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Tag: Ayade

  • Ayade’s politics with ethics

    One of the biggest campaign issues in the United States of America in the last one decade or so is about the fact that Washington is broken and badly in need of fixing. This is because the American politicians now view every policy or programme of government from the narrow prism of partisanship. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, has found it difficult to have any of his programmes or policies passed by the congress-controlled Republican Party.

    Sadly, this situation exists also in our clime, with politicians from the two leading political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), acting more like enemies than compatriots, who must work together for the good of the country.

    However, like William Shakespeare said, there is always an exception to the general rule. That exception in Nigeria today appears to be the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade.

    Since assuming office on May 29, 2015, Ayade has maintained a very warm, cordial and close relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The President is of the APC while the Governor is of the PDP.

    Indeed, it is on record that the first state visit embarked upon by the President after assuming office on May 29, 2015 was to Cross River State to flag-off the construction of a very ambitious project; the 260km superhighway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport. Ayade hopes that when these two projects are completed, the state’s dependence on federal allocation would be decoupled forever.

    Months after that President’s visit on that rainy day in October, 2015, the wife of the President was to also pay a visit to the state. She was in the state to flag off her social safety net initiative, “Project Future Assured” for the mother and newborns; launch Dr. Lynda Ayade’s  Mediatrix Development Foundation and also commission two health centres in Ikom.

    It bears mentioning that President Buhari’s visit to Cross River was preceded by that of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to the state, a couple of months after being sworn in. As it stands, Cross River is among the few states, if not the only state visited by the President, the President’s wife and the Vice-President within the first year of their presidency.

    This harmony between the presidency and Cross River under Ayade’s watch has, however, caused his party, the PDP and some elements of the APC in his state considerable discomfort.  Understandably so, given that it is rare in this part of the world for politicians of opposing political parties to be on speaking terms, how much more having a very warm relationship. Yet it is this sort of collaboration we need if development must not continue to elude us as a people.

    For Ayade, governance takes primacy over politics once elections are over. He understands that history will only be kind to him on account of how he impacted on the lives of his people and not the many political battles he fought and won or lost. As such, he has been preoccupied with providing leadership to his people as his administration takes one progressive step after another towards the new horizon of prosperity and happiness which he promised at his inauguration in 2015 to bequeath.

    Armed with a prodigious intellect and business acumen, it is not lost on Ayade that for Cross River as a federating unit to actualize its ambition of transforming from a third world to a first world, it needs the support of the federal government.

    But it is not just for the sake of Cross River that Ayade is friends with the first family.

    Ayade’s campaign which saw him berth at the Government House in Calabar was anchored on the philosophy that politics must be guided by ethics; hence the slogan; Politics with Ethics.

    On this philosophy, the good in an individual must not be obstructed or blurred by politics. And that no individual should be denied the opportunity to contribute to the development of the society simply on account of the political party he or she belongs.

    He adores and respects the president for the principles he represents, the principles of honesty, hard work and love for country.

    In forming his cabinet, the governor cast his net far and wide. It matters not to him which political party an individual belongs to once he can identify capacity and ability to deliver.  This explains why for instance, the state chairman of Labour Party (LP), Austin Ibok is the special Adviser to the governor on Inter-Party Affairs.

    Within his PDP, he found accommodation for those who even worked against his emergence, first as the party’s gubernatorial candidate and later as governor. Through concrete actions and not just precepts, Ayade has shown that he is above politics of pettiness, hate and party lines. This is certainly a new approach to politics that should be encouraged.

    Washington will give anything to have a person with Ayade’s philosophical understanding emerge as its next president to unite a political class divided by party lines. Tellingly, Ayade’s relationship with the presidency has not in any way weakened the dominance of his party in the state.

    The recent re-run election into Yakurr II State Constituency, despite the governor’s absence from the state on a working visit to Europe, Asia and South America wooing investors, was won by the PDP in spite of the fact that most of APC’s leaders in the state come from the area.

    What this revealed was that Ayade has a persona that attracts and galvanizes one with a buy-in personality. He is a good husbandry of ideas and creativity. He is like a midwife who is ever ready to deliver the next generation into the world.

  • Ayade to build homes for Bakassi returnees

    Ayade to build homes for Bakassi returnees

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has awarded the contract to build affordable homes for displaced Bakassi Peninsula residents.

    The people of the peninsula were displaced, following its ceding to Cameroon in 2007.

