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The United States Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. John Bray says he is
impressed with the industrialisation drive of the Cross River Governor,
Prof Ben Ayade within his three years in office.
Bray stated this in Calabar on Wednesday shortly after being conducted
round several industries built by the Ayade-led administration in the state.
Industries visited included the Cross River Garment Factory, the Rice Seeds
and Seedlings Factory, the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company and the 21
megawatts power plant.
“I am really impressed as I have not seen a lot of things like these in
Nigeria in my five years in the country. Seeing all these developments in
one area is very impressive,” the US Consul General remarked.
Bray who was in Calabar to prepare grounds for some visitors into the state
explained that he had to take time out to see investments opportunities in
the state and that what he saw is a beautiful state that would compel him
to visit often.
On possible areas of collaboration between the United States and Cross
River, he said it was evident that such exist already with the
American-made tractors on ground at the rice seeds and seedlings factory as
well as American engineers at the power plant.
His words: “There are always areas of collaboration. Seeing the
American-made tractors in the rice city with United States engineers on
ground, that is an evidence of collaboration between the United States and
Nigeria, though from a private sector, but there is collaboration already.”
Continuing, Bray said: “it is beautiful because government cannot do
everything, so seeing the private sector here and United States products
and engineers on ground, it is very great.”
In his reaction, Governor Ayade expressed delight that his efforts at
developing the state were being acknowledged, adding that “it is a
reflection of the fact that I have a pass mark from America and Germany.
Americans don’t mince their words, when they want to say something to you,
they will tell you truly how they feel.”
“This is my third year in office and we have gone round three factories
with many more to go if we had the time. I wanted to take him to the
largest banana plantation in Africa few minutes away from here, but I am
sure we have other things to do, but one day we will be back and I will
take them through.”
Ayade who commended Bray for accentuating and concentrating America
investments and interest in Cross River, noted that the deployment of
American turbines, engines and other machines in the factories remain a
source of delight to him.
Highpoints of the visit was the planting of rice seedlings with the
transplanter machine at the factory amidst cheers by Cross Riverians who
gathered at the scene chanting, “digital,” “digital governor,” “super
digital,” “na you we know.”