CROSS RIVER STATE FLOATING AN AIRLINE; INGENUITY

In a land of feeding bottle federalism and a time of economic recession, it is very laudable to see some leaders initiate projects that encourage development.

Cross River state, by November, will launch its airline "Cally Air". According to the state governor, Ben Ayade, it is going to be a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. It will fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes.
This is really a commendable initiative by the state government. It is coming at a time when the nation is experiencing cash crunch; when other states cannot pay full salaries; and when the country is in a recession. The potential of this airline cannot be overemphasized. It will create jobs for people. It will also boost the state's tourism sector and invariably its economy. This is because it could attract people to Obudu mountain resort located in Obudu (which is one of the airline's routes). Tinapa resort in Calabar could also benefit from it. The airline is flying Abuja and Lagos routes obviously to attract people to Cross River (at least for tourism) because those cities have market. Apart from the tourism and job creation benefits, the airline would bring income for the state government. It is a PPP arrangement for better efficiency than when it is entirely left to the government.
This is the kind of thing that states need to be doing rather than depending on federal government allocation. It is also more realistic and better than the back to agriculture program set up by various states because they cannot pay salaries. What is needed is effective management.