Cross River state Governor, Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has tasked leaders, traditional Rulers to promote peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness.
The governor gave the charge when he received a delegation from Yala LGA, led by their Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, in Calabar.
Otu also told the monarchs and opinion leaders that his administration bids to explore the area’s huge agricultural potentials.
In addition, he said his administration gears towards reposition the state to once reputed place as the food basket of Nigeria.
Moreso, Governor Otu assured the delegation that his administration will return the renowned Okuku market in Yala LGA, to a thriving local commodity hub of international standard.
Therefore, he said “we will open up roads for transportation of goods from interior communities to urban areas and markets.”
“We want cooperation of our leaders and traditional authorities to nib avoidable records of communal clashes in the bud,”Otu demanded.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Nsa Gill, made this known in a social media post on Monday April 15, 2024.
He further announced security and other structures put in place to entrench sanity in the area.
The Governor promised to carefully look at requests made by the delegation.
Meanwhile, has promised to make Yala an urban and commercial nerve center in the northern part of the state.
The Paramount Ruler of Yala Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, said the Yala speaking people visited governor’s office to identify with him and show solidarity in his leadership.
Truth Live News learned that Ogamode Odaji Ipuole, represented Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole.
He assured Governor Otu of their commitment to work with him, stand by him and support him through his tenure
The monarch drew the attention of the governor to teething challenges bothering the area.
For instance, some of the challenges include: lack of access roads linking the various communities, lack of portable drinking water, upgrade of the Okuku local food commodity market to international standard.
He also appealed for the creation of an irrigation dam in Yala to boost food production.
Furthermore, he called for exploration of salt deposits in the area and establishment of a salt industry.
Other demands include expansion of the Okuku campus of the University of Cross River State to a full-fledged university.
Also, the monarch, has called for proper delineation of boundaries between communities in the LGA.
He said, once that is done, it would provide lasting solution to crises, avert further destruction of lives and property.
Chief Higgins Peters, also expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting.
He said Governor Otu’s response was exactly what the people of Yala have been waiting for.
The Stakeholder and politician said, that was what they have been itching to hear.
“We are very happy that we met the governor today,” he concluded.