Governor Otu Seeks Private Sector Partnerships for Coastal City and Agri-Industrial Projects

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has initiated high-level investment discussions aimed at attracting major public-private partnerships to advance the state’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors.

The strategic talks, held at the governor’s residence in Abuja, focused on two major developmental initiatives: the proposed Calabar Atlantic Coastal City Project and the Cross River Integrated Food Security and Agri-Industrial Development Project. The administration intends for these projects to stimulate long-term economic growth, expand regional infrastructure, and generate jobs while reinforcing food security across the state.

Governor Otu emphasized that the proposed collaborations align with his administration’s commitment to sustainable development and economic diversification. He noted that the state is actively pursuing innovative partnerships that blend commercial viability with environmental protection to position Cross River as a competitive destination for international investment.

The investment delegation was led by Frederic Degret, the United Nations Envoy on Ocean and Climate Action and Chief Executive Officer of NOAH ReGen. Degret highlighted the state’s natural assets and strategic geographic advantages, noting that the coastal city project is envisioned as a world-class sustainable development. He added that the parallel agricultural initiative is designed to strengthen localized supply chains and boost overall food production.

Furthermore, NOAH ReGen Co-Founder and Deputy CEO, Jennifer Warren, affirmed the organization’s commitment to developing inclusive projects that yield measurable social and economic impacts for local communities. Following the initial talks, both parties agreed to advance to deeper technical engagements to establish the implementation frameworks for the two major projects.