“The report is untrue, mischievous, has no iota of professionalism”_ CRSG denies 5bn Governor’s office renovation

The Government of Cross River State has debunked claims in some quarters that the sum of five billion naira has been awarded for the renovation of the Governor’s Office in Calabar.

Recall that the Governor’s Office Calabar has been under renovation since Governor Otu took over as governor of the State and is currently operating from Dan Archibong Presidential Lodge.

News made the rounds within the week that 5bn is earmarked by government for the renovation of the governors office where his predecessor, former Governor Ben Ayade operated from.

The Commissioner for Information in the State, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang in a press statement issued on Saturday 16th September 2023 said no contract of such is awarded.

He urged members of the public to disregard such information as it is untrue, mischievous, and has no iota of professionalism to it, while also noting that it is a calculated attempt to confuse and misinform members of the public.

The statement read: “The attention of the Cross River State Government has been drawn to the unfounded news in some sections of the social media to the effect that the State Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has awarded a contract for the renovation of the Governor’s Office Complex for N5 billion.

“The report is untrue, mischievous, and has no iota of professionalism to it. It is rather calculated to confuse and misinform members of the public.

“What are the facts? Governor Otu at a media parley on Friday, 8th September 2023, stated the renovation of the Governor’s Office and the State Liaison Offices in Abuja and Lagos would gulp between N3bn and N5bn. People should take into cognizance the forthrightness of the Governor and the galloping inflationary trend in the country that informed the estimate of the project.

“Government further wishes to clarify here that the Governor Otu-led administration since the inauguration on May 29, 2023, has not awarded ANY SINGLE CONTRACT to any Contractor. The ongoing renovation work at the Governor’s Office Complex is pro-bono by some Stakeholders in solid support of the “People’s First” good governance mantra of this administration.

“The Government of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is hugely committed to follow due process in awarding contracts in all sectors of the State. The Ministry of Information has the mandate to publish all procurement notices via the Cross River State Tenders Journal and the Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau that issues Certificate of No Objection for all contracts have been properly constituted to deliver creditably and members of the public are free to verify all contracts so awarded.

“Therefore, the Government urges members of the public to disregard this misrepresentation of facts but should continue to support the administration to deliver good governance to the people. The media including social media and bloggers have a responsibility to be factual and when in doubt should reach out or seek clarity. Together for a People’s First Administration!

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)