Eyo Charles
The three signature projects of Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State have been described as another big scam that would never be completed but which shall further cripple the state economy.
An economic and tax consultant, Nakanda Archibong Edet said for the governor to launch all out simultaneously with such heavy projects is an early indication that he wants to swallow more than he can chew.
"How can he holds two things in his hands and still wants to climb the ladder? How can he succeed?" He asked.
Commending the governor for his spirited determination to succeed,
National vice chairman of All Progressives Congress for South-South of Nigeria, Prince Hilliard Eta, however, said that the projects shall end up plunging the already impoverished state into another mountain of debts.
Shortly after he assumed the mantle of leadership of the state Professor Ayade announced that his administration would immediately focus on constructing deep sea port in Calabar since the federal government owned Calabar seaport has suffered so much politicking, and staggering amount of money sunk into it over many years for its dredging to accommodate bigger vessels without any headway. As a result, he said the non-dredging and non-activation of the Calabar port has negatively impacted against local manufacturers, the state and other businesses giving rise to his desire to construct state-owned seaport.
The other two capital-intensive signature projects include construction of 240 kilometre superhighway from Calabar through the vast forests to Obudu in the northern part of the state, and establishment of Garment factory. The garment factory which shall mostly employ widows and young people, reports say, Ayade wants to deliver it to mark his first 100 days in office. But over 60 days yet there is no certainty if this factory can come on stream next 40 days even though applications from widows are being received by Secretary to state government.
Gov Ayade has however assured that he would not depend on the lean resources of the state to complete these projects.
At a media parley fortnight ago, Ayade said: "I have visited Spain and Germany in the last few weeks regarding these projects. I have signed some Memoranda of Understanding with international financiers and technical partners in respect of these and other initiatives. More than 15 investors have so far visited me already. They have all indicated strong desire to participate in these projects. I have personally recruited technical staff abroad to complement our local staff in these projects. Already, we have much of the raw materials on ground. These shall reduce much financial involvement. I want to assure that little or no funds from the state would come into the projects. Therefore, there should be no cause for alarm."
But Eta has doubted that these could be feasible going by the state of insolvency prevailing.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar last week, the APC boss said: "First, let me commend Prof Ayade for the verve he put into these huge and mind-blowing projects. I can only say that these shall become another White Elephant projects which he would leave behind in the same way his two predecessors littered the state with theirs. Soon this state shall become white with elephants."
He recalled that Mr Donald Duke brought Tinapa business resort which not only consumed the state resources but ended up incurring heavy debts which have not been paid. And yet Tinapa is not put to optimal use as desired, even though it has since been sold to Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Eta also recalled that Duke's successor, Senator Liyel Imoke, came to build what he described as 'needless' Calabar International Conference Centre, a stone throw from Tinapa, for almost the same purpose, sinking Billions of Naira borrowed from banks and international partners.
"I hear Ayade also wants to build his own called 'Cala-Vegas City' to complement his predecessors.
"Cross River is presently insolvent. The state is hugely indebted as a result of all these which are not priority.
"Before plunging headlong into this other dream trip, let Governor Ayade kindly tell us what this state is worth financially. Let him open up on our state of indebtedness.
"I can assure that this state does not have such amounts envisaged to prosecute these signature projects. Will he not go into partnerships and borrowing to do these projects? Where will that leave us?"
Eta wondered if the governor has taken into cognisance that constructing a superhighway of that magnitude and seaport, he first needs to clear with the federal government.
"No matter what and who he would engage for the highway construction, because required funds would hardly be handy to clear the forests, pay compensations, build bridges, etc, I see him ending up abandoning this and the sea port projects", he said.
A forestry expert, Samuel Akaninyene was equally worried that the 240 kilometre superhighway could destroy greater amount of forest, which on the long run, would impact against the gains from carbon credits which the state is currently benefiting from United Nations.
He said endangered species of trees found mostly in the state which were been conserved are going to be destroyed forever as a result of the road construction.
"We envisage that the destruction of the forest would be massive. Not only that the machinery and technology that would be deployed would dangerously affect the ecosystem. There is no doubt that the carbon credits the state presently enjoys from the UN as a result of forest conservation might reduce", he said.
In his recommendation, the APC boss who also is an indigene proffered that in the alternative, since the state is very rich with agricultural resources which seemed to have been relegated to the background, he should rather emphasise on how the state can bolster the three cash crops: cocoa, oil palm products and rice to impact the state economy.
Eta stressed "It is possible for Cross River State to feed the entire Nigeria, but because we have been indolent regarding the potentials accruable from agriculture we have therefore relegated it to the background.
"It is possible for this state to produce rice, cocoa and oil palm products in large scale quantity and export to other countries. God has hugely blessed the state with these natural crops, so that we can be in a position to supply the quantities needed by Nigeria and to other countries", he said.
He cautioned the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade to channel the energy and verve put in to solicit funds from banks, partners and donor agencies to finance his three signature projects to agriculture.
"Cross River State is presently insolvent. And these capital intensive signature projects would incur more debts to the state but investment in agriculture will not", Eta said
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