Development Partners operating in Cross River State have unanimously resolved to enhance synergy among themselves to accelerate balanced development across the state.
They also agreed that it is increasingly necessary for partners to document and report innovations emerging from their respective delivery platforms as a means of ensuring inclusive participation by key stakeholders.
This consensus was reached during the group’s monthly meeting for April 2026, held at the CUSO International Office, 43/44 Nsefik Layout, off Marian Road, Calabar. The resolution followed a report presented by the Head of Operations of the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Mr. Godwin Ador, who briefed members on the status of the State Social Register (SSR) and the ongoing expansion exercise being conducted alongside the register’s update.
Mr. Ador explained that the update targets individuals already on the SSR whose records are incomplete or contain missing information, while the expansion exercise aims to enroll new persons into the register to enable them to benefit from upcoming interventions. He noted that state-level programs—including the State Cash Transfer, Public Workfare, and the Cross River Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA)—all draw their beneficiaries from the SSR.
He further stated that federal government interventions, such as the ₦25,000 and ₦75,000 payments, are disbursed to beneficiaries using the SSR, and that a partnership exists with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to include refugees in the register. Mr. Ador called on partners to help educate community members on the importance of registration, enabling them to benefit from the federal government’s Renewed Hope program and other forthcoming initiatives.
In his remarks, the alternate chairman and State Coordinator of the Labour Intensive Public Workfare, Mr. Okama Finian, thanked members for their dedication and continued commitment to the forum. He urged partners to intensify their activities in support of the state government’s development efforts. Mr. Finian also expressed concern over late attendance at the meeting and called for improved punctuality among members.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of the Ministry, Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Balingwo Ofegobi, advised participants to take the meetings more seriously, noting that the forum is primarily intended for heads of delivery platforms. He assured that he would brief the commissioner accordingly and expressed appreciation to partners for the quality of deliberations.
Highlights of the meeting included progress reports from the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA), the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), and the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES). The agenda also featured updates on the schedule of upcoming meetings, presiding partners, and a roll call of attendees. A total of 34 development partners, representing various projects and programs, were present.
Iloke Egbe
