Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has promised to draw gas pipeline supply to the state-owned 33- megawatts power plant in the northern Senatorial District of the state in six months.
Otu made the promise when he presented his administration’s reform strategies, actions and economic indices to diplomats, policy makers and investments drivers in Abuja.
His Chief Press Secretary Nsa Gill broke the news in a social media post on Tuesday April 17, 2024.
Gill said during an “Executive Governor’s Roundtable” summit, with the theme: “Building Cooperation for a Better Today and a Resilient Future.” the event was the first in a series of engagements planned by the State in Abuja.
Governor Otu, with a gut feeling of having made good decision said thus:
“We have completely keyed into the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aligning it with our administration’s People’s First Agenda.”
“We are negotiating with the federal government to take over the over 600 megawatts power plant located at Ikot Nyong in Odukpani LGA in the state.”
“We are capitalising on the recently signed Electricity Law to establish our energy efficiency for development.”
“Besides, there is a state-owned 33- megawatts power plant in the northern part of the state.”
Therefore, “in the next six months, the state will draw gas pipeline supply to the plant,” Governor Otu promised.
Also, he stated that they are committed to revolutionising the state agricultural sector.
For instance, he also revealed that they have recently completed the soil mapping of the entire state.
Therefore “potential investor in that area can operate with informed data on the soil type and arability for cultivation,” he concluded.
According to Gill, Otu also highlighted opportunities the has for cooperation.
He said they cut across sectors such as infrastructure; healthcare; education; social development and humanitarian services.
Others include agribusiness; commerce and industry; manufacturing; solid minerals; oil and gas; tourism; and hospitality.
Additionally, he announced his administration’s commitment to ensuring Energy and security achieve set targets.
Otu thereafter held a boardroom meetings with teams from Israel, Canada, India, Brazil, NEXIM Bank, UNIDO and USAID.
The meeting highlighted concrete terms of collaborations and partnerships.
Also, the summit featured presentation by Dr. Bong Duke, the Executive Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission.
While Dr. Francis Ntamu, the Director-General of Cross River State Bureau for Public Private Partnerships has his presentation on “PPP Opportunities: Framework and Institutional Arrangements.”
Meanwhile, Truth Live News learned that the Governor’s audience included the High Commissioner of Canada, James Christoff; and Belgium Embassy’s Ambassador Leenknegt.
Others included French Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Jean-Francois Hasperue; India High Commission, Mr G. Balasubramanian and Ambassador, State of Israel in Nigeria, Michael Freeman.
Also, Norwegian Embassy’s, Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Kristin Waeringsaase; development partners’ representatives as well as Federal and State Government functionaries attended the summit.