The Cross River State Government said it has intensified efforts to recover public assets, protect government property and strengthen internal revenue generation as part of broader reforms aimed at improving accountability and prudent resource management.

The disclosure came yesterday during a sectoral media briefing in Calabar, where members of the Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Bassey Otu presented a scorecard of the administration’s performance across key sectors over the last three years.

Chairman of the Forum and Special Adviser on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, said the briefing was organised to provide citizens with factual updates on government programmes and achievements, while addressing misconceptions surrounding some projects undertaken by the administration.

Akiba said the Otu administration had maintained a strong commitment to responsible governance, noting that several projects had been completed and put to use across the state, many without elaborate commissioning ceremonies.

He stressed that, beyond infrastructure development, the government had prioritised the recovery and protection of public assets to ensure that state resources were utilised effectively for the benefit of residents.

MEANWHILE, Governor Bassey Otu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to forging stronger strategic partnerships that will unlock Cross River State’s vast economic potential, revive key economic assets, and position the state as a preferred destination for local and international investment.

The governor said sustained collaboration with critical federal agencies such as the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) remains central to his vision of transforming Cross River into a leading hub for commerce, tourism, manufacturing, and export-oriented industries.

Otu made the remarks yesterday while receiving the management team of NEPZA, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, during a courtesy visit to the State Executive Council Chamber at the Governor’s Office in Calabar. The meeting focused on strengthening existing ties between the state government and the authority, with particular emphasis on revitalising the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and expanding opportunities for industrial growth.

Welcoming the delegation, the governor expressed appreciation for the support and commitment NEPZA has shown towards Cross River over the years, noting that the agency has remained a dependable partner in the state’s economic development aspirations. He said the renewed engagement between the two institutions signals a new chapter of possibilities that could significantly alter the state’s economic landscape.

“We have a lot of possibilities in Cross River, and we deeply appreciate the support that NEPZA has continued to provide over the years,” Otu said.

“The next phase of our engagement is even more promising because it creates stronger convergence with Tinapa and opens up greater opportunities for investment, trade, manufacturing, tourism, and overall economic growth.”