25/09/2026
JOHN UPAN ODEY ON WHAT CAN CHANGE FOR THE ORDINARY CROSS RIVERIAN.
A political agenda should not only be about policies, promises, and government programmes. It should answer one simple question:
What will actually change in the life of the ordinary Cross Riverian?
That is the purpose of A FRESH START ...One People, One Cross River.
The Odey-Archibong Agenda is focused on building a Cross River where government action translates into tangible opportunities, better services, and improved livelihoods for people across all 18 Local Government Areas.
So, wha can changes?
1) Lower production costs.
When power, infrastructure, and the business environment improve, farmers, artisans, manufacturers, traders, and small businesses can produce more efficiently, reduce avoidable costs, and become more competitive.
2) Better access to electricity.
The agenda places reliable power at the center of economic development, including a Power Delivery Unit within the first 100 days, community-based electricity solutions, and a target of 60 community mini-grids and 75,000 meters by 2031. Because electricity should not simply mean a connection to the grid. It should mean the ability to work, study, preserve agricultural produce, operate a business, and create value.
3) Stronger rural economies.
Under the principle “We Produce. We Process. We Prosper,” the focus is on making agriculture and rural enterprise more productive, while strengthening the link between production, processing, markets and income.
The objective is simple: keep more value and more money within Cross River.
4) More employment and opportunities.
A productive economy creates room for jobs, enterprise, and skills development. The agenda connects economic development with opportunities for young people, workers, entrepreneurs, and communities, so that prosperity is not concentrated in a few places.
5) Improved healthcare access.
The agenda proposes stronger primary healthcare, better rural health access, and a 196-Ward Health Plan, bringing healthcare closer to communities while improving the capacity of the health system to serve people where they live.
6) Better roads and infrastructure.
Infrastructure should connect people to markets, schools, hospitals, workplaces, and opportunities. Better connectivity means farmers can move produce, businesses can reach customers, and communities can participate more fully in the state economy.
7) A stronger tourism and investment economy: Cross River's tourism potential should extend beyond Carnival. The agenda proposes community participation in tourism development, including Community Tourism Funds, while creating an environment where investment can generate jobs, enterprise, and local economic activity.
8) More transparent and accountable government: A FRESH START is also about rebuilding public trust. The government should be more transparent, communities should have a stronger voice, and public resources should be connected to measurable outcomes.
The bigger picture
The Odey-Archibong Agenda is about moving Cross River from potential to productivity.
From production to processing.
From processing to prosperity.
From communities being left behind to communities participating in development.
From government promises to measurable delivery.
We will Produce. We will Process. We will Prosper- because a FRESH START should not only be something people hear about , It should be something they can see, experience, and benefit from in their everyday lives.
Do you want to know how we want to achieve this? Drop your questions in the comment section. Let us dialogue.
Have a FRESH Morning.
- John Upan Odey
Ndc Cross river ,
Governorship Candidate.
A FRESH START.
ONE PEOPLE. ONE CROSS RIVER.
