ADC chieftain slams Cross River govt over aircraft purchase

A former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, Mr. Effiong Efa Nyong, has criticised the state government for purchasing two new aircraft worth billions of naira to boost the fleet of Cally Air.

Speaking at the weekend during the second stakeholders’ meeting of the ADC coalition in Calabar, Nyong described the acquisition as a “misplaced priority,” accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of insensitivity to the plight of citizens.

According to him, the decision comes at a time when Cross Riverians are grappling with economic hardship, food inflation, and poor infrastructure.

“You can imagine a government spending millions of dollars to acquire aircraft in a state where there is no public transportation system, no buses to convey the common man, no good roads to move produce from rural areas to townships. It is terrible,” he said.

Nyong recalled that during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke, initiatives like Cross Lines and Metro Blue buses provided affordable transport within and outside the state, directly benefiting the masses.

He added, “If you convert the cost of one of those aircraft, it can be used to buy many buses, repair roads, and positively affect the lives of Cross Riverians. The consideration is purely for the elites.”

Nyong also lamented the state of hospitals, alleging that residents continue to die due to poor medical facilities, inadequate doctors, and erratic electricity supply in health centres

“This is not about personal interest or not liking the face of anybody. We just have to put things right,” he stressed, accusing the government of shutting out collaboration and fresh ideas.

Also speaking, former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and ADC chieftain, Mr. Akin Ricketts, reiterated the party’s determination to take over government at both state and national levels.

“Nigerians cannot afford to continue to suffer beyond 2027. The ADC is the only party with the genuine interest of the people at heart and would definitely change the narrative come 2027,” Ricketts declared.

Source: Guardian Nigeria | Read Full Story…