    The government said N200 million had been set aside for the project.

    Ayade spoke yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, when he hosted the Chairman of Lafarge Africa, Mr. Bolaji Balogun, and his management team.

    The governor said his administration would partner the cement manufacturers to actualise the project.

    He said: “We are a responsible state that is sensible to the needs of our people. We want you to do a small pilot for the people of Bakassi returnees. I will like to do a small commitment with N200 million to start the resettlement process.

    “These are people who we feel so emotional about; people who have been deprived and displaced from their heritage. There is nothing worse than that which could happen to a man. We want to find a permanent solution to their plight.”

    On the capacity of the company to complete the project, Ayade said: “Given your advantage of scale, the quality of work so far delivered in other projects you handled and the expertise deployed to deliver, I am confident that this initiative alone will bring unprecedented prosperity to the company and the state as we collaborate.

  • Ayade: Calabar to enjoy 24-hour power

    Ayade: Calabar to enjoy 24-hour power

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has said most parts of the state, beginning with Calabar, the state capital, will soon enjoy 24-hour power supply.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Calabar when he hosted the management team of Skipperseil, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) firm, whose officials were in the state to build a 100 megawatts (MW) solar farm.

    Ayade recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai-based energy firm.

    The governor noted that embedded power generation was key to achieving the target.

    He said: “It is the only way the state government can control what it generates to provide the electricity needs of the big factories coming into the state.

    “Given challenges we have in the country, with power generation on the decline, we cannot afford to bring the big factories into this state while waiting for a national solution.

    “So, with this robust project of additional 100 MW and putting it into the national grid, we have no control on how the national grid will distribute the 100 MW. That is why we are looking at an embedded generation system where, within the shortest time, we will deploy a minimum of 38 MW to Calabar. That way, we are guaranteeing a 24-hour power supply within the shortest time.”

    Group President of Skipper T&D, a division of SkipperSeil group, Jitender Sachdeva, said the project was based on the MoU between the state and his firm during the governor’s visit to Dubai.

    Sachdeva, who was accompanied by the joint President and CFO of SkipperSeil Limited, Praveen Gupta, said an advance team from the firm conducted studies in Ogoja, Ikom and other areas.

    Jitendei noted that the transmission studies were carried out so that power could be connected to the transmission network.

    He said the solar farm would be “the biggest organised solar farm in Nigeria”.

    Jitendei said: “Our main aim is to support the governor to light up Cross River State.

    “All said and done, we should be providing approximately 40 MW in 365 days. Forty MW is a permanent solution; the temporary solution like the diesel-fired or gas-fired will be 38 MW, which will give a standing support in the current situation where there is no power to support the industries.”

     

  • Construction, construction everywhere as Ayade drives growth

    Construction, construction everywhere as Ayade drives growth

    The presence of earth moving equipment seems to have become a common feature, across Cross River State, turning the state into a beehive of construction activities.

    Ranging from extreme machines, such as litronic crawler excavators, compactors to cranes, creeks are being dredged, hills leveled, valleys and contours filled, while grounds are compacted, all in a bid to pave way for the deep seaport, the, rice city project, a pharmaceutical company, poultry products etc.

    The Goodluck Jonathan By-pass in Calabar, once a desolate by-pass, has suddenly morphed into massive construction sites with the attendant spinoff in housing projects along the road.

    •Ayade
    •Ayade

    When Governor Ben Ayade took over the mantle of leadership, he had promised to transform its economy to one of a beacon to others in the country.

    The governor has also traversed various continents and countries marketing the huge potentials abound in the state to local and international investors who have been coming into the state to tap into the opportunities that abound.

    On such trips, he has also ensured the brokerage and signings of deals as well as MoUs with sundry foreign firms and governments.

    So far, the governor has had a horde of critics who are very skeptical of his ambitions, but he appears to refuse to be sidetracked by consistently staying focused to his vision and programmes for the state.

    Most of his projects are progressively coming to life. One of them is the Calabar Garment Factory, the largest garment factory in Africa set for commissioning in April. Another is the Calabar Pharmaceutical firm (Calapharm) adjacent the garment factory. Directly opposite Calapharm and the garment factory is an ongoing clearing of a 3, 000 hectare of land meant for the proposed rice city by a Thai-African Corporation Limited.

