By: Vitalis Ugoh,Calabar
Cross River state government has reassured its preparedness to open windows of opportunity for massive economic growth in the state.
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon Patrick Egbede, dropped this hint in Calabar when he received in audience Ogoja APC women in Politics in his office.
This is evident from the strategic policies of the Senator Otu’s administration.
Hon. Egbede said that the State government has activated its operational tentacles to navigate and profile the economy of the state with a view to injecting live into them through soft loans, MSMEs and other forms of encouragement.
The Commissioner said that at every planning stage, women are key in the drive taking cognizance of their resilience, hardwork and supportive roles in the viability of the economy of the state as manifested in the influx of women in all sectors.
He revealed that his office as mandated by the Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has aggressively commenced advocacy of major stakeholders across the nation to woo investors in all areas of human development adding that every potential and capacity in wealth creation would be taken into consideration.
The Commissioner advised the women to mobilize their folks irrespective of political inclinations to form themselves into cooperatives so as to effectively participate in the envisaged economic growth process.
According to him, the upcoming Calabar Carnival adjudged the largest street party in Africa is agoged with several windows of opportunities for creating wealth and urged business men and women to key into the project.
Reacting to the complaints of the low level of patronage of Ogoja women in the present administration through appointments, the Commissioner told the women to continue to exercise patience as the Governor remains undoubted in his desire to carry everyone along in his administration.
He further pointed out that the Governor was fully aware of the roles the women of Ogoja played in the success story of his election.
Egbede stated that the rays of sweetness emanating from the Governor has overwhelmed his office and disposing him to the ‘The People First’ mantra which includes being sensitive to the plight of the people.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Ogaja APC Women In Politics, Hon Torita said that the visit was a show of solidarity and encouragement to Hon. Egbede for his elevation to the rank of Commissioner.
The woman leader eulogized Hon Patrick Egbede for his track record of uprightness, accessibility, resilience, generousity and doggedness for justice and peace.
She expressed optimism that he would Excel in the new portfolio promising unbridled support from the women.
She used the opportunity to appeal to the Commissioner to impress it upon the Governor to consider women of Ogoja for political appointments so as to give a greater sense of belonging.
Also speaking,a member of the Women Association,Associate Professor, Margret Opiah said that were in tandem with the policies and programs of Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s development agenda and would continue to support with all amount of zeal.
