As Governor Bassey Otu marks three years in office, Cross River State has cause to reflect on a period defined by steady leadership, visible progress, and a renewed sense of direction. He assumed office at a time when the state was burdened by many abandoned and uncompleted projects, yet he chose not to dwell on the weight of the past. Instead, he set about reviving stalled initiatives and advancing a governance style that places the people at the center of development.
One of the clearest signs of this commitment is the transformation taking place in the state’s infrastructure landscape. Across the southern, central, and northern senatorial districts, more than 600 kilometres of roads have either been completed or are currently under construction. These roads are more than stretches of asphalt; they are vital links that connect communities, improve access to markets, schools, health facilities, and farmlands, and give value to the produce of rural dwellers. Among the most strategic of these projects is the Mfum-Okpoma-Okuku-Abuochiche road, which, when completed, will significantly shorten travel time from northern Cross River to Ebonyi and other eastern states. This is deliberate people-centered governance, designed to promote integration, commerce, and mobility.
Governor Otu’s achievements are not limited to infrastructure. His administration has also recorded notable progress in strengthening security across the state. There was a time when parts of Cross River were increasingly becoming a haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements, but that narrative is gradually changing. Today, many communities are experiencing greater peace and a renewed sense of safety. This improvement is no accident. It is the result of deliberate investment in the state’s security architecture and a firm resolve to protect lives and property.
The Governor’s impact is also evident in agriculture and enterprise development. By placing emphasis on agricultural expansion and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), his administration is helping to stimulate livelihoods, strengthen local productivity, and create opportunities for ordinary citizens, including retirees. These interventions are especially important in a state with vast agricultural potential and a hardworking population eager for support and expansion.
Education has equally received sustained attention under Governor Otu’s leadership. His efforts to reposition state-owned institutions, including facilitating the change of IMT Ugep into a Federal Polytechnic and upgrading College of Education, Akamkpa into a University of Education and Entrepreneurship, reflect an understanding that sustainable development must be rooted in human capital. The administration has also taken practical steps to support learners, including the payment of WAEC fees for over 16,000 SS3 students in Cross River within the last three years. This intervention, alongside other reforms, has helped reduce school dropout rates and improve participation in WAEC examinations.
Another notable expression of the Governor’s ‘people first’ approach is the recent groundbreaking for 1,000 housing units for civil servants in Akpabuyo. The project is a landmark initiative that underscores the administration’s concern for the welfare and dignity of the state workforce. It also reflects a practical understanding that governance must translate into better living conditions and real benefits for citizens.
With what Governor Otu has achieved in just three years, one can only imagine the scale of transformation Cross River State may witness over eight years under his leadership. The progress so far points to a governor whose administration is driven by vision, consistency, and a clear commitment to development that touches lives.
While the Governor may not have relied heavily on social media promotion, the work on the ground continues to speak for itself. Residents who now live in once-impassable streets such as Otomo, Etinyin Abasi, Ikono Street, and Nyangasang Community know the value of this change firsthand. The renewed value of properties in those areas and the relief of households that once endured poor access will ultimately translate into political goodwill in the years ahead.
Another major legacy of the Otu administration is the ongoing effort to restore potable water supply across Cross River State. The recent presentation of the agreement between the Cross River State Water Board Ltd and its technical partners, Agua Global Services Ltd, marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing challenge. The concession agreement, valued at $42 million and spanning 25 years, is expected to transform the water sector and restore the reticulation of water to homes across the state. For more than 11 years, the Water Board has not dispensed water, but this partnership now offers a new ray of hope.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated. It will enable the Cross River State Water Board Ltd to carry out its mandate of abstraction, storage, and distribution of potable water across the state, not just in Calabar. It also offers a solution to the unchecked proliferation of boreholes, which poses environmental risks to the ecosystem. In addition, the arrangement is expected to reposition the Water Board to begin water bottling and distribution, thereby creating a new source of revenue for the state.
Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, congratulated the partners for reaching this stage in the partnership, noting that the state had previously engaged another group that could not make any meaningful progress. He described the concession agreement as a bold step toward restoring the robust water supply system that had earlier been established with support from the World Bank. According to him, there are up to nine water stations across the state, and with this arrangement, Cross Riverians should once again be able to turn on their taps at any time of the day and have water.
He further observed that water is so essential to the people of Cross River State that many residents have resorted to self-help by drilling their own boreholes. He expressed confidence that beneficiaries of the project would gladly pay for the value they receive. The Deputy Governor also said he was optimistic that the technical partners would find the work manageable, given that much of the infrastructure is already in place, with only a few broken pipes in different locations requiring repair.
The Deputy Governor also commended the Managing Director of the Water Board Ltd, Chief Dr. Godwin Nyiam, for his resilience and expressed hope that within the next year or two, Cross Riverians will once again have access to potable water.
As Governor Bassey Otu begins his fourth year in office, the story that emerges is one of commitment, steadiness, and measurable progress. From roads to security, agriculture to education and housing, and water to economic recovery, his administration has laid a foundation that deserves recognition. The years ahead will demand even greater consolidation, but the journey so far has shown that purposeful leadership can indeed change the story of a people.
