By Dianabasi Effiong
Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu has called on traditional and opinion leaders of Yala local government area in the state to foster healthier communal ties, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness as his administration bids to explore the area’s huge agriculture potentialities and reposition it to its once reputed place as a food basket of the state.
The governor made the call, when he received a delegation from the Yala speaking people in Calabar.
Speaking of his administration’s commitment to returning the renowned Okuku market in Yala local government area to a thriving local commodity hub of international standard, Governor Otu assured the delegation that “we will open up roads for ease of transportation of goods from the interior communities to the urban areas and markets.”
“We want the cooperation of our traditional authorities to nib the avoidable records of communal clashes and other disputes in the bud,” the Governor sued.
He noted that the state was carrying out proper reforms to make sure that agriculture is well positioned as the mainstay of Cross River State economy.
He maintained that security and other structures that would entrench sanity in the area are being put in place.
The Governor promised to carefully look at requests made by the delegation with a view to uplifting the living standard of the Yala people, and expressed optimism that in the near future when the envisioned Okuku commodity market becomes a reality, the state government would definitely make areas like Okpoma and Okuku urban towns as the agricultural potentials of the area have all the trappings to make Yala an urban and commercial nerve center in the northern part of the state.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Ogamode Odabi Ipuole who represented the Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, said the Yala speaking people in Yala local government area were in the governor’s office to identify with him and show solidarity to his leadership.
“We have come here to assure Your Excellency that we will continue work with you, stand by you at all times and support you all through your tenure as the governor of Cross River state.”
He drew the attention of the governor to teething challenges bothering the area, which include lack of access roads linking the various communities, lack of portable drinking water and upgrade of the Okuku local food commodity market to international standard.
He also appealed for the creation of an irrigation dam in Yala to boost food production; exploration of the huge salt deposits in the area and establishment of a salt industry; expansion of the Okuku campus of the University of Cross River State to a full-fledged university.
Ipuole described the governor as “a beacon of hope, unity and peace,” and concluded his speech with a passionate plea for proper delineation of boundaries between communities, which he said, when done, would provide a lasting solution to crises plaguing the area and avert further destruction of lives and property.
Speaking in an interview later, a major stakeholder in Yala and towering politician in the state, Chief Higgins Peters, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and the governor’s assurances to address issues presented before him.
“Governor Otu’s response was exactly what the people of Yala have been waiting for and itching to hear. We are very happy that we met the governor today,” he concluded.
