By Our Correspondent
Calabar–The Cross River State Southern Senatorial District Assembly has issued a commendation of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration, declaring that his leadership has engineered a decisive shift from institutional decay to tangible development across the state. The endorsement came in a press release made available recently and signed by the group’s Chief of Party, John Offiong NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
Speaking in his official capacity, Offiong stated that the Assembly had undertaken a deliberate and critical review of the governor’s performance since taking office. “Based on this assessment, we are satisfied with the outcome and deem it appropriate to commend the Governor of Cross River State for the remarkable turnaround we have witnessed in the governance of our state,” he said. The release highlighted observable progress in security, infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, and a resurgence of investor confidence as key indicators of this transformation.
The Assembly underscored that its support for the governor was rooted in a long-held commitment to equitable political representation. Offiong recalled the group’s advocacy prior to the 2023 elections, emphasizing a deliberate push for power to return to the Southern Senatorial District based on principles of fairness and zonal balance. “Today, we are convinced that this decision was the right one,” the statement read. “The emergence of Governor Bassey Edet Otu has clearly justified our position.”
The document detailed several administrative achievements, including extensive road projects and urban renewal efforts in the capital, Calabar; renewed momentum on the Bakassi Deep Seaport; the development of a modern state library; and the strategic acquisition of new aircrafts for the state-owned Cally Air. It also noted the constructive engagement of youths in agriculture and the symbolic construction of a new Governor’s Lodge in Ogoja as a step toward decentralizing governance.
Addressing public dissent on some government policies, Offiong conveyed the Assembly’s perspective that firm leadership is a prerequisite for meaningful change. “Tough decisions are often required to correct years of decline, and what matters most is that the outcomes are beginning to reflect positively in the lives of the people,” he affirmed.
The statement also praised the professionalism of the governor’s team, singling out the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, for his coordinating role in ensuring the administration remains focused on its mandate.
Concluding with an appeal for unity, Offiong, on behalf of the Assembly, called on all residents of Cross River State to sustain their support for the present administration. “Sustained public support will help consolidate ongoing reforms and deepen democratic governance in our state,” he said. The Assembly reaffirmed its own commitment to advocating for inclusive development and sustainable growth across all parts of Cross River State.
