Sen. Sandy Onor (PDP-Cross River Central) says he will ensure full autonomy for local governments if he is elected the state governor in 2023.
Onor disclosed this at a news conference in Calabar on Monday.
He stated that the “local government system will be resurrected and its full autonomy restored. Our people depend on this tier of government for survival.
“I have been a local government chairman and had also served as chairman of the local government service commission.
“Under my watch, the dry bone called local government system in our state will live again.’’
Onor noted that local government chairmen would be allowed to execute meaningful projects that would serve the needs of the rural populace.
He said he undertook a state-wide consultation between Dec. 14 and Dec. 22 2021, to inform the people about his desire to contest for the governorship position on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He also assured that as governor, he would ensure the security of lives of the people, their investments and all the treasures of the state.
“I will pay attention to our civil service system. Once upon a time, we used to have a vibrant civil service.
“We will get the civil service back to the path of growth and both active civil servants and retirees will feel it.
“We will take deliberate steps to restore the tourism glories of our state and will pay specific attention to ecotourism, which is unique to Cross River,’’ he said.
The governorship aspirant also promised to continue his consultations with the people of Cross River and with the media.
“If I am elected governor, I promise on my honour, to do only those things that will make Cross River people happy.
“Cross River people, especially our youths and women, will make a living through hard work and will be encouraged to compete with their counterparts in all parts of the world,’’ Onor also told newsmen.