By Musa Yaro, Calabar.
Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, says his administration will renovate the Governor’s office to fit into a 21st-century smart edifice.
Otu disclosed this Tuesday when he had his maiden meeting with staff of the Governor’s office, Calabar.
“As a matter of fact, we deserve to build a brand new one but because there are too many competing demands, we will try to remodel this one properly for it to also be ready to serve the 21st century.
“The edifice that we are now has served many administrations and just because of time, we will not be able to do the things we are supposed to do.
“I am looking for a space where the staff needs to be accommodated so that at least they can renovate this edifice to the 21st-century smart office.
“If we can get a place, I think all of us will be involved so that they can start the renovation of this office very quickly, it is one of those projects that we are targeting, though I don’t believe in 100 days, for the 100 days in office, that we will be doing,” the governor said.
On the welfare of workers, Otu assured that issues of outstanding promotions and implementation will be immediately done.
“I believe that the first factor of production is human beings and when you don’t have the right you cannot produce right.
“I am told here that you are owed arrears and some promotions that were given out but not implemented, I think I will say right up here that all those are going to be implemented immediately,”
On complaints of transportation raised by the staff, the governor charged those keeping government cars to return them to make the job easy.
He further called for total commitment from workers, maintaining that hard work attracts blessings from God.
“Any responsibility that God gives you and you do it well, he has a way of blessing you and I want to let you know that when you don’t do it well, you are hurting yourself one way or the other.
“I might not be the one to bless you but God has a special way of rewarding you for whatever investment you put in terms of service, especially that of saving lives,” Otu said.
Encouraging staff despite the paucity of funds, the governor enjoined them to brace up for the challenges ahead.
“Recharge your batteries, it is going to be tough but it is only the tough that gets going.
“You can only claim victory when you surmount the great obstacles and there is nothing we cannot do if we are in one spirit,” Otu assured.
