Calabar – Some residents of Calabar have extolled Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River for benefiting from the dividends of democracy through various projects initiated by his administration within his first year in office.
A cross section of the residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the projects were people oriented and enhanced their living standards.
Mrs Mary Edet, a public servant, described some of the governor’s projects as people oriented.
“I am particularly happy about the garment factory which is designed to provide jobs for our women, especially the helpless widows.
“It shows how concerned the governor is about the plights of the poor and the vulnerable in the state,’’ Edet said.
She said that employment generation should be the priority of every government, adding that this would reduce poverty in the state and country at large.
Also, Mr Thompson Agi, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, praised the governor for the 260-kilometre Super Highway project linking Calabar with Katsina-Ala in Benue.
He said that the project, when completed, would open up the state to the rest of the country.
“It is a laudable vision. I know that when the project is completed, other parts of Nigeria will be within reach and our people can easily transport their farm produce to other parts of the country,’’ he said.
Agi appealed to the Federal Ministry of Environment to expedite action on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) paper currently before it so that the contractors could move to site and commence work.
Another resident, Mr Joseph Alexander, also commended the governor for his plan to construct the Bakassi Deep Seaport as an alternative to the Calabar Port.
“It has become very pertinent for the state government to construct a deep seaport to enable goods come into the state since the Calabar Port has not been dredged.
“I commend the governor’s vision in this aspect and urge him not to look back.
“He should do everything legally possible to ensure that the port becomes a reality in the life of his administration,’’ he said.
Alexander said the construction of the deep seaport would increase the volume of trade between Cross River and its neighbouring states.
He also described the completion of the monorail project linking Tinapa Business Resort with Calabar International Conference Centre, started by his predecessor, as very gratifying.
“It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and one that befits the status of Calabar as a preferred tourism destination in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Alexander, however, urged the governor to do more in the area of refuse collection in Calabar metropolis in order to restore the green and clean environment which the city is known for. (NAN)