The Cross River State Government has ramped up efforts to recover public assets, protect government property, and strengthen internal revenue generation as part of broader reforms aimed at improving accountability and prudent resource management.
This disclosure was made during a sectoral media briefing in Calabar, where members of the Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Bassey Otu presented a scorecard of the administration’s performance across key sectors over the past three years.
Commitment to Responsible Governance
Chairman of the Forum and Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, explained that the briefing was organized to provide citizens with factual updates on government programs and achievements, while addressing misconceptions surrounding some projects undertaken by the administration.
Akiba stated that the Otu administration has maintained a strong commitment to responsible governance, noting that several projects have been completed and are in use across the state, many without elaborate commissioning ceremonies.
He emphasized that beyond infrastructure development, the government has prioritized the recovery and protection of public assets to ensure that state resources are effectively utilized for the benefit of residents.
Asset Management and Recovery
Speaking on the activities of the Department of Assets Management and Recovery, Special Adviser Gilbert Agbor described the agency as a strategic institution established to recover lost assets, safeguard government property, and enhance accountability in public resource management.
According to Agbor, the department has implemented a series of reforms, audits, investigations, and enforcement measures aimed at identifying, recovering, and securing government assets that had either been abandoned, mismanaged, or improperly utilized over the years.
He said the asset recovery drive is also contributing to efforts to improve government revenue streams and reduce waste in the management of public resources.
Agbor maintained that the reforms are designed not only to reclaim government property but also to institutionalize transparency and ensure that public assets generate maximum value for the state.
Infrastructure and Education Achievements
The briefing also highlighted achievements in infrastructure, education, and public service delivery, with government officials pointing to extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects across the three senatorial districts.
Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Raphael Adoga, said the administration has completed and rehabilitated numerous road projects in both urban and rural communities, while also renovating key government facilities, including the State Library Complex, the Local Government Service Commission headquarters, and other public buildings.
He further disclosed that work is progressing on the Obudu International Cargo Airport, with navigational equipment already installed and only a few structural components remaining before the facility becomes operational.
The advisers also reported improvements in the education sector, including the completion of 49 primary school projects and the execution of additional infrastructure projects through partnerships with the Federal Government.
They expressed confidence that the administration’s focus on asset recovery, infrastructure renewal, and efficient public service delivery will continue to support sustainable development across the state.
