Gov Otu met empty treasury, decayed infrastructure in Cross River – Official

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The Cross River State Government stated once again that its treasury was devoid of funds when Governor Bassey Otu assumed office on May 29th of the previous year.

Ankpo Edet, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state, said this during a briefing with reporters in Calabar on Wednesday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Despite the financial constraints, Mr. Edet highlighted the significant progress made by the administration in urban renewal, particularly in the Calabar metropolis and surrounding areas.

He noted that in addition to road rehabilitation, the government had constructed new roads, with plans underway for several more to commence soon.

“The level of infrastructure decay we met on ground was such that I was confused as a commissioner when I went around Calabar upon resumption.

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“I am happy to announce that we have done a lot in rehabilitating most of these roads in spite of the Senator Bassey Otu-led administration meeting empty treasury.

“Just like we had in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, so were there several unmotorable roads in Cross River North and Cross River Central,” he said.

The commissioner said since the government was a continuum, the present administration would not abandon any of the road projects inherited from previous administrations.

“These projects are being carried out with taxpayers’ money and so, we will work on them and also not abandon any of those we are working on now.

“You will see the serious work on the parliamentary extension road. We are using this road as our super highway since the one embarked upon by the immediate past administration didn’t see the light of the day,” he stated.

The commissioner further said the government adopted concrete pavement in state road construction.

He said local contractors primarily handled the road projects for economic purposes.

“We don’t like capital flight, and these local contractors are doing tremendous jobs on these projects,” he said.

The commissioner said the ongoing Obudu airport project would be completed by May.