N1.6bn Governor’s Office Renovation Controversy: We Did No Wrong, Open For Scrutiny, Says Cross River State Govt

By Stanley Ekpenyong, South South Bureau Chief

The alleged N1.6bn spent by the Cross River state government to renovate the Governor’s Office  has been described as neither “wrongful nor irresponsible”

An online portal had stirred controversy recently with a report alleging the state government has so far spent 1.6bn to renovate the dilapidated Office of the Governor situated at Diamond Road, opposite the historical Hope Waddel Training Institute, Calabar.

Upon assumption of office May 29 last year, Governor Bassey Otu relocated to a temporary office at the nearby Governor Lodge to enable renovation work commence at the Governor’s Office, which the magazine gathered was last renovated over 20 years ago.

Critics, according to the Online portal, are accusing the Governor of insensitivity for spending such a humongous amount spent on office renovation at a time Nigerians are hungry and angry.

However, reacting to the issue, the Governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, faulted the report, describing it as subjective and the figment of the imagination of the writer.

In a statement in Calabar signed by Nsa, the government said the Otu administration has its foundation in

transparency and openness and accountability and therefore has nothing to hide.

It further, disclosed that, the Governor has put in place a number of empowerment programs and socio-economic polices that aim to empower the people economically to cushion the effect of the current economic challenges, cautioning against fictitious and subjective reportage of activities of government whic is capable of inflaming violence.

It maintained that Governor Otu came to office on the mantra of People First Agenda and has remained true to that policy through accountability and prudent management of funds.

“The administration of Governor Bassey Otu values transparency and prudence. The government is committed to providing quality services to our people and ensuring value for every kobo released.

“All revenue and expenditure of the Government are publicly reported for transparency and accountability through the publication of the Budget Implementation Report every quarter” the statement said.

The statement further frowned at the report as capable inciting the people against the government and precipitating the Endsar like conflagration in the state in which many legacy assets of government as well as those of privstr individuals were destroyed.

“In line with 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”

The said sum allegedly being spent, the government argued, “is not wrongful or irresponsible”

According to the government, the referenced quarterly report comprises over 300 pages of various items and subheads, “one therefore, wonders why only the subhead on the renovation  of the Governor’s office and residence was singled out, 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 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 aim at providing  succour to the youths, women and the vulnerables.

“A lot is being done to ensure food security and availability, the state government in collaboration with the federal government are taking proactive steps through investment in sustainable agricultural practices, supporting smallholder farmers, strengthening crops value chains and improving post harvest handling and storage systems that will provide opportunities  and guarantee food sufficiency”, the statement added.