We'll Make Obubra An LGA To Be Reckoned With In Nigeria - Gov. Otu

 

We'll Make Obubra An LGA To Be Reckoned With In Nigeria - Gov. Otu

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has stated his administration's determination to invest in Obubra and put the agriculturally rich area in its pride of place as one of the oldest and biggest local government areas in Nigeria.

The governor made this known, Friday, when he hosted a delegation of stakeholders and leaders of Obubra, led by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, member representing Obubra/Etung federal constituency in the lower chambers of the national assembly.

In his words: "Obubra has not been accorded its pride of place as one of the oldest and biggest local government areas in the country." My administration is taking deliberate steps to turn the fortunes of Obubra LGA around and make it a local government area to be reckoned with in Nigeria.

"We would plough in investments that would bring government presence to Obubra and make it a hub for food production through cultivation of crops like cassava, rice, as well as other food value chains."

Otu revealed that the recently conducted soil test across the State pits Obubra as the LGA with one of the best soils for the cultivation of cocoa and other agricultural produce, assuring that "in no distant future, we will establish a new cocoa estate in Obubra, open up lands for commercial agriculture and food production in the area."

On his earlier campaign promise to turn the University of Cross River State's Obubra campus to a college of agriculture, the governor reiterated that he is not reneging on his pledge, as plans are underway for the kickoff of College of Agriculture, where academic researches would be carried out to support the agricultural potentials in Obubra LGA.

"Very soon, the emergence of the college, as it is reminiscent of every higher institution, would return Obubra to its once bubbly state, where the micro economy would keep everyone engaged in profitable ventures.

"We must come together to create a functional economy that would entrench prosperity for the citizens of the state," he stated.

He also assured the Obubra people that his government is making plans to honour and immortalize their late illustrious son, Chief John Oyom Okpa, whose earthly sojourn duly earned him a place among the pantheon of great political leaders in the state and country.

"Some of the best people to bring into leadership are from Obubra. We all worked hard for the victory that we have today. So, we must come together and work to achieve the greater objective of economic prosperity for all.

"The time for politics is over. It is time to work for the betterment of the state and its people," the governor concluded.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, thanked the governor for his proactive efforts, especially towards returning peace to communities lurked in boundary skirmishes, informing that just recently, the police inspector general had approved a second police division for Obubra LGA.

Etaba also revealed that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, would be in Obubra, soon, to assess the degree of damage caused by the rainstorm few weeks ago, with a call on the government and other well meaning individuals and corporate organizations are follow up or lend a helping hand.

The lawmaker, who spoke glowingly of the governor for the great strides recorded in less than a year on the saddle, informed Otu that his political antecedents and good name have become tools for opening doors for the at national level and beyond.

While thanking Governor Otu for his support, the third term representative debunked claims of any balkanization in the leadership of Obubra, assuring the governor of the people's unflinching solidarity and support at all times.

In their separate remarks, Hon. Ernest Irek, Chief Alex Irek, Hon. Chris Obasse, among other speakers, thanked the governor for appointing Obubra sons and daughters in political positions and drew the government's attention to some concerns bothering the local government area. Some of which were, poor rural road network, absence of portable drinking water, absence of electricity, human empowerment, etc.