In fulfilment of his promise to make sacrifice in order to create
opportunities for other less disadvantaged Cross Riverians by expanding
government, Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade, yesterday
voluntarily slashed his salary by 80% .
In the same vein, the deputy governor, Prof. Ivara Esu , the Secretary to
the State Government, Barr. Tina Banku Agbor and all the executive council
members have similarly slashed their salaries by 20%.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Rosemary Archibong
announced the decision at a press conference at the Ernest Etim Bassey
Press Center Calabar.
According to her, “this is predicated on the fact that the governor, Prof.
Ben Ayade wants governance to reach as far as it can possibly reach while
increasing participation in government.”
Archibong explained that “with a lot of financial burden, we decided
voluntarily to forego part of our emolument to help meet the personnel
needs, human needs of Cross River state government in support of its
vision, policies and programs. ”
The Information commissioner said the initiative was also geared towards
ensuring that “our brothers and sisters coming to government will go home
with something.”ý
She further enjoined Cross Riverians to rally round in support of the
passion and human relation based governance of Prof. Ben Ayade, pointing
out that the slash has nothing to do with salaries of civil servants and
will not go into any capital
expenditure.
Commissioners present at the briefing were that of, Social Housing,
Sustainable Development, Lands, Commerce, New City and Gas Resources.
Others were commissioners for special projects, Environment, Finance,
Petroleum Resources, Agriculture, Infrastructure and International
Development Corporation.