Wofai Okoi Ewa, deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Cross River State, says an Eyo Ekpo led government in CRS, will never turn over N25, 000 as annual revenue from the very busy Watt Market in Calabar. This he maintained will not happen because the administration understands what simple and transparent budgeting means, and will not pluck figures from space but will simply show the state’s predictions of revenue and expenditure, “turn in budgets early enough to have proper and transparent deliberations and approval, so that we can have everyone view all line items in print and on virtual online platforms.”
Ewa made this submission when he appeared as guest on the www.calitown.com WhatsApp group discussion to further the ongoing discuss tagged, “The Cross River Narrative”. He insisted too that, “we will apply simple budgeting and Cross Riverians will know what we do. Barr. Eyo and I have corporate (private sector) experience which will be obvious in the way we EXECUTE our duties. Inflating budgets will be easily detected because everyone will be able to monitor expenditure and our books will be open for all to see.”
On how their administration will react to Agriculture, he came clear that “Agriculture is key to the development we will pursue. There is no secret that FG-funded Agricultural initiatives have been abused in recent times, and nothing has been seen of the massive funds released to states for such purposes. We intend that in our administration, Cross River State farmers will have a non-political access to these funds and improved seedlings. Our plans for Agriculture are tied to Manufacturing and Trade, and we know for sure that CRS can feed Southern Nigeria, with great prospects for export (Trade).”
Pressed to comment on tourism in the state, he said: “I would like to think that the Donald Duke administration (and to some extent, the Imoke-led administration) made positive financial gains via our Tourism and Hospitality investments. What we have failed to do is MAINTAIN the vision, considering the continuum nature of Governance. My last visit to the Obudu Ranch Resort about a year ago, was heart-breaking. My experience does not deserve to be written down, else future generations may never forgive the key players who helped destroy these heritage sites. I dare not pen my experience, please.”
When David Amama, from Abuja, Nigeria wanted to know if the SDP in the state can match the war chest of the PDP and APC in CRS, Ewa responded: “We will never match the APC and the PDP because you cannot kill and bribe people because you want to SERVE them. That would be madness. However, we do have the finances to pose a threat to the establishment, and we will combine our lean resources with our STRATEGY, which can never be matched by those two. Do not forget that the people are DESPERATELY in need of an ALTERNATIVE, that will bring hope to them and the unborn. At least our preliminary work proves that our people want something new and better, and that is what the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is offering. By the way, we will be needing your financial support and conscious efforts, to make this happen.”
At the end of the two hour online interaction, the SDP deputy governorship candidate appreciated “everyone who has made this possible, and especially wish to thank Iwara Iwara who is helping to revolutionalise the way Citizens get feedback from Leaders. We hope that this trend continues after our swearing-in, in combination with our proposed Town Halls and Broadcast services”, he wrote.
The www.calitown.com WhatsApp group discussion to further the ongoing discuss tagged, “The Cross River Narrative”, is the brainchild of the eggheads behind the news and views platform, dedicated to Cross River State news and views.
Bright young man. Hopefully, this corrupt system will not bring you to your knees.
Will be praying for you.