About a week to December 25, 2024, Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State launched a free transportation scheme to ease movement, help alleviate the burden of high cost of transportation and cushion the effect of the economic hardship faced by residents during the Yuletide season and into the New Year.
The people of the state were said to be happy about the gesture coming from Governor Otu who has demonstrated unalloyed commitment and dedication towards the wellbeing of Cross Riverians since his assumption of office as Cross River helmsman. His administration has been that of a man of compassion and benevolence, determined to make life better for the people who freely and willingly voted him as their governor in 2023 to take charge of the affairs of the state.
As expressed by Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist, author and journalist, “True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain but also being moved to help relieve it.” In the words of Casandra Brené Brown, a research professor of social works in the United States, “Compassion is not a virtue—it is a commitment. It’s not something we have or don’t have—it’s something we choose to practice.”
Otu, in all the positions of authority he previously held even before becoming the Governor of Cross River State, is known to have always shown compassion in serving the people which is believed to be a vital component of effective leadership. He has consistently led with commitment and compassion, focusing on the human element of leadership, right from when he served as a parliamentarian in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2011, and in the Senate from 2011 to 2015.
Speaking in a media chat before the end of 2024 on the Season of Sweetness Free Transport Service launched by Otu, fondly referred to as Sweet Prince, his Special Adviser (SA) on General Duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, said the scheme was designed to benefit all Cross Riverians and visitors in the state for the Christmas and the just concluded Carnival Calabar events.
Noting that the governor’s gesture was also in fulfilment of his campaign promise to always embark on initiatives that are pro-people, Akiba who was made chairman of the Committee in charge of monitoring the free transport service scheme, remarked: “The Season of Sweetness Free Bus Service is a way of ensuring that many Cross Riverians feel the impact of the governor’s administration. The governor believes that giving the people such free transport services this season to cushion the effect of the economic hardship was of paramount importance.
“Cross Riverians are very much happy about this kind gesture of the governor. They are highly excited to see that the governor, a man well-known for his compassionate spirit, is showing great concern about the plight of the people. The people are delighted knowing that the free bus service is worth it, considering the high cost of transportation. They are indeed pleased with what the governor is doing generally to put smiles on the faces of Cross Riverians.
“The free bus service has lasted for about two weeks and still running into the new year. We have free buses in all the routes within the metropolis. For long distance we have Calabar to Ogoja, Calabar to Ikom, Calabar to Obudu, Calabar to Abi, Calabar to Ugep, Calabar to Yakurr and Calabar to Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas.”
Barrister Akiba revealed that “His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu is working hard towards overhauling the entire transport sector (air, water and land transport) and finding a permanent solution to the problem of transportation in Cross River State. Plans are underway to bring CROSSLINE, the state transport outfit, back to life to ease transportation in the state.”
He added that “Drivers in the state are equally happy and applauding the governor for his efforts in ensuring that potholes which are causing serious damages to their vehicles were repaired. They are happy that the governor has installed streetlights which have helped in reducing accidents at night. The governor is working towards a coordinated ticketing system to control multiple taxations and operations of the drivers. So, the transport sector will witness total transformation.”
The President of the Female Commercial Drivers Association of Cross River State, Philomina Asibe, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to Governor Otu for considering the plight of Cross Riverians and making provision for free transport service to assuage their burden.
In a video posted on the website of Crossriverwatch, a media outfit based in Cross River, Asibe equally thanked the governor’s wife, Bishop Enyoawan Otu, for the huge support she has been giving to women in line with the vision and agenda of her husband. The Cross River First Lady has played a remarkable role in supporting her husband to actualize his people-first agenda through her Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative (HUWIB), where the empowerment of women, children, the aged and disabled persons have been of utmost concern to her.
Asibe, the leader of the female commercial drivers in the said video, revealed that the first lady in a display of her commitment to women empowerment in the state, gave N1m each to 9 female commercial drivers, to encourage them for performing excellently at a training programme said to have been organised by the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Calabar.
Her words: “I want to appreciate His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for this wonderful gesture he has given to Cross River State, for providing a season of sweetness for Cross River State, free transportation for all Cross Riverians. Those travelling to other local governments and those within the metropolis.
“I also want to say a big thank-you to the wife, Her Excellency, Pastor Enyoawan. You have been a mother. Thank you for the support, for supporting women and encouraging nine of the female commercial drivers with the sum of one million naira each. I only want to say may God bless you in Jesus name.
“I really want to appreciate His Excellency for bringing sweetness into Cross River State. Since your arrival into Cross River State as the governor, everything has changed. We say may God almighty bless you. And for putting women into the transportation system, and making women part of whatever that is happening in Cross River State, I say the almighty Lord bless you.”
Recently, a significant milestone was achieved in the 365km Calabar – Obudu Rail Line project estimated to cost $350m, whose ground-breaking was performed last year by Governor Otu, with the presentation of the topographical mapping for the first 104 km, the Calabar-Ugep route. The rail line, which will have two main terminals in Calabar and at Obudu with three sub-stations in Ugep, Ikom, and Ogoja, opening the way for new opportunities, job creation and sustainable development, is driven by Rinehooke Investment Ltd in partnership with Cross River government.
The Founding Partner/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rinehook Investment Ltd, Nelson Elemi, in a statement maintained that “The Grand Litora Railway represents a bold vision for the future of Cross River State and Nigeria at large. By linking major towns and cities in Cross River, this railway will not only enhance mobility and stimulate trade but also open up our state’s unparalleled tourism potential to the world. From the vibrant Tinapa Free Trade Zone to Obudu, home to the serene ranch and mountain resort, this project will make Cross River a premier destination for both domestic and international visitors. We are proud to partner with the state government on this transformative journey and remain committed to ensuring its success.”
In a recent interview with newsmen, the governor, while making comments about the Grand Litora Railway project, said: “Mobility is a challenge to the people of Cross River State, especially given the deplorable state of federal roads. That is why the idea of a rail line to link the north to the state capital was a welcome one. We have studied the feasibility and the company investing in the railway project has just completed the survey and resumption of payment of compensation would commence soon. The moment they are done with that, I believe that they would move to the next level. The survey was very important in order for them to note the tracks. But before that, we will have a meeting with stakeholders, following which we would commence work. Everything is moving according to plans.”
Otu is working tirelessly working round the clock to transform the various sectors in the state for Cross Riverians to continue to enjoy the Season of Sweetness under his People-First administration whose major priority is how to improve the wellbeing of the people and make life bearable for them. Long abandoned and impassable roads are being repaired and constructed to enhance accessibility and connectivity. The Sweet Prince has also made commendable efforts and recorded impressive achievements in the areas of health, agriculture, security, tourism and education. He has taken manifold laudable steps and initiated numerous programmes aimed at advancing the state’s economy, reducing poverty and fostering development.
The governor, recognising the economic difficulty facing the people, at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, reportedly approved the memo presented by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, for the continued implementation of “Exemption of all students of Cross River State origin in Public Secondary Schools in the State from the payment of the Senior Secondary School Examination fees conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
“Following the consideration by His Excellency, Governor Apostle (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu and the State Executive Council, approval has been graciously granted for the release of N399,708,000.00 to register 14, 804 candidates of Cross River State origin for the 2025 WAEC Examination at a cost of N27,000.00 per candidate.
“The Governor and the State Executive Council are highly commended for their magnanimous decision to provide free WAEC registration for indigenous students. Notably, in 2024, His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State sponsored the registration of 16,301 candidates of Cross River origin for the 2024 WAEC Examination, totaling N440,127,000.00.”
By MICHAEL JEGEDE
