The economy of Cross River state has grown by an average of 7.5 per cent since 2011, Prof. Ndem Ayara, Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission said in Calabar on Tuesday.

Ayara who made this known while briefing newsmen, said that since the law establishing the commission came into effect in 2007; it had ensured implementation of government policies and programmes in line with the medium-term economic plan.

He said that from 2009 to date, the state had implemented more than 70 per cent of its medium-term plan.

“The plan contains activities usually a performance contract between Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), government and the people of Cross River, ‘’ he said.

Ayara listed funding and capacity gap as some of the challenges facing the commission.

He observed that the various MDAs in the state were gradually building their capacity to enable them key into the various reforms being implemented by government.

He stated that the population of Cross River was 3.2 million in 2011.

Ayara said Gov. Sen. Liyel Imoke had signed into law, the bill to make the Bureau of Statistics a parastatal agency under the commission.

According to the special adviser, planning assists the government in comparing its performances each year, while the commission undertakes a lot of research.

He said the commission was also responsible for the publication of economic performance review.

“The review enables us do adjustment where necessary; enables us to know the feelings of the communities and individuals on social services provided by the government.

“It also helps us to get information on the poverty level of the rural people and the impact of government empowerment programmes.

“It also helps to ascertain the infrastructure needs of the communities,” Ayara added.