Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has pledged another round of gratuity payments before December, as elders in the state endorsed his bid for a second term in office.
Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State
…Assures retirees of progressive clearance of outstanding benefits
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has announced plans to release another tranche of gratuity to retired civil servants in the state before December.
Otu disclosed this on Thursday in Calabar when the Cross River State Elders Forum, led by its chairman, retired Col. Pam Ogar, paid him a courtesy visit at the State Executive Council Chamber.
The governor said his administration remained sensitive to the plight of retirees and was committed to progressively clearing the backlog of outstanding benefits owed them.
The announcement followed an appeal by the elders, who urged the government to intensify efforts to pay outstanding gratuities and harmonised pensions owed retired civil and public servants.
The forum lamented that many retirees continued to endure severe hardship as a result of unpaid benefits.
Otu assured the elders that the welfare of retirees remained a priority of his People First administration.
The elders also endorsed Otu for a second term, citing what they described as his administration’s achievements in governance, security, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development.
Presenting the forum’s address, Ogar, a former Military Administrator of Kwara State, said the endorsement was based on the administration’s performance since assuming office.
“The forum hereby expresses its confidence in your administration and accordingly, wholeheartedly encourages you to present yourself for a second term in office,” Ogar said.
He said a second term would enable the governor to consolidate the gains recorded by his administration and complete ongoing and inherited projects.
The elders commended Otu’s People First philosophy, the establishment of the Public Complaints Office and the upgrading of Schools of Nursing to Colleges of Nursing in Obudu, Ogoja, Itigidi and Calabar.
They also praised the administration’s interventions in security and agriculture.
The forum, however, urged the government to strengthen its security architecture to address the activities of cattle grazers and illegal settlements in Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom and Obubra.
Otu thanked the elders for their endorsement and counsel, describing them as a reservoir of wisdom that remained invaluable to state-building.
He pledged to sustain his administration’s efforts to reclaim Cross River’s oil wells for future generations.
Former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, was among the dignitaries who attended the meeting.
