Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke has said that irrigation and water supply projects of Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) are of great benefit to the agrarian communities of the state.

He sated this on Wednesday in Calabar, while receiving board members of the authority led by its Chairman, Chief Williams Makinde, who paid him a courtesy visit.

Imoke said that the state would continue to partner with the authority so that its communities would continue to benefit from its activities.

He also called for the completion of all on going projects that were critical to the economic growth of the people.

He said the authority’s water scheme would complement the effort of the state in its quest to provide water to the about 30,000 households across the state.

The governor expressed the optimism that the initiative would help to expand and strengthen the vision of the state water board.  Imoke also noted that the irrigation project in Yala Local Government Area would be of great significance to the people, a predominantly rice-growing community.

Imoke said he was in constant touch with the Permanent Secretary, Federal  Ministry of Water Resources to fast track all ongoing projects initiated by the basin authority in Cross River.

According to him the Kwa Falls Dam, an irrigation project initiated by the authority, will be of agricultural advantage to the people.

It will also generate power to boost the various industrial projects within and outside the Akamkpa Local Government Area where it is located.

The governor further expressed satisfaction over the basin authority’s decision  to terminate contracts of non-performing contractors.

Responding, Makinde said that since the inauguration of the board, the authority had executed several water supply, erosion/drainage/flood control and irrigation projects.