Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has vowed to ensure that all movable and immovable state properties illegally taken away by former government dignitaries, corporate entities or individuals are recovered.
Two months ago, he recovered equipment that had been unduly taken and hidden in the hometown of his predecessor, Prof Ben Ayade. In his two years, Otu’s government has recovered heavy-duty construction equipment, multiple landed properties, and institutional estates in Ogoja and Calabar.
The governor reiterated his resolve yesterday during the State Executive Council meeting, where he inaugurated Asset Recovery Committees in all 18 local government areas of the state.
Emphasising his determination to redouble efforts at recovering lost assets, Otu’s government has also instituted a state-wide assets audit.
He informed the cabinet that he would soon tour the three senatorial districts to explain why he is clamping down on dignitaries over state assets.
A communiqué released at the end of the cabinet meeting and signed by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, stated: “In furtherance of his leadership commitment to the ‘People First’ Mantra, the Governor reminded EXCO Members of his plans to hold three special town hall meetings in the three senatorial districts of the state with a view to feeling the pulse of the people as regards the administration’s policy milestones.
“At those meetings, the governor will identify their areas of need that will guide his decisions on choice of projects for each community spread across the 18 LGAs.”;
Erasmus disclosed that the government will embark on a state-wide operation to shut down illegal and non-accredited schools across the state.
He maintained that the action is aimed at upholding standards and curbing the alarming proliferation of illegal schools in the state.