    The Director of Operations, Healthage Nigeria Limited, Farhan Ahmad Khan, said the company is determined to set up a World Health Organization standard and approved pharmaceutical factory with registered products by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Upon completion, Calapharm is expected to meet the drugs requirement need of the state as well as the Nigerian market, just as it would also save capital flight.

    According to Thai-African Corporation Limited, a leading rice producer in Thailand, the rice city project is estimated at US$4 million. The construction of the Rice City Is expected to take at least six months.

    The Managing Director of Thai-Africa Corporation, Mrs. Pantipa Dhanagom, who was conducted round the project site, had disclosed that the scheme would be a rice seedling centre with the best rice seed to be grown in the area. “It will become a training centre and a one-stop service which will also cater for out-growers in Nigeria and other African countries,” she said.

    On the choice of the project site, the MD agreed that “The land is suitable and it is also the best location because it is right on the highway and similar to the one Ayade inspected in Thailand.”

    Early this year, former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Taminu Turaki led an investment delegation comprising his sons and some of his partners to the governor seeking to invest in sugar cane farming.

    Many perceive that the developments in the state are further pointers to the fact Ayade is on track to achieve the industrialisation and a complete change of the story by fast-tracking  the state as an industrial hub.

    The China Railway Engineering Group, a Fortune 500 company, has indicated a strong commitment to invest in the signature projects embarked upon by the Cross River State Government.

    This was the outcome of an intense discussion between the representatives of the Chinese firms and the state government in Calabar last week.

    Leader of the group and International Business Manager, China Railway Engineering, Mr. Chao Yang, disclosed that the group has a pool of multi-billion dollar funds that is readily available waiting to be drawn by developing partners for any economically viable investment anywhere in the world.

    Yang said they were in Cross River because they felt the state is moving in the right direction considering the type of projects it is embarking on.

    Fallouts from the governor’s high profile investment trips have seen other international firms like Chinese truck manufacturing company, SINO Truck of China finalising a deal to establish an assembly plant in Calabar.

    According to Wang, the setting up of the assembly plant which would start in two phases, would flag off the first phase with a service centre for all the company’s trucks in Nigeria.

    The second phase, Wang disclosed, is the full establishment of SINO Assembly Plant for the production of heavy duty trucks in the state.

    On the choice of Calabar, Wang cited the peaceful investment climate in the state as one of the motivating factors, adding that “Cross River is the most peaceful in the South South with an enduring weather that has a huge potential for the development of trucks and is good for industry establishment.”

    Similarly, Irish property developers, Affordable Building Concept International, were in the state recently to concretize a partnership deal to develop and manage low cost housing estates across the state.

    Described as “specialists in low cost housing scheme” the firm’s presence was a follow up to an earlier discussion held in Dublin on the provision of cheap, but durable houses in every local government.

    While taking advantage of the peaceful investment climate in the state, Australia is also looking at solid minerals, agriculture, fabrication as well as energy sectors in which to invest.

    Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar. He said his country is willing to collaborate with the state government to develop some identified sites and turn them into viable business ventures.

    Like Australia, Canada also identified health, fishery and agro forestry as areas of collaboration with the state for skills acquisition, trainings and micro financing for entrepreneurship.

    The partnership, an outcome of a meeting between Ayade and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry John Calderwood which held in the governor’s office in Calabar, came on the heels of several others with countries that view the state as strategic and secure for investments.

    Calderwood announced a 15 million dollar-window program for skill acquisition, training and microfinance for youths in the areas of agro-forestry, fisheries and agriculture.

    A team from Liebherr Equipment manufacturing company was in Calabar from Germany to conduct an assessment of the soil texture for the deployment of earthmoving tools for the deep seaport and the superhighway.

    While this may not immediately begin to bear fruits, there is no denying the fact that in less than a year in office, the state has become a beehive of construction activities.

  • ‘Ayade hasn’t violated any law on foreign trip’

    ‘Ayade hasn’t violated any law on foreign trip’

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has not violated the constitution by travelling abroad without transmitting a letter to House of Assembly Speaker, his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, said yesterday.

    Ita said the constitution mandates the governor to write to the Speaker only when he is proceeding on his annual leave or medical leave.

    “The governor is on a working visit to countries, including Canada, where he and members of the executive council are attending the biggest mining conference in the world, on the invitation of the Canadian government.

    “Under Section 190, the governor does not need to transmit any letter to the Speaker unless he is on annual leave or medical leave.

