The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Senator John Owan Enoh, has stated that he will seek for a Special Status for Calabar when elected into office as governor in 2019.
“Calabar had once served as a headquarters of this nation and with other facts as Lagos State has, Cross River State also has compelling facts to have Calabar given a special development status by the federal government,” Senator Owan Enoh said.
Speaking in Calabar while unveiling his “Economic Development Master-plan 2019 to 2023 for Cross River State” during an inter-denominational Solemn Assembly organized by the APC, to formally dedicate and herald the flag-off of its state-wide campaigns for the 2019 elections, he said the EDM is anchored on the vision of “making Cross River State the preferred investment destination in West Africa.”
He said, “Calabar City has rich historical, geographical and economic significance. Our government shall make a compelling case to the federal government to confer a Special Status on Calabar, which should translate to the federal government’s deliberate investments in Calabar infrastructure and to free up state funds for investment in infrastructure.”
His four-point agenda, he said, was anchored on the industrialization of the state, underpinned by a secure environment, critical infrastructure and efficient human capital.
Senator Owan Enoh took time to break down the strategic objectives of his master-plan and also listed the variables that would facilitate the execution of the EDM, which he called “enablers” during the 30-minute presentation before a crowd of party members and supporters that attended the Solemn Assembly.
The enablers for the EDM, according to him will include collaborations with the Federal Government, development partners, research organisations, organised private sector, local government and Civil Service reforms, prudent financial management and budget alignment.
Other enablers are “Privatisation, Power, Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau and One-Stop-Shop.”
He said that under the current administration in the state, most of the good standards and developments that made the state a reference point in good governance have been eroded, and reiterated his commitment to deliver on a promise based on his track record.
