…as VP Shettima commissions aircrafts, library, ICT hub
from Onwa Ekor
Desperate to build a sub national economy that would see Cross River aviation hub among other sectors extending to Guinea Bissau and serving the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Tuesday, unveiled two newly acquired CRJ-1000 aircrafts.
The event which took place at Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, saw the white coloured aircrafts which would be operated by Value Jet, marked ‘Cally Air, proudly Cross River,’ steaming all through the period of the programme.
One of the aircrafts, had the inscription, ‘5N-CRA Margaret Ekpo,’ while the other was marked, ‘5N-CRB Mma Adiaha.’
Unveiling the aircrafts, Shettima said, “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I hereby commission these aircrafts for service to God and humanity.”
At the commissioning of the ICT hub situated in the premises of the remodeled and digitalized state library complex, the Vice President expressed hope that “it would be put into use by youths who constitute the bulk of our population in this digital age of productive technology, to the glory of God and for service to humanity.”
Earlier, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, remarked that the event was part of the Renewed Hope Agenda which the Season of Sweetness decided to key into, in the state’s resolve to build a strong and robust sub national economy that would contribute not just in terms of food and energy security, but ensure that the nation becomes sufficient and independent.
Otu who applauded President Tinubu and his Vice, Shettima, on their roles as champions of the Renewed Hope Agenda, assured of his administration’s support for their goals, programs and aspirations aimed at tremendously positioning the nation.
“Cross River is very proud of our President who has charted a new course for this country by making sure that the reforms that are being introduced are those that are sustainable and would bring a trajectory like no other one had done,” the governor said.
Admitting that the aviation sector remains key in the tourism development policy of the State, Otu said, “we already had two aircrafts, we are adding another two and not too long, we will be adding another three to the fleet.”
The governor maintained that, “what we are doing here is not just for Nigeria alone, we are going to have an aviation hub here that would extend to Guinea Bissau and serve within the Gulf of Guinea.”
On the ICT hub, the governor explained that the essence of setting up the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in the state was to garner enough to power the value chain and all the systems both technically and administratively.
“I want to assure you that all these would be put to good use and you are going to see what Cross River is going to be in the near future.
“We have said we are not just building a sub national economy that would serve Cross River but the country, particularly in terms of food security and other areas and sectors and of course, all the thematic sectors we will be engaging at the moment.
“Our physical sight of the economy is beginning to change, that of Cross River has changed already, we have reduced the cost of our food items, it is just transportation that is our problem, but we are putting infrastructure in place and very soon, the cost of goods would be reduced to the barest minimum,” Otu said.
The Vice President also commissioned the remodeled and digitalized State Library Complex which is fitted with 128kva solar panel.