    “Under Section 193, the governor can assign his responsibility to his deputy or a commissioner whether he is on leave or not.

    ‘’The deputy governor can only act as governor when the governor is on leave or incapable and transmit the declaration in writing to the Speaker.”

    The statement urged the public to  ignore the ignorance peddled…on the issue.”

     

  • Between Ayade and his many critics

    Between Ayade and his many critics

    Recently, the social media and other media platforms have been awash with propaganda aimed at distorting and tarnishing the image of Governor Ben Ayade and suppress the good work he is doing in Cross River State. A few days ago, a chieftain of the APC and a senior lawyer, Okoi Obono Obla, procured a space on the AIT Television platform, Kakaki, to lampoon the governor on the travails of some defectors from the PDP to the APC. He centered his allegation of persecution on Hon. Paul Adah, Prince Goddy Jeddy Agba and Barrister Vena Ikem. He also claimed that the governor was working hard and desperate to defect to the APC- and that the governor will not be admitted to the party, APC. Others have criticized the appointments made by the governor, particularly, the enlarged executive council membership.

    Obono Obla particularly got it wrong. The personalities he mentioned in his interview are from Obudu, the same local government area with the governor. They cannot pose any threat to the governor’s ambition in any form to warrant persecution. The events culminating to Mr. Vena Ikem’s declaration as a wanted person by the Nigerian Police are unfortunate. But to locate his travails on Governor Ayade is simply a prank to galvanize public sympathy and raise his stakes in the new party which he has defected to. The governor has absolutely nothing to do with his Police or attempted murder charges preferred against him in the court. After all, it is Ayade who used his public goodwill and office to award the first contract for the supply of refuse bins amounting to over N125 million to Mr. Vena Ikem upon assumption of office as Governor of Cross River State on 29th of May, 2015. The contract was awarded on the 30th of May, 2015.

      It is wicked and very ridiculous to associate the criminal attack on Hon. Paul Adah’s house with the office and person of Ayade. While the incident is regrettable, the governor has nothing whatsoever to gain by orchestrating a threat to the life of such a cherished brother of his. (Ayade has appointed his brother of the same parents, Mr. Richard Adah and his in-law, Mr. Christopher Ikposhi (Mr. Ikposhi is married to Hon. Paul’s elder sister of the same parents) into very sensitive positions in his government.

    Does it not sound absurd to say that the governor harbours any animosity against Hon. Paul Adah? The friendship between Prince Goddy Jeddy Agba and His Excellency, Prof Ayade, has a history. This is the reason why Prince Jeddy Agba found it easy and convenient to quickly reconcile himself and moved on to work with the governor to actualize the Northern Cross River ambition of producing a governor in 2015. It is by-standers and political merchants that are creating an impression of a gulf between this two great friends and brothers from Obudu.

    Without any equivocation, Cross River State remains a PDP State. The governor is a leading PDP member in the state and has no ambition to defect from PDP to APC. It is smart economic sense and of benefit for a governor in opposition who intends to achieve much for his people and state, to cultivate a beneficial working relationship with the President of his country.

    This is what the governor has established. It is this special relationship the governor has with President Muhamadu Buhari that is being mismanaged and misconstrued as an indication of his desire to defect to APC.  Supposing, the governor actually has any intention to defect to the APC, can any of these persons stop him from doing so? None of them has the clout and the right connection to stop the governor if that is his desire.

    He is a very dedicated and focused professional who understands when and how politics is played. He is presently occupied with bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of Cross River State. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ayade is the leader of PDP in Cross River State and he remains so.

    His policy of running an all-inclusive government by expanding the opportunities for more people to participate in government has been consistently criticized and largely misunderstood, especially, during this period of economic down-turn. The simplest explanation we can give is that during recession or depression, many people become despondent and require some form of cushioning to overcome the hardship within which period, programmes are activated by government to restore the economic fortunes.

    The governor has concluded income redistribution matrix to accommodate the number of appointees. This means that rather than a few families benefitting, greater number of families would now be able to meet their most pressing obligations, such as payment of children school fees, take care of their medicals and put food on their tables. It is important to note that the number of appointments made, will not substantially affect other sectorial development needs of the administration. Ayade is well known for his resourcefulness, strategic planning and successful implementation of programmes. It is his determination and commitment to see Cross River State re-emerge as one of the leading industrialized, most developed state with a happy citizenry. This he hopes to achieve through programmes like raising of the standard of education both qualitatively and quantitatively, creation of employment for the teeming unemployed youths, widows and disabled citizens of the state, among others.

