I’ll earn your trust, Ayade tells Cross River residents

Cross Rivers State Governor Benedict Ayade yesterday assured the people of the state that he will earn their trust through good governance.

Ayade spoke at an interdenominational service at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Calabar, the state capital, as part of events to celebrate Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary.

The governor urged the people to have faith in him but not trust.

He pledged to earn their trust through purposeful leadership.

Ayade said: “With time and patience from you, I will earn your trust by the achievements I will record. But, please, don’t trust me until I earn your trust.”

The governor was presented with a holy Bible and rosary.

Ayade said he inherited a “state rich in character and quality men”.

He added: “I believe I inherited a wealthy state with great potentials. The potentials need to be nursed and harnessed. I come with the intellect, the capacity, humility and fear of God to harness all of these resources for the betterment of the people of Cross River State.”

Ayade said he had a clear picture of the direction he was taking the state‘.

The governor noted that he had kept to his promise to pay workers’ salaries before the 25th of every month.

According to him, salaries have been paid frequently on the 25th of every month, despite the meagre resources available to the state.

He said Cross River had not borrowed in the face of the current financial challenges.

Ayade called for a reversal of the nation’s privatisation policy.

The governor described it as unacceptable because it did not augur well with the true African philosophy of providing a shoulder for fellow brothers to lean on.

He added that Nigeria’s current state of development does not support privatisation.

Ayade listed the reasons for his stance on tax exemption for low income earners.

The governor said his background played a vital role in shaping his philosophy of governance.