Otu’s projects underreported-ex-PDP chairman 

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, Mr Venatius Ikem, says ongoing and completed projects by the Gov. Bassey Otu’s administration across the state are poorly publicised.

Ikem said this on Thursday in Calabar, while fielding questions from newsmen.

He noted that inadequate public communication had created the impression that the government was not doing enough.

He said he was surprised by the volume of projects across the state after engaging with the government and visiting some project sites.

“My quick impression is that the projects and programmes of the state are highly underreported.

“Since engaging with the state, I have been amazed at the volume and numbers of projects they are executing across the state,” he said.

Ikem identified ongoing renovation work at the Obudu Mountain Resort, including its cable car facilities, as well as the rehabilitation of the resort’s airstrip.

He also mentioned ongoing work at the cargo airport and road projects in Yala, Yakurr and Adiabo Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him, some major roads abandoned for more than 20 years have also received attention, but the achievements have not received adequate publicity.

He said the government could not assume that projects would automatically speak for themselves without deliberate efforts to inform and engage beneficiaries.

“When you do projects, you engage communities, you do all of that so that they will be aware of what you are doing,” he said.

Ikem noted that inadequate community engagement and the absence of formal commissioning of some projects could also explain why residents appeared unaware of government interventions.

He urged the administration to strengthen its information machinery, including the Ministry of Information and government-owned media organisations, to communicate its achievements effectively.

“Government communication mechanisms must be effective, not necessarily for propaganda, but to inform the public that your resources are being applied this way or that way,” he said.

He added that effective communication would enable communities to appreciate government interventions, develop confidence in the administration, and take ownership of completed projects.

It would be recalled that Ikem had in October resigned his position as the state PDP chairman and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He had cited internal divisions, a crisis of direction, and leadership incoherence within the PDP as his reason for resignation.

He described his decision as difficult but necessary, following what he called a careful reflection on the party’s current realities and his inability to continue providing effective leadership.