From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has stated his administration’s commitment to work with lawmakers at both state and federal levels irrespective of political party affiliations for the betterment of their constituents.
Otu dropped the hint during a civic reception to mark the formal inauguration of the House of Representatives member for Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South federal constituency, Rt Hon Joseph Bassey, and held at the weekend in Akpabuyo, implored the lawmakers to build bridges on the floor of the House in order to attract basic projects needed to address the peculiar plight of the federal constituency.
The Governor, a former House of Representatives member and Senator Cross River South charged the Reps member to work assiduously towards tackling the glaring needs of his constituents in order to justify the mandate he has been entrusted with.
Otu, who noted that the popularity of the federal lawmaker showcases him as a”man of the people”, announced a personal donation of N5m in support of an educational assistance initiative by the lawmaker to 30 secondary and primary schools within the constituency.
Otu expressed dismay over the perennial break down of law and order in Akpabuyo resulting from rival cult clashes warning that further security threats to lives and property would be met with the stiff arms of the law
Speaking, the House of Representatives member, Rt Hon Joseph Bassey, expressed appreciation to the people for the massive support he got at the polls across the political party divide.
According to him, “the overwhelming support I got during the election reflects your trust and confidence in my ability to usher in federal government presence in our localities through projects capable of stimulating socio-economic development. By God’s grace, I won’t let you down.”‘
He condemned in strong terms the recent destruction of lives and property in Akpabuyo attributed to a supremacy battle between rival cult groups urging youths in the Akpabuyo “to give peace a chance in order to guarantee the development of the area.”
Rt Hon Bassey, who is a former Deputy Speaker in the Cross River 9th Assembly, announced a donation of a million for payment of NECO and Common Entrance Examination fees for indignant students selected from 30 public primary and secondary schools across the area stressing that “the gesture is intended to curtail school drop out while encouraging academic excellence used as a criterion in selecting beneficiaries”
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, House of Assembly members, APC bigwigs and some royal fathers.