—Governor vows to pay second gratuity tranche before December
The Cross River State Elders’ Forum has endorsed Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term, citing his administration’s strides in security, healthcare and infrastructure.
The governor, meanwhile, has announced plans to release the next tranche of retirees’ gratuities before December, assuring pensioners of his administration’s continued commitment to clearing the backlog.
The endorsement was contained in an address by the Forum’s Chairman, Col. Pam Ogar (retd.), former Military Administrator of Kwara State, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the State Executive Council Chamber, Calabar, on Thursday.
Ogar said the Forum’s decision followed a careful review of the administration’s performance.
“The Forum hereby expresses its confidence in your administration and accordingly, wholeheartedly encourages you to present yourself for a second term in office,” he declared.
He said a second tenure would enable Otu to consolidate the gains recorded by his administration, complete ongoing developmental programmes and pursue uncompleted projects initiated by his predecessor.
The elders commended the governor’s “People First” philosophy, citing the Cross River State Public Complaints Office and the Cross River State Live platform as evidence of his administration’s responsiveness to citizens.
They also lauded reforms in the health sector, particularly the upgrade of nursing schools to Colleges of Nursing in Obudu, Ogoja, Itigidi and Calabar.
On security, the Forum praised efforts to curb robbery and kidnapping but urged the government to intensify action against cattle grazers, illegal settlements and iron scavengers in Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom and Obubra.
The elders, however, appealed to the governor to expedite the payment of outstanding gratuities and pensions.
“It is our passionate appeal that government take a serious look into this problem to ameliorate the sufferings of retirees,” Ogar said.
He also urged the governor to prioritise industrialisation during a second term, saying Cross River must move beyond consumption to production, value addition, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Responding, Otu described the elders’ visit and counsel as invaluable, noting their wealth of experience in different professions and their contributions to nation and state building.
“When I look at the faces here, I see people who have reached the peak in their different professions and who have had experiences which we still need in terms of nation-building and state-building,” he said.
On retirees’ benefits, Otu disclosed that the government had commenced arrangements to release the next tranche of gratuity before December, assuring pensioners that efforts to clear the backlog would continue.
The governor also addressed the state’s efforts to reclaim its oil-producing assets, stressing the need to preserve the resources for future generations.
“These things were created by God and the universe. We take care of it and then hand it over to the next generation,” he said.
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