…says it goes beyond building houses
By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, recently performed the ground breaking ceremony of 1000 units of People First housing scheme for civil servants in the state.
Speaking during the ceremony which took place at Ikot Effio-Okon Etim community in Akpabuyo local government area, Cross River, the governor said the event “was not merely about building houses, but building security, hope and a better future for civil servants and their families.”
Represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, the governor explained that the ceremony remains a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the welfare, dignity and future of the men and women who serve the state faithfully in the public service.
He reasoned that “civil servants remain the engine room of governance as they carry the responsibility of translating policies into action, sustaining the machinery of government and ensuring continuity in service delivery,” adding that, “It is therefore only right that we create meaningful interventions that speak to their comfort, stability and long term security.”
Admitting that his administration remains intentional in investing in a future where workers can look forward to life after service with a peace of mind, Otu reassured that, “we want our civil servants to know that their years of loyal service to Cross River will not be in vain.
He further noted that his tenure as governor will see to a civil service where workers will retire with dignity, comfort and confidence that they have a place they can truly call their own.
For the State Head of Service, Barr. Orok Bassey Okon, “this scheme is about recognising the challenges of landed property acquisition by salary earners.”
Zonal head of Zenith Bank, Elfreda Dan Asuquo represented by Magdalene Wilson, assured that the financial institution as the financier of the project, will support, back the project and stand with the government and people of the state.
“Today is not just representing a construction occasion, the groundbreaking is indeed a mutual relationship which began and will be sustained even to the future by the Grace of God,” she maintained.
A community leader and former Commissioner for Information as well as Commerce in the state, Mrs Rosemary Archibong, applauded the governor for the initiative, while affirming that the project will boost commercial activities as well as increase the voting strength of the area.
The governor also conducted the groundbreaking of a staff club and Event centre at the new Secretariat complex, Calabar.
Speaking at the venue of the ceremony, Otu informed that the initiative behind the Club house and Event Centre was in appreciation of the hard work being carried out by civil servants in the state.
He further warned that, “let it be on record that we are not about to flag off an ‘Amebo,’ centre, it is not a gossip centre, but a place to relax after hard work.”
