The Cross River State Government has vowed to correct what it described as “preeminent misinformation” surrounding the state’s milestones in accreditation and its ongoing push to be recognized as an oil producing state.

Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interactive session with journalists at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.

Cobham said the impromptu engagement was called to ensure that facts about government policies and achievements are properly communicated to avoid speculation.

“A key focus of this engagement is to correct misinformation around the state’s milestones in accreditation and the push for Cross River to be recognized as an oil-producing state,* he said.

“When I assumed office, I said it’s going to be an era of constructive engagement. Government programmes must be properly communicated to you as journalists to avoid misinformation and presumption,” the Commissioner added.

To back the claim with facts, Cobham announced a two-pronged action plan that will see the ministry lead journalists round every government project across the state.

“It’s not about if, it’s about when. So that when you are putting me on the spot, you can speak authoritatively on the true status of what government has accomplished,” he stated.

He urged the media to move ”from the comfort zone to investigative journalism” and help the public understand where the state stands in 2026.

“Is it in this 21st century that somebody would talk about where the government is operating from? Talk about the record, the performance index. Reel out what you think government has not achieved. Let us engage,” he said.

The Commissioner also addressed the arrest of Mr. Odama, clarifying that the petition was filed in personal capacity by two government functionaries and not by the office of Governor Bassey Otu.

“The due process of the law is ongoing. The state government and the office of the Executive Governor should be alienated from this process. This is a criminal issue, not politics,” Cobham said.

He described Odama’s alleged remarks as *”absolute insolence” and said anyone wishing to defend him should do so in court.

On claims by some persons of having valid employment letters from government, Okomo said investigations showed they were victims of fraudsters who were not properly engaged.

“Government heard that certain persons placed in positions of trust became complicit. That bond was resolved. If you have a genuine contract, go to court,” he said.

Okomo reaffirmed that his office remains open to all questions.
“I am paid to disseminate information. There will be no room for misinformation of any sort,” he concluded.