…State Government Advances Technological Innovation in Asset Management
By Kingsley Agim
In a decisive effort to enhance transparency, accountability, and administrative efficiency, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has directed the digitalization of the state’s asset registry. This strategic initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive, technology-driven framework for the cataloging, auditing, and management of government-owned properties, thereby fortifying oversight mechanisms and mitigating systemic inefficiencies.
This directive aligns with the State Executive Council’s approval of a far-reaching audit and recovery process for public assets, underscoring the administration’s unwavering commitment to prudent governance, data-driven decision-making, and fiscal responsibility.
To facilitate the seamless execution of this initiative, key government officials—including Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor; Economic Adviser, Prof. Peter Oti; Accountant General, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong; and State Auditor General, Mrs. Anne Essessien—convened in Calabar for a high-level deliberation with representatives from Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited, the firm tasked with developing and deploying the digital infrastructure.
The engagement was designed to harmonize expert insights, refine operational modalities, and integrate best practices, ensuring that the emerging digital asset registry is technologically robust, functionally dynamic, and optimally aligned with the state’s governance imperatives.
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Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, accentuated the transformative potential of digitalizing the asset registry, emphasizing its role in enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening institutional accountability, and facilitating the reclamation of unlawfully acquired state properties.
“Governor Otu has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to instituting a governance paradigm rooted in transparency, efficiency, and accountability. By transitioning to a digital framework, we are not only modernizing asset management processes but also reinforcing the government’s resolve to curtail the misappropriation of public resources,” Agbor asserted.
He further reaffirmed the administration’s determination to collaborate with key stakeholders in ensuring the successful implementation, institutional adoption, and long-term sustainability of the initiative.
Godswill Adie, Chief Technology Officer of Nugi Technologies Nigeria Limited, commended the Cross River State Government’s forward-thinking approach to leveraging digital solutions for improved governance outcomes.
“The insights and guidance provided by government stakeholders have been instrumental in shaping a system that is not merely a repository for asset documentation, but a dynamic platform that fosters real-time tracking, enhances decision-making, and institutionalizes accountability at all levels,” Adie remarked.
He assured that, upon completion, the digital asset registry will serve as a centralized and highly accessible database, revolutionizing how the government monitors, manages, and safeguards its assets.
The digital transformation of the state’s asset registry is poised to streamline bureaucratic processes, optimize resource allocation, and reinforce the judicious management of public assets. By embracing technological innovation and data-driven governance, Governor Otu’s administration is setting a precedent for fiscal discipline, institutional modernization, and sustainable development in Cross River State.
