By Our Correspondent
All Progressives Congress, APC governorship standard bearer in Cross River state, Mr. Odey Ochicha last weekend observed that it was a mockery to code name the state as ‘The Peoples’ Paradise’ when the living condition of the people and the state of infrastructure under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leadership were sick.
He specifically lamented the poor condition of service for the state workers as well as the high level of poverty which he said has affected the value system in the society.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the leadership of the Nigerian Labor Congress, NLC in the state, the APC guber hopeful noted that it was a caricature of the highest order to name the state the literary people’s paradise when workers welfare and the living condition of the citizenry are a direct contrast to what obtains in biblical paradise.
He said the delay in salary payment, poor service condition of the workers and the heightened poverty among the citizenry summarize the fact that the state needs serious revival to make it a true paradise for the people. Aside the people’s welfare, Ochicha said the comatose state of infrastructure in the state calls for some overhaul of the political economy.
He queried, ”have you ever seen a paradise without roads; where healthcare for the people is elusive, where education is in comatose and where poverty has become a collosus? ”Can you call a place paradise when the people, especially the workers cannot pick their bills owing to delay in salary payment? The answer is No!”
He said it was a mockery of the PDP to call the state the nation’s paradise when the experience is a direct contrast to the biblical paradise experience. He also said his experience in the course of his campaigns has revealed massive neglect of the people by the PDP led government adding that he has been able to do a thorough
assessment of the desires, needs and aspirations of the people.
He urged the NLC leadership to join the fray of persuading Cross Riverians to accept and identify with change explaining that the APC was out to enact the change that the people would be yearning for. Also speaking Ochicha’s running mate, Mr. Sylvester Nsa said the APC government if voted in will alleviate poverty through improved welfare for workers as well as create jobs to address the challenge of unemployment in the state.
Earlier, State Chairman of NLC, Comrade John Ushie said the APC candidates were the first to visit the NLC and assured that their message of change will be relayed to other members. Comrade Ushie said the state council of the union has set up contact committee in the various council areas to mobilize for any candidate of choice at the
coming polls.
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