By Emmanuel Etim
In a record breaking move, the visionary Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu on Monday 19th May, 2025 approved the Development of the Cross River State Green Manufacturing Zone.
The State Green Manufacturing Zone is a vision of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu to promote Green development in the state driven by the Cross River State Council on Climate Change and Green Economy Commission Consortium headed by Hon. Oden Ewa.
The Governor also approved ten private green investors for the zone with over fifteen proposed green Investments covering light manufacturing, smart agriculture processing, manufacturing/assembly plants etc.
Some of the Investments include Solar PV and Electric Vehicle Manufacturing/Assembly Plant, Electric and CNG Vehicle Manufacturing/ Assembly Plant, Deep Sea Fishing and Fish Processing For Export, Green House Farming and Tomatoes Processing, Reticulating Aquaculture Systems and Insect Based Protein Animal Feed Projects.
Some green Investments that are to be located outside the zone include two thousand (2000) hectares rice farm with methane abatement and rice center in Ogoja, 1000 Cows Dairy Farm for milk and cheese Production at Obudu Mountain Resort, Green Eco Friendly Homes Initiative in Calabar Municipality and Small Hydro Power Generation at Kwa Falls, Akamkpa to mention a few.
Speaking, the Chairman Cross River State Green Economy Commission who is also head of the Consortium Hon. Oden Ewa said the vision of the Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu is to keep the state firmly in the leading position for Climate Resilience and Green Development in Nigeria.
He said the concept of the State Green Manufacturing Zone is to be driven by the private sector for sustainability. He continued that the Development of the State Green Manufacturing Zone will not only create jobs and add to economic growth of the state but will also earn carbon credits for the state in the near future.
Speaking, the Director General, Cross River State Council on Climate Change, Dr. Edu Effiom said the approval of green Investment firms by the green Investment friendly governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu went through a painstaking process of review of Expressions of Interest, Analysis of technical and financial proposals as well as due diligence by the Consortium team.
She congratulated the approved investors saying the Consortium will be working closely with them to ensure projects are started and delivered within agreed timelines. She wished them the best saying the state government is always there to support them in their journey. Dr. Edu thanked the Governor for the approvals and all the support.
A member of the Council on Council on Climate Change, Mr. Emmanuel Etim while speaking said the State Green Manufacturing Zones are to be sited in the three Senatorial Districts; Ogoja in the Northern Senatorial District, Ikom in the Central Senatorial District and Calabar in the Southern Senatorial District.
He added that the State Green Manufacturing Zone in the Southern Senatorial District will be located within Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort Free Trade Zone. He further stated that efforts are being made to ensure the Green manufacturing zones in Ikom and Ogoja enjoy the same Free Trade Zone status as the one located in Calabar.
Commenting, a member of the Cross River State Green Economy Commission, Dr. Peter Ohiero said in implementing the Investments in the state, attention will be given to professionalism, environmental and social impact assessment by investors, quality assurance as well as local content.
He thanked the governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu for opening up the state for green Investments through legal and policy frameworks. He welcomed the green investors to the state.
Another member of the Cross River State Council on Climate change Mr. Adam Nkanor speaking, said with the quality of green Investments flowing into the state, the green future of the state is assured. He added that tens of green investors are still sending in Expressions of Interest and the Consortium will continue considering them.
Dr. Stephen Ekwok, a member of the Cross River State Green Economy Commission said the best future for the world is going green and it is a thing of pride for Cross River State to be leading green development in Nigeria.