic Growth through Export and Maritime Business, had speakers drawn from the private sector as well as Commissioners and top officials from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
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