By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
A Cross River State governorship aspirant, Emmanuel Essien Robson, has said if elected into office he would return the economy of the state and its capital city to their past glory.
Speaking as part of an elaborate public declaration to campaign for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an interview with THISDAY recently, Robson promised to “give the state a rebirth by bringing back the beautiful years of her glory when it was reputed as the ultimate tourist destination in Nigeria an well as restore its brand value as the peoples’ paradise.
“We will reposition hospitality and tourism, as well as reposition moribund assets from Tinapa to Obudu Cattle Ranch. These assets will be great again.”
He vowed to run a government that would focus on catalysing economic growth through innovation. “We will drive an economy that will be self – reliant trough strengthening of the business environment by attracting private sector investment in our economy and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Robson, who was the best graduating student of the department of Marine Transportation and Technology (1995) at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, also won the university scholar award for his “incisive intellectual capacity and outstanding academic performances,” said he would revamp the economy of the state through innovative agriculture.
He also plans to do this through a four pronged approach of “promoting agricultural research and development, skills building and capacity; strengthening farmers and improving infrastructure, market access and access to finance and information.”
In addition, he said he would promote “a leadership that will demonstrate utmost respect for the sanctity of human life by prioritising improvement of security and safety of the people and their assets in the state.”
