AfDB’s Adesina, Shettima to attend export processing zone groundbreaking — Cross River gov

Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has disclosed an impending visit of the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adeshina, to the state for the groundbreaking of a new Export Processing Economic Zone in the state.

Governor Otu, who disclosed this while addressing a crowd of supporters and government officials who trooped out to welcome him from his annual leave, added that Vice President Kashim Shettima, would also be in the state for the event, saying it would be “a transformative project that will redefine Cross River’s economy and open up new frontiers for jobs and investment.”

Otu, who said he was back with “renewed vigor and a double dose of energy” to accelerate the transformation of the state, reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on his administration’s development blueprint, stating that the short break had recharged him for even greater service.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. NSA Gill, said Otu addressed the people at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar and added that he was charged to deliver on his promises to the people of the state.

“We had a manifesto to deliver to our people, and to some extent, I believe that in this second year, we can already boast that some of those promises are coming to fruition,” the governor said.

Continuing, he said Governor Otu revealed that part of his time away was spent on a critical state assignment—inspecting and conducting due diligence on two aircraft acquired to ease the travel burden of air passengers in and out of Calabar. The process, he noted, was rigorous, involving over 200,000 pages of documentation and detailed physical inspections.

“We had to go through every bolt, every screw. It was painstaking but necessary to ensure safety and accountability,” Otu explained.

He disclosed that both aircraft are in the final stages of clearance and are expected to arrive in the state within a few weeks.

Governor Otu further assured that the solid foundation his administration had laid was beginning to yield results, saying “We have planted the seeds. Now we must nurture them to harvest.”

He also highlighted the arrival of major federal projects in the state, including the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone initiative and the long-anticipated flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The Governor described these as historic milestones that will fully integrate Cross River into the national economic grid.

“Cross River has long been projected as a major evacuation corridor.

“We are finally stepping into our rightful place in Nigeria’s economic structure,” he said.

The Governor emphasised that his administration is strengthening agricultural value chains to boost exports, food production, and economic inclusion.

Reassuring the people of inclusiveness, Governor Otu said, “There will be open doors for everyone to participate in this economic revival. The sky is the limit for Cross River.”

The Governor returned alongside his wife, Her Excellency Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, to a rousing welcome by government officials, traditional leaders, residents, and well-wishers at the airport.