By Uket Oka Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has called for more funding of tertiary institutions in the State by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Prince Otu made the call Wednesday, when the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating alleged abuse of N2.3trn generated from Tertiary Education Tax by the TETFund, paid a courtesy call on him at the Temporary Governor’s Office, Dan Archibong Lodge, Calabar, the State capital.
Governor Otu urged the members of the committee to be diligent and eschew any sentiments on their assignment, noting that, the oversight and investigative nature of the committee was sensitive.
“Your assignment is sensitive and it requires you to be diligent and eschew any sentiments not in tandem with the mandate of your committee.
“I have looked at the grants to tertiary institutions and note that Cross River is the least State, but one State in terms of how much have been received and this is not good enough. I know you are an ad-hoc committee, but your recommendations will go a long way in ensuring that tertiary institutions in Cross River State get equitable share of grants due to them,” the governor said.
He further enjoined members of the committee to be ambassadors of the hospitality of the people of the state and wished them the best in their oversight functions in the south-south zone.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, said the committee was in the state as part of its ongoing investigations and oversight for the humongous sum spent by the TETFund from Tertiary Education Tax over the past decade with nothing to show for it.
Hon. Nyanpa assured that the committee would spare no effort in ensuring that the right thing is done and the people get value for all taxes especially tertiary institutions.
He commended the State Governor for his industry and renewal efforts of Calabar metropolis and other parts of the State.
Other members of the committee on the visit include Hons. Bassey Akiba, Mark Essiet, Godwin Offiono and Manuchim Umezuruike.
