By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Senator Sandy Onor, the People’s Democratic (Party) PDP governorship candidate in Cross River State has advised the state government to shelf its planned of selling government properties
“We have spoken many times against moves by the governor to embark on last minute programmes and projects, including the plan to conduct a recruitment exercise into the state civil service in the twilight of this administration.
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‘. This exercise, if it holds, would end up laced intensely in nepotism, favouritism and sectionalism. It would be purely political and would not meet the genuine needs of the civil service. It is meant to rally troops for the 2023 elections and make the next government look bad by inflicting upon it a wage bill that is unpayable. The timing is wrong “, Senator Onor said while addressing journalists at on Friday in Calabar.
He said: “This government has not implemented any promotion since it came on board in 2015. Primary school teachers have not been promoted; there have been no incremental steps since 2016 and many primary school teachers are still being owed backlog of salaries. It is common knowledge that public primary schools in the state do not even have imprest; which is why the teachers use their money, and sometimes find ways of getting money from the pupils, to be able to buy lesson notes and even chalk”
“As a major stakeholder in the Cross River project and by the grace of God, the next governor of our state, I wish to humbly assert that in as much as I know that our people need job opportunities in the state civil service, this one is deceitfully envisioned for political reasons. “Recruitment exercises ought to be methodic, systematic and seen to be genuine; something that should be done in a gradual manner to allow the state and its people flow with it, based on the resources available. This one is coming with ulterior motives and is therefore unlikely to find the oxygen and legitimacy to stand the test of time’
He promised to build a befitting press center in 3 months if elected into office.
According to the PDP candidate, the second and very worrisome issue is the plan by the government to collect five years lease payment from quarries and some manufacturing companies that operate in the state. We are told that the government is reaching out to these companies to raise revenue from them five years in advance.
“This will not be in the interest of our state. While we agree that until May 28, 2023, the governor has the right to take decisions for the state, I dare say that if this is allowed, he would have mortgaged our state for the next five years. The plan is anti- people and against the common good of all Cross Riverians. We are using this opportunity to raise the red flag and to warn that we must not allow the plot to mortgage our future. The companies should be wise enough not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by those who are trying to sell this dummy. This is a warning to the companies and it will be in their interest not to fall into the trap. The timing of this venture is very awkward and unreasonable. The companies are advised to be wiser.
‘Let me also advise against the hurriedly planned sale of government property to government officials who are currently occupying those official residential quarters. Lovers of this state have kicked against this in the past and I want to add my voice at this time, to caution that the out-going government should not contemplate selling those government properties under whatever guise. These are properties that represent the face of the state. Please let them be”
‘At this juncture, permit me to please make an appeal to the state government. Calabar was hitherto declared the cleanest state capital in Nigeria for many years. In fact, as commissioner for environment, I received several delegations from state governments, far and near; all of whom came to find out from us as a state, ways and means of keeping Calabar clean in particular and the state at large. Today, the reverse is the case. Our state is now known for mountains of refuse. We can truly, hardly breathe. The shame is becoming unbearable. Let the government please do everything to rid our state capital at least, of these heaps of dirt and disgrace. It is easy to deal with, and it is doable. We did it before and it can be done again and again”
“Let me also give some attention to the forest. The pristine tropical rainforest is one of our greatest gifts. Must we be completely denuded of this great gift with all its rich fauna and flora before this government goes? The effect of this ruthless brigandage on our forest is already upon us. How can our government be so callous on our people and posterity! Let the government stop its hypocrisy on this matter and end this modern slave trade. Money must not be made at all costs and in complete disregard to the well -being of our people and the future of our children. Enough of the madness. Let our forests be exploited sustainably so as to give our environment the much needed succour it deserves. Even timber dealers would have a more sustained and profitable trade if things are done right “
“Finally, let me touch on the recent controversy surrounding BIVAS machines in our state. We all are aware of reports indicating that the state government has some BIVAS machines in its possession. INEC has denied any connivance as its machines have not left their place of custody. Our worry is that in a recent press release, IPAC had maintained that it was not carried along when INEC and the security forces in the state moved in to confirm that no BIVAS machine was tempered with. Infact, IPAC insists that for some inexplicable reasons they were stopped from participating in that verification exercise. We cannot but be worried. We therefore call on INEC and the security agencies to allow IPAC certify the authenticity of their pronouncement on the BIVAS. This is critically important because confidence building is critical in election management, prior to, during and after the elections”, he said.
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