By Magnus Effiong
Governor Ben Ayade has said that the economic vision he had from the inception of his administration has been realized and that he has successfully laid a solid foundation for the next government to consolidate on.
In his New Year message, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Barrister Christian Ita, Governor Ayade therefore, urged Cross Riverians to expect a buoyant 2023 and beyond.
He maintained that the last seven and half years of his government were devoted to positioning Cross River on the path of sustainable growth and prosperity through massive industrialization, provision of key infrastructure and mass employment.
“When we took over in 2015, we were clear and focused as an administration on what we set out as our blueprint, which was how to recalibrate the economy of our dear state through rapid and aggressive industrialization.
“While the journey to the actualisation of our vision was never a roller coaster, given our peculiar and precarious circumstances, we kept our eyes on the ball and refused to take our feet off the pedal.
“We have remained unwavering in our fidelity to our commitment to build and bequeath an economy that Cross Riverians would not only be proud of, but one that would put the future in their hands,” he stated.
The governor thanked the people for their support in the last seven and half years and urged them to “embrace 2023 with steadfastness, faith and hope as our state is already on the path of growth”
His administration, he said, has been able to anchor the state on a secure harbour with the establishment of industries in almost all the 18 local government areas of the state.
“As an administration that is conscious of the prosperity of its people, in the last seven years, we have been able to tailor our policies and programmes to the basic needs of Cross Riverians; ultimately to ensure a better life for our people, to bequeath to them the Cross River of tomorrow where every family can effortlessly put food on the table.”
Ahead the forthcoming general elections, the Governor called on the people of the state to put Cross River above parochial considerations and not allow self-seeking politicians to manipulate them for their selfish ends.
“Let us not allow unscrupulous politicians who do not mean well for our dear state to divide us. Remember that we have no other state than Cross River,” he appealed.
He expressed gratitude to the people for standing “by us so far and for the great support we have received from you without which we may not have been able to force a dawn of greatness on our dear state.”
