Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has disclosed that his administration is planning to develop two new cities around Calabar as part of a long-term strategy to expand the state capital and accommodate its growing population and economy.
Speaking during an interview with media personality Diana Mary Nsan on the programme Dialogue, the governor said the proposed expansion will cover areas between Calabar, Odukpani and Akamkpa.
According to him, the state has already completed the planning stage and is now focused on providing the infrastructure needed to unlock the new urban centres.
Governor Otu explained that one of the proposed cities will be developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), leveraging its riverfront location and proximity to the state's industrial park to attract investors and create a modern commercial hub.
He noted that the rising cost of land in Calabar reflects increasing economic activities and renewed investor confidence in the state.
"When we came into government, a plot of land in Calabar was about ₦9 million. Today, you can hardly get a good plot for ₦40 million. That tells you there is growth, but it also shows that there is an urgent need for expansion," he said.
The governor added that his administration is already opening up new corridors by constructing roads that will connect the proposed development areas.
He also revealed plans to establish new housing estates, urban communities and satellite towns to support Calabar's future growth.
According to Otu, the vision is to transform Calabar into a much larger metropolitan city capable of meeting the demands of a growing population and attracting more investments.
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