Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, appears to be taking deliberate steps to return the state to the path of development and ecstasy, similar to what was experienced in the days of Donald Duke.
Within his first two years in office, Otu looks good to secure a place in the heart of the people, given the quality and nature of projects he is initiating and completing.
For example, some of the projects that were abandoned by precious governments are getting his attention.
While he has given the state library which was neglected by the immediate past government a new and iconic look, Otu has also given attention to other public infrastructure, attracting commendations from the people.
On Wednesday, he commissioned the newly completed Local Government Service Commission Complex in Calabar, where he urged the workers to be productive and disciplined in the discharge of their duties.
The complex was initiated over a decade ago but remained uncompleted until Otu’s came into the fray.
At the commissioning ceremony, Otu assured that no project would be abandoned under his watch, saying his government had already completed about 40 percent of previously abandoned projects.
The governor emphasized his administration’s focus on enhancing workers welfare and sanitizing the public service.
He urged civil servants to promote efficiency and eliminate systemic issues such as the ghost workers saga.
“We will continue to play our part as a responsible government. But we also expect you, the workforce, to rise to the occasion.”
Otu described the local government service commission as one of the most neglected institutions in the state and stated that its rehabilitation was part of a broader initiative to revitalize abandoned government infrastructure.
He charged civil servants to reciprocate the government’s investment by promoting efficiency and eliminating issues such as ghost workers.
The Permanent Secretary in the the ministry of local government affairs, Mrs. Caro Asikpo, commended the project, describing it as a beacon of institutional revival and purposeful leadership.
“This facility is more than just a building; it is a powerful symbol of the administration’s determination to restore excellence and integrity to the civil service,” she said.
Chairman of the local government service commission, Darlington Bassey, lauded Otu for his leadership and commitment to institutional development.
He expressed gratitude for the governor’s efforts in revitalizing the commission, noting that the administration had already uncovered over 200 ghost workers in the system.
The project was commissioned by an elder statesman and former Military Administrator of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar (Rtd.).
