Cross River to Reclaim NPC Office Building for Stadium Hotel Expansion

The Cross River State Government has finalized plans to take over the dilapidated bungalow currently housing the National Population Commission (NPC) in Calabar to facilitate the expansion of the UJ Esuene Stadium hotel complex.

Following a weekly cabinet meeting, the state government announced its decision to relocate the NPC from its current location, which sits beside the UJ Esuene Stadium hotel and directly opposite the State Library in the heart of the state capital.

According to a communiqué signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, "Exco has approved the sum of N125,000,000 to facilitate the purchase of a permanent office accommodation for NPC in the State. This will pave the way for the realisation of the Calabar Sports Hotel and Resort at the Commission's present location."

To address the NPC's accommodation needs, Governor Senator Bassey Otu has donated a new office complex to the commission. Barrister Alex Ukam, the Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State at the NPC, confirmed that the new facility is valued at over N500 million.

Ukam disclosed this information during a public conference and advocacy campaign organized by the commission to raise awareness about their activities and the importance of registering births and deaths.

"I have to thank the President, Alhaji Bola Tinubu for all the support he is giving to us in Cross River. I particularly commend Gov Bassey Otu for giving us a brand new office complex worth over N500m," Ukam stated.

He added, "By the time we will have another interaction, it will be in our new and comfortable office complex. We are grateful to the state government for their support."

When Ukam assumed office nearly a year ago, one of his initial tasks was to undertake extensive refurbishment of the commission's current dilapidated office. He had previously noted that the building was not befitting compared to the commission's offices in other states and acknowledged that the state government has been very supportive throughout the process.

The relocation is expected to significantly improve the working conditions for NPC staff while enabling the state government to proceed with its development plans for the stadium hotel complex.

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