The newly sworn-in Governor of Cross River State Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has warned criminals that his administration shall have zero tolerance for criminality in whatever form or shade.
This was contained in the speech delivered by the governor at the U.J Esuene Stadium shortly after being sworn-in by the state Chief judge, Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme in Calabar.
Gov. Otu who reiterated that he joined politics to provide service to humanity and nothing more, said “for the few who take pride in criminality, there shall be no hiding place”
He said only two options are on the table, that either they turn a new leaf within his upcoming amnesty window or vacate Cross River State without delay.
Otu, went on to salute Sen Ben Ayade for upholding the principle of fairness, equity and justice, by doing all within his powers to ensure that he emerged the governor of the state from the South.
He said as the flag of partisanship is now lowered and the beautiful blue and white colours of the State are hoisted,his government will bear no insignia of discrimination in belief, origin or gender.
“Women and men, young and old, educated and non-educated will be carried along and treated as equal before the law.”
In what the Governor described as ‘Our People-First Agenda’ he said his administration will give the state an immediate facelift through critical infrastructural repairs, clearing of waterways, trimming of overgrown trees, repainting and refuse evacuation.
According to him, his administration will engage the Labour Union in the area of depleting civil service, given that over 75% of manpower will be retiring before December, 2024.
He said the worrisome narrative applies to backlog of staff promotion with corresponding severance burden in excess of N54 billion will also be given attention.
While he is commiting to a rewarding relationship for the next 4 years, he said Immediate attention will be given to the reward and operational systems in the Civil/Public Services.
“In the capacity of the incoming President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support our efforts of making our State a paradise from Marine, Aviation and Defence angles. The governor said, “we shall engage the Federal Government and international community to review obnoxious judgments against us with the aim of creating relief in the pains accruing to the loss of Bakassi and the ceding of our 76 Oil wells as well as streamline our boundaries to minimize communal crisis.”