The Acting Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung, formally received the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, PhD, and his entourage in Bekwarra.
The visit formed part of the Deputy Governor’s official tour of Cross River North, aimed at inspecting ongoing projects, interact with the people to identify pressing developmental needs, and to celebrate the annual New Yam Festival.
The event, held at the Civic Centre in Abouchiche (headquarters of Bekwarra LGA), was attended by distinguished dignitaries and stakeholders, including:
High Chief Peter Higgins, Natural Leader of Cross River North;
Chief Dr. Peter Ojie;
Chief Hon. Peter Akpanke, Members representing Bekwarra, Obudu, and Obanliku Federal Constituency,
Hon. Signor Omang Idiege, Ada Bekwarra II;
Chief Linus Ogbeche Odey, Paramount Ruler of Bekwarra. Others include:
Hon. Sylvester Agabi, Deputy Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly;
Hon. Barr. Charles Omang, Member representing Bekwarra State Constituency;
Hon. Thomas Aruku, Member representing Ogoja State Constituency;
Hon. Dr. Martin Achadu, Member representing Yala II State Constituency;
Dr. Mike Odere, Commissioner for Finance;
Chief Godwin Iyala, Director-General, CRSHIA;
Engr. Emmanuel Nkpeh, Special Adviser to the Governor on Power; among others.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Egbung Odama described the Deputy Governor’s visit on the first day of a new month as a “good omen” for the people of Bekwarra, especially during the harvest and New Yam festivities. He commended the Deputy Governor for his role in fostering peace and stability during recent political tensions in the local government.
The Acting Chairman highlighted the acute shortage of infrastructures in Bekwarra and gave a brief insight into the various remediation effort made to restore dilapidating facilities in his few months in office as the acting chairman. These included the rehabilitation of the Education Authority Block, previously uninhabitable, and the Legislative Complex, which had been on the verge of collapse but is now restored for use.
Hon. Egbung further raised concerns about:
The Abuochiche Junction along the Ogoja–Katsina Ala Highway, describing it as a death trap that urgently requires government intervention;
The revival of Bekwarra Council Concord Transport Line to boost trade and connectivity;
The resuscitation of the Bekwarra Brick Factory to create employment and provide affordable building materials;
The limited recruitment slots allotted to Bekwarra during the recent civil service exercise, which he urged the government to review for equity.
He also passionately appealed for Bekwarra’s inclusion in the next phase of the state’s urbanization programme.
Other speakers echoed these concerns. Hon. Barr. Charles Omang criticized irregularities in the recent recruitment exercise and called on the government to reclaim the Bekwarra General Hospital, originally established under Governor Liyel Imoke but currently in private hands without formal authorization.
The spokesperson for the youths, Comrade Adie Bartholomew stressed the need for urbanization, noting that Bekwarra, as the northern gateway into Cross River State, should reflect the “Paradise” identity of the state. He recommended the complete reconstruction of the Gakem–Ijibor Highway with functional streetlights.
Hon. Signor Omang Idiege in his address welcomed his excellency and his entourage and updated the Deputy Governor on the status of the electricity restoration project, confirming replacement of damaged poles and transformers, while requesting further extensions to underserved communities. He called on the Special Adviser on power, Engr. Emmanuel Nkpeh, to outline broader technical challenges and solutions for electricity supply in the senatorial district.
The Deputy Governor in his remarks commended the people of Bekwarra for their hospitality and organizational excellence, describing it as the most outstanding reception of his tour so far. He assured the community of government’s commitment to infrastructural development, referencing the Ogoja–Bekwarra Highway, which had recently been restored, and reaffirmed efforts to fully stabilize electricity across Cross River North.
He further announced that the state government will soon commence the construction of the Ukpah–Afrike Road and the Abuochiche–Bewo–Akwurinyi Road to ease transportation challenges.
In the spirit of the festival, the Deputy Governor donated ₦20 million towards the 2025 New Yam Celebration and an additional ₦2 million to support the Progressive Youths Movement. He urged the people of Bekwarra to continue to support the People’s First Government under His Excellency, Apostle Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for a greater experience of sweetness in this season of sweetness
