Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has completed the refurbishment of the state governor’s office in Calabar.
The office was built in 1968 by former military governor, Brigadier General Udoakaha Jacob Esuene.
Donald Duke however gave it a facelift during his first term as governor in early 2000.
The structure afterwards witnessed rapid deterioration and upon assumption of office on 29 May 2023, Otu refused to work from there, preferring to operate from one of the presidential lodges in Calabar.
Otu said, “The structure was grossly not befitting of a governor’s office. I had to take the decision to bring it up to befit a 21st century and digital standard seat of power.
“I needed an edifice where government business and administration can comfortably be run from; where workers can give out their very best.
“Today, the Cross River governor’s office can be compared with any other in the world.”
Otu said he was determined to have the total refurbishment delivered and commissioned as he completed his two years in power, and so that his successors can also work from a befitting and comfortable office environment.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Owan-Enoh, said the administration did not mind the cost and stress of completing the project, using the most qualified contractors.