    However, more mystified than critical, is the fact that even when progress is made, the opposition seem to disbelieve and label it something else. This is arising perhaps from the fact that the governor has become a compelling figure for daring the areas where others cannot venture. We urge all and sundry, particularly the opposition to join hands with Ayade to build Cross River State of our pride and dream.

    —Undiandeye wrote in from Calabar

  • Ayade, solid mineral resources and limelight

    Ayade, solid mineral resources and limelight

    Cross River is one of the most richly endowed states in Nigeria with vast solid minerals resources which 28 of such minerals have been identified and recorded.

    Having a firm knowledge of this fact, the incumbent governor of Cross River, Senator Benedict Ayade came into government with a firm commitment to look beyond the black gold or crude oil which the Nigerian nation and its component states have over-depended on for too long.

    It is based on this reality that Governor Benedict Ayade has always affirmed that he inherited a rich state, not in terms of billions or trillions of naira stashed away for the present and future generations of Cross Riverians, but the many natural resources which God has bestowed the state which we can use our human endowments, our brains to harness into productive ventures for the overall development of the state and its people.

    Following the same line of reasoning, Ayade further posited that rather taxing his people who are already not financially strong, his administration will instead task the brains and come out with ways, investors who will put in their monies to develop the various mineral resources of Cross River to financially empowered and create a robust future for the state and its people.

    To ensure the realization of the said objectives, the Ayade administration, through the Cross River Ministry of Solid Mineral resources, headed by an equally able lieutenant as Commissioner, George Oben-Etch is assiduously working to collaborate with serious minded investors and entrepreneurs to establish various factories and industries whose raw materials would be derived from the abundant solid minerals endowed the state by the creator, God.

    The factories which the plans for their establishment are on top gear include three quarries, salt processing factory, cement and tarpaulin factories and ceramic industry.

    Commissioner for Solid Mineral Resources, George Oben-Etch who disclosed this while speaking to news men in his office in Calabar recently explained that the three quarries would be sited one each in the three senatorial districts of the state, salt factory at Yala, cement factories at Akamkpa to tape the rich lime stones deposit that could still accommodate four more factories, just as ceramic and tarpaulin factories will also be established in the state to ensure the prudent exploration and exploitation of the state’s solid mineral resources to boost the revenue profile and economic empowerment of the people.

    Oben-Etch who stated that Cross River is the second largest state with the largest deposit of 28 different solid mineral resources, mentioned some of the minerals to include limestone, granite, tantalite, zinc, gold, salt etc., adding, he explained that the establishment of a tarpaulin manufacturing factory in Cross River would be profitable bearing in mind the numbers of trucks which come in and out of the state on daily basis.

    The Solid Minerals Commissioner further disclosed that  Yala Local Government Area has over 3 Billion Cubic deposit of salt and that salt processing factory has been earmarked for the area, just as government is also planning to establish a ceramic industry in Cross River, explaining that the turning of attention to the development of solid mineral resources was Governor Ayade sincere  commitment to diversify the economy even before the current nose-diving of the black gold which is Nigeria’s main commodity in the international market, and present number one foreign exchange earner.

    He said the Federal Government has given a go ahead to states to explore and exploit solid mineral deposits in their domain, adding that Cross River Government under the leadership of Senator Ben Ayade is taking advantage of this window of opportunity to develop this sector to create employments for the people of Cross River and equally generate revenue for the state.

    The Commissioner said that presently his ministry has sent geologists into the field who are carrying out in-depth mapping of the solid mineral deposits to determine their quality and the commercial viability of each of the solid mineral found in the state.

    Oben-Etch also disclosed that recently the Government of China announced that it has earmarked 60-65 Billon US Dollars to Africa for development of the sector and stated that if the state do well, it can attract some of the monies to itself, and that they were seeking to partner with reputable investors who will collaborate with the government and people of the state to develop the sector.

    The Solid Minerals Commissioner asserted that it was based on this premise that the issue of local content was of prime priority to the government, explaining that small miners of four to five persons of Cross River Origin were being encouraged to come together as a cooperative where they can access fund and technical expertise from investors who would be collaborating with government in that area, stating that this was necessary as economic empowerment of the people, according to him is a top priority to the administration of Senator Ayade.

