By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has approved a fresh round of appointments into various government agencies, boards, commissions, and advisory positions as part of efforts believed to strengthen governance and accelerate development across the state.
The appointments, announced in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Linus Obogo, are also believe at strengthening the machinery of government and advancing excellence, innovation, efficiency, and sustainable development in line with the administration’s policy objectives.
Among the newly appointed Special Advisers are Obi Ayuk (Tourism and Culture), Hon. John Ewa (Cocoa/Sugar Cane Value Chain), Hon. Effiom Otu (Environment), Paul Ndip (Cocoa Produce), Mrs. Ann Essessien (Payroll), Isaac Imoke (Anti-Smuggling and Illegal Migration), Lebo Lebo Edu (Reforestation and Ecosystem), Hon. Wogoh Umar (Carnival), Hon. Wilson Ekpenyong (Political South), Mr. Canice Aniah (Political North), Obol Nnana Arikpo (Political Central), Hon. Saviour Nyong (Export Promotion/Cassava Value Chain), and Mrs. Uboh Ekpenyong Nsa, who has been correctly designated as Special Adviser on Immigration Matters.
The governor also approved for appointments into the Cassava Value Chain Committee, the Cross River Agricultural Input Supply Agency, Rural Development Agency, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSA), Cross River State Agric and Loan Board, Lottery Commission, Agency for Industrial Development, and the State AIDS Control Agency.
The appointees include Hon. Ene Cobham as Director-General of the Cross River Agricultural Input Supply Agency, Hon. Agbor Bassey as Director-General of the Rural Development Agency, Ndifon Etok Ojogu as Director-General of RUWATSA, Mr. Tony Ikpeme as Chairman of the Cross River State Agric and Loan Board, Engr. Raymond Nnandi as Director-General of the Cross River State Agency for Industrial Development, and Dr. Uffiah Okpan, who has now been redesignated as Director-General of the Cross River State Drug Management Agency.
Otu further approved appointments into several boards and agencies, including the Consumer Protection Agency, Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Road Maintenance Agency, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hydrocarbon Agency, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Department, and the Investment Promotion Commission.
Other appointments announced include senior and special assistants covering portfolios such as Women Advocacy, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Livestock Development, Callywood, Community Engagement, Sports, Stakeholder Engagement, Public Affairs, Immigration Matters, Local Government Matters, Youth Development, and Market Women Coordination.
Meanwhile, in correcting the errors in the appointment list, the Government issued a corrigendum to clarify some names and designations wrongly listed.
According to the statement signed by Mr. Linus Obogo, the name “Prince Dan Onah” was inadvertently included in the appointment list and was not the intended beneficiary of the appointment. The correct appointee is said to be Mr. Denis Wogor Otuji.
Dr. Ufiah Okpan is redesignated as Director-General, Cross River State Drug Management Agency, and not Director-General, AIDS Control, as was previously announced.
Similarly, Mrs. Uboh Ekpenyong Nsa was erroneously designated as Special Adviser, Coordination. Her correct designation is said to be Special Adviser, Immigration matters.
The government expressed regret over the mix-ups and any inconvenience they may have caused, reaffirming its commitment to accuracy and transparency in official communications.
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