By Andy Esiet, Calabar
For Cross River state to come out of its civil service status and less dependent on the monthly handout from the Federation account, the Bakassi deep seaport must be completed.
An All Progressives Congress ((APC) 2023 Cross River state governorship aspirant, Engr. Nsa Ekpenyong Asuquo said this at weekend when his Consultative Team met with former Senator Florence Ita-Giwa in her residence in Calabar soliciting for her blessings and support for the governorship race. .
A statement from his media team quoted Engr Asuquo as saying; “the secret of the commercial activities and economy boom in Lagos State today lies in their Deep Seaport. Nnewi in Anambra state today is a commercial and industrial City in Nigeria because of the citation of many industries in the area. It’s time to salvage Cross River State, having been a Mariner for years, I have all the expertise to make Bakasi Deep Seaport work”.
Asuquo who is the youngest aspirant in the state at 37 years said, “for Cross River State to come out from her civil service status with little income to a full time industrialized state, it’s Bakassi Deep Sea Port project must work” .
The business tycoon and philanthropist who appreciated Sen. Ita Giwa for the warm reception, hospitality and kind words, promised, “I will consolidate on Governor Ben Ayade’s vision to revolutionize Cross River State completely to an economy hub of Nigeria. Cross River will be a replica of Lagos”.
While receiving the team, Sen. Ita-Giwa popularly known as “”Mama Bakassi”, reassured the team of her support for the “Back-to-South” agenda saying, “I am strongly in support of a southern candidate to succeed Governor Ayade, the South ruled for eight years, Central eight years, North is about to complete her eight years, for justice, equity and fairness, power should return to the south”.
Sen. Ita-Giwa who gave her blessings and support to the aspiration of Engr. Asuquo said, his entry into the governorship race “is timely and revolutionary” describing him as “one of the finest visionary leaders that have promised to consolidate on Ayade’s projects”.
She said Engr. Asuquo “is a young and vibrant man who has shown capacity and good leadership qualities over years. The forth coming 2023 general elections in Cross River State most especially, is going to be a semblance of 1999 election, so APC needs a candidate who has the capacity and fellowship, a candidate who hasn’t stepped on toes, someone who has the courage and will-power. The party needs a ‘fresh-air’ like Engr Asuquo” .
On his part, High Chief Thomas Udam (Timmy Tom), Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, thanked Sen. Ita Giwa for the hospitality and and gave the reassurance that Engr. Asuquo has all it takes to win election if given the opportunity.
