By Mbah Monday
The Cross River State Government has issued a directive to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, to submit a comprehensive list of government-owned assets and properties under their custody on or before May 23, 2025.
The directive follows the approval of the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, and the State Executive Council, to enable the Department of Asset Management and Recovery to document and manage the State’s assets efficiently.
The move is predicated on a renewed push by the present administration for transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
Presenting the official directive to the Head of Service, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Mr Gilbert Agbor, stressed that all the MDAs must treat the assignment with urgency and diligence.
“All Heads of MDAs are enjoined to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves, as His Excellency, the Governor, attaches great importance to this exercise.”
He explained that the State government intends to curb the misuse, unlawful possession, and abandonment of government properties across the State, which has resulted in significant loss of public resources.
Mr Agbor praised Governor Otu for his visionary leadership and for initiating reforms that promote effective governance.
Also speaking, the Economic Adviser to the Governor, Professor Peter Oti, emphasized that taking inventory of government assets was critical as it would ensure their optimal utilization for the benefit of the public.
According to him, the initiative marks another bold step by the current administration to strengthen institutional accountability and safeguard public assets for future generations.
Professor Oti called on all MDAs to comply with the directive, assuring that the Governor Otu-led administration was committed to the prudent management of State resources.
Responding, the Head of Service of Cross River State, Dr. Innocent Eteng, described the directive as a compelling call to action backed by executive approval.
He gave the assurance that his office would work closely with the MDAs to meet the May 23 deadline.
“The importance of this assignment cannot be overstated. We will make concerted efforts to ensure full compliance and timely submission.
He explained that the compilation must follow a structured format with proper identification codes for each asset type, as provided by the Department of Asset Management and Recovery.
