…says, appointments not political patronage
By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Newly inaugurated members of Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), have been charged not to see their appointments as political patronage, but a call to sincere and patriotic service to their motherland.
The governor, Prince Bassey Otu, gave the charge during the oath taking ceremony of the chairman and members of the Commission, held at the Dan Archibong lodge temporary office of the Governor in Calabar.
Otu who also swore in Board members of the Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), urged the team to look inward for funding sources in order to carter for the increasing cost of governance.
To CROSIEC, the governor said, “your selections from among other eminent CrossRiverians is predicated on the records of forthrightness, common good and patriotism,” urging them to ensure that their actions are in tandem with ‘Think Cross River’ consciousness as well as remain guided by extant electoral guidelines to deliver quality service to the state.
Otu who advised the team to eschew selfishness, favouritism and nepotism in all ramifications, maintained that, “if you adhere to these ideals, you will write your names in gold for stabilizing democracy at the local government level.”
To CRIRS Board, the governor applauded them for what he termed, “breaking the glass ceiling in revenue generation in Cross River,” going by the statistics he rolled out during his administration’s one year in office.
According to Otu, “the reward for hardwork is more work, hence I applaud your efforts so far,” informing that, “this monumental achievement is due to some innovations introduced by all revenue generating agencies to block leakages in revenue generation and application.”
“From approvals,” Otu said, “it is very clear that we have to expand our revenue strength and I know that definitely the people joining are also coming with a lot of experience and knowledge to add to what you are doing.”
Continuing, he said, “there are going to be some new innovations which will add strength and valour to what you are doing so far, we want to see a better addition to what you are doing for this is the only way to justify the rich confidence reposed in you, therefore, perform over and above expectations,” the governor charged.
Responding, Chairman of CROSIEC, Ekong Boco, assured that all aspirants to the third tier of government would be offered equal opportunity and a level playing field, adding that, his team will remain fair to all manner of persons.
On his part, Chairman of the CRIRS Board, Edwin Okon, thanked God for the grace of life and the governor for appointing him and his team.
Okon who pledged to do more, however frowned at a situation where most CrossRiverians including former political leaders shy away from paying tax, a development he said CRIRS would strategize to check such anomaly.
Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, in his introductory remarks, identified the newly inaugurated CROSIEC and CRIRS Board as men and women of experience, character and knowledge chosen through due process of selection and aimed at either driving the process of good governance to the grassroot level or increasing the revenue base of the state, respectively.
