CROSSJOF Scorecard: Hon Akpanke Host Members, Task Journalists on Investigative reporting
Oru Leonard
The lawmaker representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke, has on Tuesday received in audience, members the Cross River State Journalists Forum in office.
During an interaction with CROSSJOF members which comprised mainly of the Executives, the Lawmaker discuss matters of interest ranging from his achievements and service to his constituency, governance, politics and socio- economics.
In the list of his achievements in the last two years, the House of Representatives member said that he has built and renovated schools, renovated health centers, installed solar lights, road construction are in progress but are delayed due to the rains. He urged journalists to go on fact findings as Investigations will reveal the situation on ground.
“Without education, you cannot be sitting here interviewing me. So, we need to educate our young people”, he emphasized.
He said that his policy thrust is not only education but the general wellbeing of his people.
On the need to attract tourists and investors to the state, he said that the Obudu Cattle Ranch was 80% completed
He added that when completed, the ranch will boost the economy of the state.
He also called on the state stakeholders to join hands with the governor to move Cross River state forward.
Akpanke decried the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon and the transfer of 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, saying the decisions have adversely affected Cross River State.
“Sincerely, we are a very small state struggling to survive. And then, from nowhere, they took our oil wells and ceded Bakassi to Cameroon.
He expressed support for efforts by Governor Bassey Otu and the National Assembly to seek redress.
“I support what the governor is doing to resolve the matter. I also support what the National Assembly is doing. The law cannot exist without exceptions, there must be mechanisms to resolve such issues,” he said.
He called for a judicial review of the matter, noting that the Supreme Court has, in the past, reversed itself on technical or constitutional grounds.
“So, the Hague should reconsider its decision and see how to help Cross River and Nigeria as a whole. We are very supportive of the Nigerian nation, we are patriotic, loyal, and committed Nigerians. We shouldn’t be punished for coming from a minority or from Cross River State,” he said.
On the political front, Akpanke appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a substantive minister from Cross River State, following the suspension of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
“When we came on board, the President was magnanimous to us, we had two substantive ministers: the Minister of Sports and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs”, he noted.
