By Jonathan Ugbal, Government House Correspondent
The embargo placed on employment by the past administration of Cross River State may soon be lifted even as northern Cross Riverians may soon enjoy improvement in power supply.
Cross River’s governor Ben Ayade made this promises in his native Kakum village, Obudu local government area in a thanksgiving ceremony organized in his honor.
Speaking shortly after communion at the St. Theresa of the little Jesus parish, where the thanksgiving held, Ayade promised that “As I am going back to Calabar, I am going to announce the lifting of embargo on employment”.
This he said was premised on his belief of former governor Liyel Imoke’s words that “True government is a government that comes closer to the people”.
Furthermore, he elaborated on this saying “I have no business as governor earning over a million Naira when someone next door cannot earn 18,000. I will rather expand the horizon of government, create opportunities for more people to be absorbed. Let’s earn a little but everybody has food on the table”.
On the issue of long periods of blackouts, Ayade made a promise “If you have this Christmas in darkness and it extends to Easter, this is not me. How can people live in perpetual darkness in this world? What is the essence of been a governor when I come to my people everyday there is no light” he queried before continuing in his native Bette language “brethren let me tell you, I have begun, I have begun. Have you seen where a leadership opportunity has been given to a poor kid and he under performed or failed? A poor kid does not misuse opportunity to lead”.
The event was attended by friends, family, relatives business and political associates including the immediate past governor Liyel Imoke, his wife, Obioma Imoke and his Deputy, Efiok Cobham, the current Deputy Governor, Ivara Esu and his wife. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. John Gaul Lebo and a host of other Assembly members among others.