By: Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Cross River State Government has denied spending N1.6 Billion Naira for the renovation of the Governor’s Office, and lodge between April, and mid June 2024.
The denial is coming, following a report by Sahara Reporters, an online news medium, which had alleged that the Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, had allegedly spent 1.6 Billion Naira for the renovation of his office, as well as private residence between April and Mid June.
According to Sahara Reporters,the expenditures took place in the second quarter of the year (between April and June, 2024).
It also alleged that While the government budgeted the sum of N1billion to renovate the Governor’s offices, as of the Q2, 2024, it already spent N1.1billion for same purposes.
Another sum of N 500 Million Sahara notes was earmarked as spent for the renovation of the governor’s lodge.
In a Press Statement issued on Sunday by Nsa Gill, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor titled “Re: “Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu Spends N1.6 billion on Renovation Of His Office, Lodge Between April, June Amid Hardship”, Nsa Gill noted that “the Governor is still residing from his private residence while both the official lodge and the office are still under renovation”.
The Governor spokesman said that Journalistic ethics condemn subjective reportage that aims to influence readers rather than allowing them to form their own judgments.
Nsa Gill argued that the referenced quarterly report comprises over 300 pages of various items and subheads, and wondered why Sahara Reporters singled out the subhead on the renovation of the Governor’s office and residence, which he termed “cheap blackmail.”
He stated that any subjective report, is a ” foment hatred” against the Otu’s administration which he noted is committed to restoring, rebuilding, and ensuring economic progress for the people of Cross River State.
He said The Cross River State government has become aware of a partial and subjective analysis of the official quarterly budget performance report of the State published by Sahara Reporters. A recognized online medium.
“Journalistic ethics condemn subjective reportage that aims to influence readers rather than allowing them to form their own judgments. Normally, we would have disregarded the report because it
was a figment of the writer’s opinion which shouldn’t border us
“However it is proper to set our records straight when wrongly presented.
In line our quarterly budget performance report, we take pride in running a transparent administration where business transactions of government is published for public consumption.
“We are against biased reporting that distorts facts and against the good intentions of the government and capable of inciting public violence.”.
He added that Cross River State is still recovering from the violence and destruction orchestrated by the #ENDSARs incident of 2020.
“Legacies properties such as the Tinapa Business Resort, the foremost Nigerian Chronicles newspaper building, Ministry of Works building, former Primary HealthCare Development Agencies office, FADAMA project structure under ministry of Agriculture along Airport road, the state owned Calabar Garment Factory, the Unical Hotel building, and the WAEC zonal headquarters building, as well as assets of top politicians in the State were all lost during the 2020 #ENDSARs violent protests.
“We perceive any subjective report at this time as one to undermine the government of His Excellency Senator Bassey Edet Otu and as an attempt to foment hatred against the administration that is committed to restoring, rebuilding, and ensuring economic progress for the people of our dear state.
“We recognize the prevailing hardship in the land, which is not unique to Cross River State or Nigeria but a global economic reality where the cost of items, including food, is high.
According to the referenced news report, “we submit that the amount quoted as being spent is not wrongful or irresponsible.
“Besides , till date the Governor is still residing from his private residence while both the official lodge and the office are under renovation.
“The referenced quarterly report comprises over 300 pages of various items and subheads, one wonders why they singled out the subhead on the renovation of the Governor’s office and residence, if not for cheap blackmail.
“The project mentioned is an ongoing holistic renovation which started in 2023, and the contractors are paid in phases after due evaluations. The last major renovation of the governor’s office and lodge in Cross River State was done about twenty years ago.
“Since Governor Bassey Otu assumed office on May 29th, 2023, he has been operating from a temporary office; one of the old government lodges, while the renovation of the office is ongoing.
“We want to assure the public that Governor Bassey Otu is not oblivious to the present economic situation. Aside from temporary interventions using palliative measures, including provision of food and none food items to vulnerable households, provision of conditional cash transfer, distribution of farm inputs and only recently residents in some riverine communities were empowered with fishing boats and cash backing; all these government policies and programs are aim to provide succour to the youths, women and the vulnerables. Empower farmers and residents to focus on agriculture, which remains our natural endowment. Crops value chains such as Cocoa, Rice, Cassava, and Maize are being developed.
“The Government has not neglected its educational, health, infrastructure, and civil service sectors.”- it reads in part.
