Otu: Cross River Converts Garment Factory into Africa’s First Mosquito Net Manufacturing Facility, Secures $80m Contracts
Oru Leonard
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has disclosed that the state’s former garment factory has been transformed into what he described as Africa’s first mosquito net manufacturing facility after the original project failed to deliver the expected economic impact.
The governor made the revelation during an interview on Dialogue, hosted by media personality Diana Mary Nsan, while providing updates on key projects inherited from previous administrations.
Otu explained that upon assuming office, his administration discovered that huge public funds had already been invested in several unfinished projects across the state. Rather than embark on new legacy projects, he said the government chose to rehabilitate and complete existing investments to safeguard public resources.
According to the governor, responsible governance requires practical decisions that transcend politics, stressing that public assets should be preserved regardless of changes in administration.
He said his government reassessed its development priorities after evaluating the condition of inherited projects, beginning with the restoration of public office infrastructure before moving to revive major capital projects across the state.
Speaking on the former garment factory, Otu revealed that feasibility assessments showed the facility was contributing little to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment generation and industrial development.
Consequently, the government repurposed it into a mosquito net manufacturing facility, which he said is now fully completed and awaiting commissioning.
The governor disclosed that the factory has already secured contracts worth more than 80 million US dollars, describing it as a landmark industrial investment capable of boosting Cross River’s manufacturing sector and creating employment opportunities.
Providing updates on other infrastructure projects, Otu said construction of the Obudu Cargo Airport is at an advanced stage, expressing confidence that flight operations could begin before the end of the year.
He also announced that the Cally Farm project has been completed and is awaiting commissioning.
The governor’s remarks came in response to questions on the status of several projects inherited from previous administrations, including the Calachika project, cocoa processing facilities in Ikom, the cattle ranch, the Obudu Cargo Airport and other strategic investments.
Reaffirming his administration’s development philosophy, Otu stressed that protecting existing public investments while pursuing new initiatives remains a key pillar of his government’s agenda, adding that continuity in governance is essential for the sustainable development of Cross River State.
