The Cross River government has said that the death of its commissioner for tourism, Abubakar Ewa, will be a setback to ongoing reforms in the sector.

Erasmus Ekpang, the information commissioner, said this in Calabar on Friday.

Mr Ewa, 61, who died on Wednesday at a private hospital in Calabar, was attending the state executive council meeting before being rushed to the hospital.

Mr Ekpang said the government and people of Cross River were deeply shocked and traumatised by Mr Ewa’s sudden death.

He said that the late commissioner brought a lot of innovations and positive transformations to the state’s tourism sector.

”He will be remembered for his significant contribution to tourism sector development. The tourism ministry witnessed significant growth and positive changes under his watch. His death will significantly affect the sector,” he said.

Mr Ekpang described the late Mr Ewa as a team player, trailblazer, mobiliser and grassroots politician who positively impacted many people’s lives in the state.

(NAN)