The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Hon. Signor Omang Idiege, has assured the Traditional Rulers and Elders Council of Gakem in Bekwarra Local Government Area of the determination of the state government to industrialise the area.
Idiege, who stated this during a visit of the Gakem Tradional Rulers and Elders Council to him at his country home in Bekwarra, revealed that the siting of a groundnut and vegetable oil factories in Gakem and Nyanya was part of the state government’s effort at commercialising the local government area.
He opined that the two industries nearing completion would open up avenues for employment in the area as well as revenue generation for the area and the state in general.
He also explained that the gesture was part of government’s plan towards increasing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and “decoupling the state from a civil service state to an area of high business conurbation”.
Speaking earlier, the two clan heads of Gakem Ward, Chief Philip Ugbada and Chief Opah Ushie took turns to appreciate Governor Ben Ayade, whom they described as a worthy grandson, for finding their son, Hon. Omang Idiege worthy to be appointed as a commissioner.
They pledged their unalloyed support and loyalty on behalf of their people to the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration to ensure they contribute their quota to the development of the state.
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
