Cross River Showcases Three Years of Achievements at Abuja Town Hall as Otu Marks Third Anniversary in Office
Oru Leonard
ABUJA, May 30, 2026 — The Cross River State Government on Friday convened a high-profile Town Hall Meeting in Abuja to commemorate the third anniversary of Governor Bassey Otu’s administration, using the occasion to present a comprehensive scorecard of achievements across key sectors and engage stakeholders on the state’s development trajectory.
Held at the prestigious Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, the event attracted government officials, investors, development partners, members of the diplomatic and business communities, as well as Cross River indigenes resident in the Federal Capital Territory. The gathering served as both a celebration of milestones recorded under the administration and a strategic platform to showcase investment opportunities within the state.
The town hall, approved by Governor Otu as part of activities marking three years of his administration, featured presentations from commissioners overseeing critical sectors of governance, providing detailed accounts of projects, reforms, and interventions implemented since the administration assumed office in May 2023.
In his opening Remarks Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, said the Abuja Town Hall Meeting was organized to showcase Cross River State’s achievements under Governor Bassey Otu’s administration to a broader national audience. He noted that the event provided an opportunity to engage investors, policymakers, development partners, and business leaders while highlighting progress across key sectors.
Delivering an overarching review of government performance, the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke, highlighted achievements recorded by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), stressing that the administration had remained focused on delivering people-oriented projects despite prevailing national economic challenges.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Pius Edet Ankpo, presented updates on road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, emphasizing efforts to improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities, and enhance access to rural communities. In the education sector, the Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, outlined initiatives aimed at improving learning outcomes, upgrading educational facilities, and strengthening teacher development programmes.
Fiscal reforms and revenue generation efforts formed the focus of the presentation by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Mike Odere who detailed measures undertaken to improve financial management, boost internally generated revenue, and ensure prudent utilization of public resources.
Agriculture and food security featured prominently during the session, with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Services, Mr. Johnson Ebekpo highlighting programmes designed to support farmers, improve productivity, and attract investment into the agricultural value chain. The Commissioner for Transportation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, also outlined initiatives targeted at modernizing transport infrastructure and enhancing mobility within the state.
The Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams provided insights into efforts to expand access to electricity, particularly in underserved communities, while also promoting renewable energy solutions as part of the state’s broader sustainability agenda.
In the health sector, presentations made by Dr Egbe Ayuk focused on improvements in healthcare delivery, facility upgrades, disease prevention programmes, and efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Hon Patrick Egbede, highlighted initiatives aimed at job creation, entrepreneurship development, and youth empowerment, while the Commissioner for Women Affairs. Hon. Edema Irom, showcased programmes promoting gender inclusion, economic empowerment, and protection of vulnerable groups.
The interactive nature of the town hall allowed participants to engage directly with government officials, ask questions, and offer suggestions on areas requiring further attention. Investors and development partners also used the platform to explore opportunities for collaboration with the state government.
Moving the conversation to the Federal Capital Territory enabled the administration to showcase its achievements before a larger audience that included investors, government officials, development agencies, and captains of industry.
