The Cross River State Government has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the World Bank to strengthen governance reforms and align development priorities with national frameworks.
This Monday, representatives of Governor Bassey Otu paid a working visit to the BPSR headquarters in Abuja to fine-tune arrangements ahead of a high-level Policy Retreat on National Assembly Matters scheduled for September 2025 at the Calabar International Convention Centre.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, commended the state government for prioritising reforms and institutional strengthening.
He noted that the partnership would not only reposition Cross River’s public service for greater efficiency but also ensure that reforms are tailored to local realities while aligning with global best practices.
“This engagement reflects our shared commitment to reposition the public service for greater effectiveness, accountability, and citizen-centered service delivery,” Arabi said, adding that the Bureau views the collaboration as an opportunity to demonstrate practical outcomes in governance.
The three-day retreat, hosted by the Government of Cross River State in collaboration with the BPSR and the World Bank, will bring together legislators, the executive, development partners, and other stakeholders under the theme, “Towards a Collective Development Agenda: Aligning Institutions, Executive, Legislature and Stakeholders for Inclusive Growth.”
The Head of Strategic Communications, BPSR, Aliyu Umar, explained that a central objective of the retreat is to provide a platform for dialogue among key stakeholders on shaping a uniform and results-oriented development agenda.
He said: “It will encourage frank discussions between the executive, legislature, and development partners on ways to synchronize their roles in driving growth.
“The forum also seeks to foster stronger collaboration between local governments, the state, and federal institutions, recognizing that coordinated governance is essential to delivering inclusive development.”
According to him, by deepening institutional cooperation, the retreat aims to strengthen the policy linkages needed for more effective implementation of government programmes.
“Another priority is to align legislative action with the state’s development strategies,” he said, adding, “Lawmakers at both state and national levels are expected to deliberate on how legislative frameworks can be better synchronised with Cross River’s medium and long-term plans to achieve consistency and continuity in governance.
“Equally, the retreat will explore innovative policy frameworks and reforms that promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
“This involves examining new models of governance and public service delivery that emphasize accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
“Finally, the programme will deepen engagement with the World Bank and other development partners, thereby harmonizing external support with Cross River State’s homegrown development priorities.
“This collaboration is expected to unlock opportunities in financing, capacity building, and technical support to drive reforms.
“The event will climax with the presentation of a Cross River State Development Commitment Framework, consolidating resolutions from technical workshops and plenary sessions into actionable strategies for sustainable development.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on National Assembly Matters, who is coordinating the programme, noted that the retreat represents “a bold step towards harmonising legislative and executive roles in shaping Cross River State’s development trajectory while deepening collaboration with federal and international partners.”
