Governor Bassey Otu has explained why his administration chose to focus on reviving the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort instead of immediately pursuing the state's proposed gas project, saying the decision was driven by financial realities and the need to protect existing public investments.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Diana Mary Nsan on the programme Dialogue, the governor said Cross River State has invested more than 400 million US dollars in Tinapa over the years, making it impossible for his administration to abandon the facility.
According to him, leaving Tinapa unattended would have led to further deterioration of the infrastructure and wasted the huge public investment already committed to the project.
Governor Otu disclosed that his administration engaged in lengthy negotiations to recover and reposition the business resort. He expressed confidence that before the end of the year, Cross River residents would begin to witness a transformed Tinapa.
He revealed that rehabilitation work is already ongoing at the retail emporiums and other commercial facilities within the complex. He added that the government is also restoring the power generation infrastructure by providing a reliable gas supply to guarantee stable electricity for businesses operating there.
The governor further announced that an anchor tenant has already committed to operating in Tinapa, a move he believes will attract more investors and increase commercial activities. He also disclosed plans to construct a jetty to improve access to the resort and create more opportunities for local businesses.
Speaking on the proposed gas project, Governor Otu said his administration had to make difficult choices because of limited financial resources. He noted that Cross River remains one of the states receiving the lowest federal allocations and that many inherited projects were initiated based on revenue projections that never materialised.
He explained that the government's priority is to complete and revive abandoned investments before embarking on new mega-projects. According to him, once those projects become fully operational and begin generating value, the state will be better positioned to pursue initiatives such as the gas project.
Governor Otu also highlighted progress made in completing abandoned government infrastructure across the state. He cited the completion of buildings now occupied by the Local Government Service Commission, noting that several ministries and agencies are gradually relocating into modern office facilities.
He said the administration's goal is to provide a better working environment for civil servants, improve morale within the public service, strengthen service delivery, and ensure government operates more efficiently for the benefit of Cross River residents.
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