The Governor of Cross Rivers State, Ben Ayade has appointed a special assistant on Groundnut Oil Factory as well as 426 others as aides.
The new appointments by Governor Ayade comes as an economic recession looms due to the effects of dwindling oil revenues and the Coronavirus pandemic.
The appointment of 427 new aides was announced by the Governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, Christian Ita on Monday.
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The new appointees include Chairmen, State Agencies Board Members and special assistants, including one for groundnut oil factory.
This brings the total number of political aides in Cross Rivers to 597 after 90 aides were appointed in January.
According to Christian Ita, the appointments were made to reduce social tension and create jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The special assistant on media said Governor Ben Ayade only needs five percent of the appointments to function.
Mr. Ita also clarified that the special assistant on Groundnut Oil Factory became necessary because of the groundnut oil factory being built by the Cross Rivers State Government.
“There’s nothing wrong with that given that we’re building a groundnut oil factory. Besides it is the duty of government to create jobs for its citizens.
“The governor has said repeatedly that he only needs about 5 per cent of his appointees. So he deliberately creates this jobs to put food on the table so as to reduce social tension.”