Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade has disclosed that his two signature projects, the Bakassi deep seaport and the 275km superhighway is not important than putting food on the table of the ordinary citizens of the state.
Ayade said the welfare of the citizens is more important to him than his two signature projects, hence his administration expanded his government at the time of economic recession.
The governor promised to set aside N500 million as loan to assist Local Government workers who wish to go into farming and assured that his government would work with officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to facilitate access to the loan.
Ayade disclosed his focus on people’s welfare in Calabar after he was presented with the “Award of Excellent Performance in Governance,” by the national president of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel in his office.
The governor further explained that the loan was interest-free, and pointed out that workers at the grassroots level need loans to enhance the agricultural push of the state government, as well as, that with the gesture of government, the workers would find some comfort in the rural areas.
Ayade, who also gave the union N10 million for its magazine, “Grassroots Mirror” said local government workers were dear to him, hence his insistence that they should be paid ahead of other government workers.
“For those local government workers who want to go into farming, I have set aside N500 million as interest-free loan so as to ensure that your stay in the local government is not in vain. I will work with your union leaders to ensure that any serious person accesses the money,” the governor said.
Earlier, the national president of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel had told the governor that he was in the state to join his colleagues to appeal to the governor to contest the 2019 election, noting that the award that was presented to him was in view of his concern for the local government workers.
He said the national leadership of NULGE, “after a thorough investigation,” found that Ayade was “a promise keeper” and has been working to ensure that local government workers in the state were treated with respect.
MIKE ABANG, Calabar
