The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has approved a total of ₦1.96 billion as car grants for the state’s 196 ward councillors.
Under the arrangement, each councillor is expected to receive ₦10 million to acquire a vehicle. The payment is reportedly scheduled to be disbursed within the week, with assurances that no deductions will be made from the beneficiaries’ earnings.
According to Andrea Ekeng Inyang, a former Special Assistant on New Media to the governor and APC candidate for Bakassi State Constituency, the approval marks what he described as an unprecedented gesture in the state’s local government history, noting that councillors will receive the funds without any salary deductions.
He added that the governor ensured the decision was made without compulsory terms, allowing the councillors to choose their preferred option regarding the car grant.
The development was also confirmed by the Deputy Press Secretary to the Governor, Darlington Edem, who clarified that the ₦10 million package was not imposed by the governor but selected by the councillors themselves from options presented.
Edem further explained that unlike previous arrangements where such benefits are often tied to salary deductions, this approval ensures that the full amount will be paid directly without any reduction.