Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced that his administration has completed 127 kilometers of roads across the state without any fanfare. The governor made this disclosure on Friday during a thanksgiving service held in Calabar to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, Mr. Otu emphasized that the projects reflect his administration's commitment to service delivery and were not intended for publicity. "We have completed 127km of road without cutting a ribbon; the roads are serving the interests of our people, that's our concern," he stated.
Furthermore, the governor noted that Cross River has become one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria due to sustained investments in security. He explained that the government has adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to tackle criminal activities across the state. "171 suspected criminals recently surrendered to security agencies after sustained pressure from government-backed security operations," he added.
Mr. Otu commended security agencies for their collaboration and dedication in maintaining peace and protecting the lives and property of Cross River citizens. He described democracy as a government driven by the people and urged citizens to continue supporting responsible leadership. He also paid tribute to the late Moshood Abiola and others who made sacrifices for Nigeria's democratic development.
During the event, the Anglican Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Nneoyi Egbe, urged public office holders to serve society with gratitude, humility, and accountability. He called for greater transparency in governance and regular publication of budget performance reports to strengthen public trust.
Erasmus Ekpang, the Commissioner for Information in Cross River, described Nigeria's 27 years of uninterrupted democracy as evidence of steady progress. He acknowledged that despite its flaws, democracy remains preferable to military rule and urged citizens to always support leadership to ensure better service delivery.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a special Jumat Service was also held to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day in Cross River.
