"I Inherited A State With Potentials Not Empty Treasury"

Contrary to the cries of state governors about inheriting empty treasuries in their states, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state, stands out.

Addressing newsmen in Calabar to mark his 30 days in office, Governor Ayade has stated that didn’t inherit an
empty treasury from his predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke.
Rather, Govenor Ayade unequivocally said that he inherited a state with great potentials and promises to make the state greater.
Ayade made this known while fielding questions from newsmen on the side-lines of speculations that the state is allegedly indebted to the tune of about N403 billion.
According to the governor, it is absolutely wrong for anybody to measure the wealth of a nation by the naira and kobo in its account, but rather by its economic potentials.
The Governor said: “I inherited a State with great potentials; I did not inherit an empty treasury. After all, I don’t measure the wealth of a nation by the naira and kobo in its account.
“I inherited a state that has a lot of mineral resources that can be converted into wealth. I met a state that people are willing to contribute to, and turn its misfortune to fortune. And I am prepared to re-jig and increase the production capacity thereby increasing the revenue base of the state.
“I inherited a TINAPA Resort and International Convention Centre that we can, through private partnership, promote and realise our great tourism potentials as Africa destination point” , he stated.
Ayade added that for the state to move on and make its mark, the construction of a sea port, a super highway from Calabar to Obudu, and a garment factory are projects that must be realised within his administration.
The governor also ordered the payment of local government workers salaries within the week following agitations by the workers.
This comes after the governor last month, promised to create 1,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.