By Bassey Ita
All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Cross River state, Mr. Odey Ochicha has lamented the slow pace development and growth of the state under the current democratic dispensation stating that the APC administration waiting in the wings is on a mission to rescue the state from the brink.
He was speaking to journalists at the party secretariat along Barracks by Marian Road, Calabar as part of activities of the ongoing party campaigns in the state.
Mr.Ochicha who was accompanied by his running mate in the April 11 governorship polls, Mr. Sylvester Nsa, noted that ‘’Cross River state has sunken so low in many indices of development that it needs a salvage brigade to take her back on feet again.’’
He said; ‘’let those who are on the highways and the byways know that a man who is on a rescue mission for Cross River state has arrived; ready to take on the job.’’
According to the APC chieftain, ’’Cross River state is broke and heavily indebted; our dear state is the third most indebted state in the federation…already the state is experiencing difficulties in paying workers’ monthly salaries. The situation is likely to get worse in the coming days in the light of the continuing slide in crude oil prices.’’
He however assured that if voted into office ,his administration will design a four cardinal program for the economic emancipation of the state which include agriculture, with focus on cultivation, processing and aggressive marketing of four cash crops of Cocoa, Oil Palm and Cassava.
He said tourism and manufacturing will be developed as a boost to agricultural development for optimal performance of the economy while Education, Healthcare delivery and Infrastructure will also be cardinal to the development index of the state by his administration.
Mr.Ochicha lamented the concessioning of some of the state owned medical facilities to businessmen stating that it makes it difficult for the citizenry to afford and access basic healthcare.
On infrastructure, he assured his administration will build world class facilities including roads, bridges, water supply and electricity among others that will give the state a face lift.
He urged Cross Riverians to come out en masse and vote for the APC during the March 28 and April 11 polls explaining that ‘’the era when a cabal used to hold a conclave to decide who will get what in the state is gone.’’
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