Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade on Monday assumed duty at Government House, Calabar, promising to create 1,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.

Speaking with journalists in Calabar, the governor also assured that the issue of waste management and disposal as well as regeneration of forests would be among the priorities of his administration.

He also warned that civil servants who failed to be at their duty posts by 8.10 a.m. daily would be sanctioned.

“Our target is to create 500 to 1,000 jobs in the first 100 days. We will sanction errant civil servants who fail to be in their offices by 8:10 a.m.

“Issue of waste management and disposal, quick win industries, regeneration of forests, agriculture with a focus on rice, installation of processing plants will also be addressed.

“Similarly, Bakassi issue is one of the issues I will address in my first 100 days in office with a practical solution.

“We have also resolved to construct a dual carriage access road from Calabar to Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu to move products from northern and southern parts of Nigeria to Calabar Port,” he said.

According to the governor, Calabar is in a position to be a sea port hub that can serve up to Niger Republic to create a huge economy that will have a ripple effect “to give jobs to our people.”

The governor also restated his administration’s resolve to build a state-owned seaport under the Public Private Partnership and the support of the Federal Government.

He said that his administration would create a new income base in Cross River.

“People must ask government to be accountable for their welfare. Therefore, it is my job to put food on the table of people.

“Personally, I provided Ayade Motors Transport Service as a subsidised means of transport to the people of Cross River.

“It is a responsibility of government to create jobs. I do not intend to drop, sack or reduce appointments in Cross River. But I am a change agent here to purify the system.

“It is my duty to block all leakages. I will not reduce political appointees, but will re-frame their mindset about their job schedule,” he also said. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ayade.