Stakeholders from Akamkpa-Biase federal constituency wants a shot at chief executive office in 2023

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, stakeholders from Akamkpa/Biase in the coalition have resolved that the governorship slot in 2023 should not only be zoned to the Southern Senatorial District but further micro-zoned to Akamkpa-Biase Federal Constituency for fair play, equity, and justice.
A joint press statement issued on Thursday at NAKS hotel in Calabar by Chief Emmanuel Evong and Ntufam E. Itogim Anom representatives of Biase and Akamkpa Local Governments respectively stated that since over 80% of the natural resources and internally generated revenue of Cross River State comes from Akamkpa-Biase axis, it is only proper that the next governor of the state should emerge from the area.

They reeled out the economic ventures including agricultural plantations like the Cross River Rubber Estates Limited (CREL), Oban Rubber/Palm Oil Estate (ONREL), IBIAE Oil Palm Estate, Calaro Oil Palm Estate, Biakpan Rubber Estate, Kwa Falls Oil Palm Estate, and Ayip Eku Oil Palm Estate.

Others are government forest reserves and community forests in Akamkpa and Biase which have huge carbon deposits that generate revenue as well as UNREDD Programme which comprises limestone quarries for cement production by UNICEM and other valuable natural resources like granite, basalt, quartzite, and barite. In addition to the list is the Cross River National Park (Oban Division).

And fielding questions from a LENS Reporter at the venue, the former Chairman of Biase Local Government Area, and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Hon. Egwu Arung thanked Governor Ben Ayade for publicly declaring that the next governor will come from the Southern Senatorial District and urged the political elites and electorates to do the needful by actualizing this dream in 2023 gubernatorial elections.

By: Archibong Emmanuel.
(Snr. Reporter)