By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has lauded the strides made in the state’s asset recovery efforts, praising the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, for his outstanding diligence in reclaiming government properties.
Governor Otu gave the commendation during the 7th State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Calabar, where he described Agbor’s work as both courageous and impactful.
“You don’t need to look far to identify excellence,” Otu stated. “Barrister Agbor has shown a rare blend of tenacity, integrity, and a high sense of duty. His work has brought to light many assets that had either been abandoned or illicitly acquired. Kudos to him.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to the recovery of all state-owned assets, describing the initiative as a cornerstone of his broader governance strategy focused on transparency, accountability, and economic revitalization.
As part of efforts to sustain momentum, Governor Otu announced the immediate constitution of Asset Recovery Committees across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
The committees will be tasked with identifying, tracing, documenting, and reclaiming both movable and immovable public assets within their jurisdictions.
“This decentralized approach is designed to speed up recovery efforts while ensuring that no part of the state is excluded from reclaiming what rightly belongs to the people,” he noted.
He also acknowledged members of the public who have provided credible intelligence leading to successful recoveries, encouraging continued vigilance and civic participation in the protection of government property.
The governor’s asset recovery policy has earned commendations from policy analysts and civil society groups, who see the initiative as a critical corrective measure to years of systemic neglect and exploitation of public assets.
Barr. Agbor recently submitted a detailed report highlighting extensive encroachment on state-owned lands, including portions belonging to Government College Ikot Ansa and the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
The report also implicated some private actors and compromised officials in shady acquisitions.
With the forthcoming activation of LGA-level recovery teams, the Otu administration aims to scale up its drive to reclaim and secure public properties across the state, ensuring their long-term utility and value to citizens.
Governor Otu’s “People First” agenda continues to emphasize fiscal responsibility, institutional reforms, and sustainable management of state resources as key drivers of inclusive development in Cross River State.