Owan-Enoh unveils Economic Development Masterplan 2019-23 in inter-denominational service

Sen. John Owan-Enoh the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State, Sunday unveiled his Economic Development Masterplan (EDM) 2019 – 2023 NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively. 

The guber candidate did this in the state capital city, Calabar during the specially organised inter-denominational solemn assembly organised to dedicate the 2019 election campaigns to God and signal the formal commencement of his political campaigns in respect of the 2019 general elections.

The event which held at Venetian Arena witnessed prayers for the nation, Nigeria; the state Cross River, the All Progressives Congress and the sundry candidates of the APC in the state cutting across House of Assembly and governorship.

Owan-Enoh who said that his Rescue Agenda envisions making Cross River the preferred investment destination in West Africa hinged his EDM 2019 – 2023 on four priorities, to wit, security, human capital development, industrialisation and infrastructure.

While addressing the audience shortly after Reverend Theodore Effiong, one of the officiating ministers at the interdenominational service preached to the crowd, Owan-Enoh disclosed that his Economic Development Masterplan is bold, realistic and vision/mission-oriented in view of positioning the State on the path of prosperity. He proceeded to disclose the sequence of the realisation of his EDM which revolved around victory at the poll come 2019, followed by convergence of all interests and stakeholders.

Mr Jude Ngaji (M) former State Security Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade

Reverend Theodore Effiong

Mr Hilliard Etta, S/South Vice Chairman of the APC

Victor Ndoma-Egba (R) with Owan-Enoh (L) shaking hands with Mrs Ndoma-Egba

His words, ‘our Economic Development Masterplan (EDM) is a bold but realistic plan to revitalise Cross River State and position it on the path of prosperity. It proposes a vision and a mission that targets four priorities —security, human capital development, industrialisation and infrastructure.

‘However as a first step, the 2019 election has to result in a vote for change. Next, a convergence of all interests and stakeholders with the sole objective of realising the goals set out in this EDM. 

‘The Investment Promotion Bureau (IPB), working with all stakeholders, shall drive the execution of the EDM. The State Planning Commission shall monitor the execution and performance of the EDM. Performance monitoring and evaluation is a tool for re-enforcing positive outcomes while correcting unintended consequences. The Commission’s capabilities shall be strengthened to enable it resolve all implementation challenges and escalate to the State Executive Council cross-sectoral or intractable issues. The Governor presiding over the State Executive Council shall review the quarterly performance of the Masterplan.’

Continuing, Owan-Enoh added that, ‘When optimally executed, the EDM shall result in a safe and peaceful, better HDI (health, education and earning), the creation of over 30, 000 jobs, more than 600 new startups, the support of over 5, 000 SMEs, more competitive and employable school leavers/graduates trained in ICT and basic skills, at least $1bn in FDI deployed to the industrialisation of the agriculture, extractive and tourism sectors and build critical infrastructure.’

Rev’d Theodore Effiong who preached on the topic: ‘No more Brambles’, drew his principal Bible text from Judges chapter 9 verse 6 to 15. The reverend gentleman distinguished majority of people who make up any society into four, namely, the Olive tree whom he said symbolised Christians, the Fig who are the professionals, the Vine who are symbolic of entrepreneurs and the Bramble, the pack of those who are not qualified for leadership. According to Effiong, the Christians, professionals and entrepreneurs are leadership-shy leaving leadership space in society to the unqualified Bramble. He added that, ‘It’s so unfortunate that for a glorious great country like Nigeria, all we’ve seen is brambles in leadership… Since the church has refused to join politics, the worst has happened.’ He commended the guber candidates and the APC in Cross River for starting with God but, urged them to be consistent with God when they eventually get into office.

Present at the occasion were party faithfuls and candidates of the APC in Cross River including Victor Ndoma-Egba, Alex Egbona, Wabily Nyiam, Bassey Edet Otu, Rev Theodore Effiong, Sir John Ochalla, etc. 

Efio-Ita Nyok is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NEGROIDHAVEN