By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Prominent Cross Riverians from various strata of society have continued to hail Governor Bassey Otu over Wednesday’s inauguration of the State Executive Council to set the tone for the full take-off of the administration with an avowed commitment to fixing the state through the evolution of humane policies in tandem with the people-first mantra of the present administration.
The latest amongst the list commending Governor Bassey Otu over the development is the Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Cross River Chapter, Apostle Trinity Ogar.
The clergy described the new Cross River Executive Council inaugurated by Governor Bassey Otu as a blend of young and experienced hands capable of driving the people-first mantra of the administration to a logical conclusion.
Dr. Ogar, who stated this during a telephone chat disclosed that “constituting a cabinet and modification of some ministries indicate a smooth take-off of an administration poised to deliver on its people -first mandate geared toward regaining the momentum of socio-economic development in the state.”
He called for the evolution of drastic measures and quick-fix policies and programmes needed to restore sanity in governance to regain the confidence of the people in the new administration.
Dr. Ogar, who is the Lead Pastor in the Goldcity Gospel Ministry International, Calabar, said “Constituting new cabinet members and creating new ministries showed that Governor Otu has a grasp of what the people want from the administration”
According to him“Otu has shown some signs of readiness to tackle the problems of the state headlong, but what is needed is quick-fix policies and programs to restore sanity in the system. We urge him to hit the ground running because the expectations of the people are very high since after May 29 inauguration.
“We are quite certain that the different commissioners with different portfolios should be ready and committed to discharging their duties with a high sense of responsibility. I would advise they focus on infrastructural development especially within the metropolis by fixing the road network now ridden with potholes Residents are expecting that multiple potholes in Calabar and the breakdown of commuting vehicles across the major street to be fixed immediately.
“Besides, even before he inaugurated the executive, relative work has been going on in the area of sanitation to clear the waste. But we expect more work in that area now that there are commissioners with various portfolios to improve upon service delivery.”
On the issue of insecurity, Ogar said: “It is high time the government beefed up internal security even though we believe that God watches over the city. God would give him the wisdom to put in place tight security measures for peace and tranquillity to reign in the state. Adequate security would give investors hope to come in and invest freely in the state. But once their security of lives and property is at the lowest ebb, investors would shy away from the state. The issues of kidnapping can pose a big threat, so he has to tackle it.”
On the role of the church in the new administration, the PFN boss said: “The church is not to play an antagonistic role to the government. We are admonished by the Holy Book to pray for our leaders and give them relevant counseling where necessary and that is where I stand with my fellow religious leaders in the state.
“We, therefore, call on all religious leaders and other faith-based organizations to pray effectively for the success of the governor and all others in the legislature and judiciary. If these three arms of government are guided by God, our destination would not crash but would rather end in good faith.”
