Ayade looted Cross River treasury dry, left dilapidated infrastructure – Gov Otu

• Edet also revealed that many infrastructure in the state had fallen into disrepair under Ayade’s government

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, says he met the State in a parlous and deplorable condition when he took over.

Otu, who spoke through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ankpo Edet, disclosed that Benedict Ayade, the immediate past governor of the State, bequeathed empty treasury to him.

He made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing in Calabar, the state capital.

Edet also revealed that many infrastructure in the state had fallen into disrepair under Ayade’s government, adding that the state government had commenced some road rehabilitation across the state.

Edet said the Otu administration will not abandon any task started by the previous governments and has achieved significant progress in urban development.

He said: “The level of infrastructure decay we met on the ground was such that I was confused as a commissioner when I went around Calabar upon resumption.

“I am happy to announce that we have done a lot in rehabilitating most of these roads in spite of the Sen. Bassey Otu-led administration meeting empty treasury.

“Just like we had in Calabar municipality and Calabar south, so were there several unmotorable roads in Cross River north and Cross River central.

“These projects are being carried out with taxpayers’ money and so, we will work on them and also not abandon any of those we are working on now.

“You will see the serious work on the parliamentary extension road. We are using this road to be our super highway since the one embarked upon by the immediate past administration didn’t see the light of the day.”