    “There is nothing in this sector which we are talking about that will not be up and running. The International development Agencies for instance is interested in developing the solid minerals sector. Canada is one of those countries that are so involved in the extraction and production of solid minerals, Australia is also one of those countries. So these are countries and areas we need to bring in investors from and the investors are ready”.

    He went further to explain that “luckily for us, Cross River is considered to be one of the most secured states in the area of investment, that is why we are maintaining that security level which investors have commended and referred to us as the safest, blessed state with serene environment in Nigeria”, the Commissioner stated.

    Speaking further on partnership, the Commissioner said that they have been able to conclude arrangement with PW to come in and partner with government as well as other companies to come up with their equipment, while the government provide the license and regulate the operation, adding that by so doing the revenue profile of the state would bolster, as well as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria and Africa.

    Oben-Etch who called on Chiefs of solid minerals bearing areas to stop giving consent to every person who approaches them to invest in their areas explained that the ministry of solid minerals is now set to ensure that things are done right and that due diligence is follow and that companies are set up in accordance with best international practices and safety.

    The solid minerals based industries already mentioned to be established through the instrumentality of the Cross River Ministry of Solid Minerals, will in addition to other industries and factories such as the going garment factory, the Rice city and pharmaceutical factory which clearing is ongoing in the sites, among others are meant to properly place Cross River at the top chart of economic and industrial giants not only in Nigeria and Africa, but globally.

     

    • Ulayi is a media aide to Governor Ben Ayade

     

  • Ayade’s aide flays council chairmen for non-performance

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Party Affairs in Cross River State, Mr Austin Ibok, has flayed local government chairmen in the state for “abysmal performance in the last two and half years of their administration.”

    Mr Ibok, who is also the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP), in a statement made available to The Nation in Calabar yesterday, said, “as third tier of government, the local government councils are the first and most tangible contact with government and indeed democracy that the people have, hence the need for the chairmen to deliberately pursue the implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives aimed at improving  the lives of ordinary Cross Riverians, a feature completely lacking in the present crop of chairmen in the state.”

    “Two years after coming to power, it has become evident that the chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors have lived below expectations as clearly seen in their poor performance, misappropriation of funds as well as embarking on projects that have little or no value on the electorate leaving them to the mercies of God for survival and a total collapse of the local government system.

    “The desperation of some of the chairmen to get second terms in office has also led to massive embezzlement of public funds meant for developmental projects in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections and yet they shamefully go around to tell the electorate there are no funds. This leaves one to wonder how a business man will continue in a business that does not fetch him profit,” he said.

    He appealed to Governor Ben Ayade and the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSSIEC) to provide a level playing field for all contestants irrespective of party affiliation as the Labour Party under his watch is determined to “chase the PDP out of the 18 local government councils of the state.”

  • Ayade: why I have good rapport with Buhari

    Ayade: why I have good rapport with Buhari

    Cross River Governor Ben Ayade has said despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) he has a good working relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The governor said this is for the good of his state.

    Ayade, who addressed reporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, the state capital, noted that good governance should be the next step after elections.

    He said: “We did not seek office for the mere sake of politics. Politics is for service to your people. It is not politics for the sake of politics. So, for me, I am focused on ensuring that I work with the President for the good of my people in Cross River State.”

    Ayade said his relationship with President Buhari was based on the latter’s character, person and integrity.

    According to him, such virtues had endeared him to believing that “if I share my feelings with him, he won’t look at me as a Southern governor or PDP governor, and he has shown that in all ways”.

    The governor who frowned on what he called “cannibalistic style of politics, where everything is seen from the perspective of the next elections,” rhetorically asked: “How can a country spend its time running elections and copying a democracy that is not consistent with our habits as a people?”

  • X-raying Ayade’s 14-Point agenda for 2016

    One of the distinguishing traits of quality leadership is the uncanny ability to set attainable goals- short, medium and long term. While some goals may be achievable within a short term, there are those that require medium term attainability as well as others whose attainment are long term.

    In his New Year message to the people, Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade, outlined his strategic model that offered him the opportunity to go for what could be regarded as low hanging fruits. That is delivering on those aspect of developmental programmes or projects that do not require long term actualization.

    In an inspiring and galvanising message that heralded hope and confidence, Governor Ayade articulated a 14-point agenda that would be the prime focus of his administration in the current year.

