By Disu Amosun
Two times APC gubernatorial aspirant in Cross River state Senator John Owan Eno believes the challenges confronting the state is simple and is best approached through political interface with relevant stakeholders.
He said in an interactive session with the executive and members of the Cross River State Journalists Forum in Abuja that the crux of the state’s problems is not the debt hanging on its neck, but innovatively increasing its revenue base.
Senator Eno said through his numerous interactions with the Debt Management Office DMO, Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS and other stakeholders during his time as a federal lawmaker at both chambers of the National Assembly, it was clear that what is needed is increasing the household earnings of Cross River people as catalyst for exiting the widespread poverty in the state.
“As a seasoned politician I have come to realise that empowering the people is key to increasing the state revenue-base and this is key in my manifesto for developing Cross River when I become governor come 2023.
“Also from my widespread interaction, it became clear that International Aids and Grants are available for this purpose which I intend to harness. All it requires is transparency and accountability which I modestly claim I am noted for in all my public service life”, he said.
The gubernatorial aspirant said the loss of oil fields by Cross River State to neibouring Akwa Ibom is not a closed issue as it will still be revisited when he becomes governor through political interactions for solutions, as a means of shoring up the state revenue. Same would be applied to territorial loss like the Bskassi.