    Christened “My 14-Point Agenda for 2016”, Ayade stated his resolve to give the necessary push that will ensure the concession of the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, just as he is equally ready to provide the requisite economic and political backing to prospect for oil and gas deposits in the state.

    The governor who charged the people of the state to view 2016 as “another unique opportunity to open up a new chapter filled with captivating elixir of hope” noted that “in the days ahead, we will catalyze the tempo of multi-sectoral turnaround of our dear state in spite of dwindling allocation from the federal coffers.”

    Very much in a hurry to accomplish so much within so short a time, Ayade also hinted that the monorail and the garment factory would be completed and commissioned this year. When commissioned, and any moment soon, the Monorail, which would be the first in operation in Nigeria, is expected to trigger a quantum effect in the economy of the state as it will further add to the tourism offerings of the state. In the same vein, the commissioning of the garment factory will significantly address the monstrous army of unemployment.

    Other critical areas which governor Ayade said full attention would be focused on include the completion of the detailed design and preconstruction work of Calas Vegas, a new cosmopolitan city to be berthed out of Calabar as well as two others in the two other senatorial districts of the state. It is also expected that before the end of the year, completion of the de-bushing of the superhighway corridor and the completion of the detailed design and securing of approval from the Federal Executive Council for the construction of the Deep seaport would have been achieved.

    Other projects to be executed in 2016 are the creation of new urban forests for climate change, establishing of the state Microfinance Bank to provide soft loans for the youths, ensuring a substantial stabilization of power and water supply in Calabar, and commencement of dredging of the seaport.

    Reconstruction of the Health and Education system of the state, activation of the Green Police and the commencement of construction of 5000 housing units for the no-income and the low income earners in Cross River would also be the very important areas that the Ayade-led administration will be giving full attention this year.

    The creation of new urban forests for climate change, besides its financial value chain in terms of revenue generation, will bring about employment creation for the newly established Green Police.

    Urban forests will help in beautifying the city of Calabar and other major towns like Ogoja, Obudu, Ikom and Ugep in a pristine way.

    The activation of the Green Police will help to curtail the activities of illegal loggers, thereby ensuring that the state gets a great chunk of the funds set aside by the World Bank and the United Nations for Africa and the third world countries to battle climate change.

    There is no doubt that we have many young, vibrant and articulate Cross Riverians with the immense capacity and training to become cutting-edge entrepreneurs, but are incapacitated by paucity of fund and  lack of access to facilities and guarantors. The establishment of Cross River State Microfinance Bank to provide soft loans Cross Riverians would certainly be the panacea to turn things around in this regards.

    From Governor Ayade’s  New  Year message, it clear that he fully appreciates the import of a healthy citizenry as wealth-drivers of the economy, which is why he is demonstrating a strong commitment to the task of reconstruction of the health and education system of the state. The benefits of doing so are enormous, just as the consequences of are better imagined than real. Ayade understands this very well and wants to be in the right side of history.

    A governor whose soul is sold completely on improving the wellbeing of his people he cannot afford to delay the commencement of the construction of the 5000 units of houses for those without income and the low income of the state. Earlier, he had sworn never to see any Cross Riverian live in thatched houses, a scenario he considers subhuman and dehumanizing.

    There will be immeasurable benefits that will accrue to Cross River people from the concession for the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway is obtained by Governor Ayade- reduction in the number of man-hour, on the road, boosting of inter-state commerce.

    Despite the plunge in the global oil price, and the focus on alternative source of energy, Governor Ayade sees a future for the state in oil and gas, hence his desire to prospect for the black gold in 2016.

    Setting these lofty goals for 2016, Governor Ayade said he is not “unaware of the huge responsibility, skepticism and downright criticism”, when he decided to embark on the signature projects. There is no doubt that Governor Ayade is passionate and committed to pursuing with extreme vigour the 14-point agenda. Over time, he has proven that whatever he sets his mind on, he follows with his heart and head.

    It is on this note that the year 2106 promises to be an exhilarating one for Cross Riverians and   one in which dreams will be born, hopes fulfilled and confidence restored in the people that indeed, flowers can bloom among the thorns of life.

    Accordingly, he urged his people: “As we raise a toast to the new year with a sparkling in our eyes and the ‘jigida’ dance of hope and triumph, may the dreams we wish all come through and the days abound with richness and contentment”.