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Tag: Ayade

  • Ayade: Cross River ready for Buhari

    Ayade: Cross River ready for Buhari

    •Obong of Calabar excited 

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has restated the state’s readiness to host President Muhammed Buhari tomorrow for the inauguration of the construction work on its 260-kilometre six-lane super highway.

    Ayade spoke during his inspection of ongoing preliminary work at the site of the groundbreaking ceremony.

    He described the President’s planned visit to the state as “an epoch because it represents the fact that he will identify with any state that has a clear vision, irrespective of party line or political calculations as much as you do all that fits into his core values.”

    The President’s visit is significant in more ways than one, he added.

    “The President confirmed that he is not just coming, but to him it is a home-coming because he was one of the few generals that fought for the emancipation of Gakem, Bekwarra Local Government Area during the civil war and has traversed all that terrain. So, it is a terrain that he knows very well and he understands the value of our proposed projects and that is why he is personally committed to its actualisation,” he said.

    Ayade added: “As he performs the groundbreaking for the 260 kilometre superhighway, we are challenged to ensure its completion so that he can commission it. It is a strong commitment he has given and I am sure Cross Riverians are anxiously waiting to receive him on Tuesday.

    “Our President is long done with politics just as I have and he is now facing governance and that is why he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, and other traditional rulers in the state, in separate interviews, expressed their delight at the President’s visit and promised to drum up support for the project, which they described as a catalyst to the socio-economic development of the state.

    The Obong, who could not hide his excitement at the visit and the effort so far put in place by the governor, said: “I am equally happy that our state governor has started showing signs of dynamism and as somebody who has the interest of the people  at heart because he has started very well. He is using his contact well because we will support this idea to ensure that it comes to fruition.”

    Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Bakassi, where the deep seaport is to be sited, HRH Etiyin Etim Okon Edet, said: “The super highway and the Deep Seaport project in Bakassi shows clearly that this government is poised to change the story of his people.

    “We have been abandoned for so many years. The Deep Seaport which is domiciled in Bakassi will signal to the whole world that the neglected people of Bakassi now have a saviour and messiah in the person of the governor of Cross River State. We take his government as our government because our people believe that he will be the one to take us out of the woods.”

  • Ayade, future beckons for Cross Riverians

    Even before throwing his hat into the ring to vie for the office of governor, Professor Senator Ben Ayade had long cast a long gaze into the horizon trying to envision the new Cross River State of his dream. That is to create a socially stable, economically rewarding, business friendly environment that will galvanize both locals and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in the state.

    To be part of that dream and vision, he has stridently been calling for a concerted effort of his fellow citizens of Cross River State- to lift their eyes beyond the skyline of the present challenges and visualize a state where there is a place and hope for everyone; a state where there will be jobs for the youths and prosperity for the working class.

    From the inception of his administration also, governor Ayade had set his mind on staying focused on ensuring that not only the middle class was resurrected but also given the needed oxygen to find anchor for their roots; just as he was determined to guarantee that every Cross Riverian found independence and pride for his work.

    For a man whose growing up had a rich narrative in lack and poverty, a man, who as a child, wore poverty like a garment, Governor Ayade was poised from the outset to guaranteeing that the wages of honest labour shall not only liberate families from the jaws of hardship, but that no child goes to bed in an empty stomach.

    As part of catalyzing and crystalizing this manifest destiny, Governor Ayade has had his leg firmly stamped on the pedal with a view to harnessing new ideas and technology geared towards reconstructing and repositioning the state to its rightful place as the fastest growing in the country.

    But in arriving at his goals destination, he was equally desirous of striking a delicate balance, or harmony, if you like between proving infrastructure and building capacity.

    While it is imperative to chart a new course into the oasis of creativity and navigate a fresh path to greatness, Governor Ayade is not unmindful of the fact that in doing so, the human resource also constitutes the fulcrum or building block to sustainable development. He needed to reenergize the workforce in order to restore confidence in the civil service which has remained largely the brainbox of administration.

    It was this creative thinking that actuated his declaration to promptly pay salaries of civil servants, insisting that a labourer deserves his wages.

    Barely five months captaining the ship of the state, he has not only hit the ground running, but has progressively been steering the ship in the right course with howling mileage gained so far in this voyage.

    As a leader known for walking his talk and matching his words with action, Ayade did not just stop at lamenting the plight of the state civil servants but making sure that the winter of despondency that almost held them captive owing to delayed salaries quickly gave way to renewed dignity of labour they were hitherto accustomed to.

    It is no longer news that while most states in the country are literally asphyxiating under the pangs of unpaid salaries, Governor Ayade has not only ensured that salaries are paid promptly, but as early as between 25th and 26th of every month. Specifically, in making sure that civil servants celebrated the last Sallah with their Moslem brothers and sisters in the state, September salary was indeed paid on the 23rd.

    Today, the challenge in the state is not whether salaries are being paid promptly, but rather, it is the complaint from civil servants themselves that it is coming too early in the month. Indeed, the practice has endeared him to civil servants with him being seen as a portrait of a responsive and responsible leader.

    In absolute fidelity to his words that the wages of honest labour shall liberate families from the clutches of hardship and hunger, Governor Ayade, barely two months in office passed into law tax exemptions for state workers earning below N30,000 a month as well as the exemption of levies for artisans, petty traders operating in the state.

    While this gesture has roundly been applauded and commended as governance with a human face, the real import of the concession is that it has allowed this category of workers in the state with more disposable income to play with and by implication, leading to more empowerment for the people.

    In a bid to expand opportunities, energize the already shrinking state’s civil service workforce, as well as chase the wolves out of the doors of many of the citizenry, the governor, after a careful consultation and deliberation with the various stakeholders in the state, took what could be described as an uncommon initiative to lift the 23-year-old embargo on employment into the state civil service.

    With the gulf between the haves and the have-not ever widening, and determined to narrow this socio-economic divide, Ayade, upon his assumption of office, promised to weigh in by creating more opportunities, especially for the women folk in the state. It was this compassion for the poor that informed his need for the establishment of a garment factory in Calabar.

    Though recruitment into the factory has since been completed, with the equipment already shipped into the state, the actual deadline for the completion of the plant itself has, however, been hampered by a chain of logistics and inclement weather. It is nonetheless expected to come into full operation sometime this year. Upon completion, about 1000 women, mostly widows would be actively engaged in the clothing plant.

    Similarly, as an environmentalist himself, the governor has embarked on a number of measures aimed at protecting and preserving the state’s biodiversity. In this regard, a special marshal code named the Green Police, comprising 1500 young men and women has been set up. Besides protecting the rich rain forest, the effort is an added stimulus geared towards addressing the army of unemployed youths in the state.

    In the administration’s quest to create a just and equitable society, and to provide for the very poor and indigent in the state, Governor Ayade recently signed into law a housing bill, under the state’s social housing programme, which seeks to make housing in the state a right.

    And following his preliminary discussions with Irish property investors, Affordable Modular Homes Limited sometime in August for a 5000 modular housing units, the effort has so far culminated in the signing of a US$4 million memorandum of understanding for the construction of affordable houses to be spread across the three senatorial zones of the state. Apart from drastically reducing the housing need in the state, the scheme, when completed, will exponentially increase the number of house owners and consequently drive down the cost of accommodation across the state.

    All of these initiatives, Governor Ayade reasoned, are geared towards recalibrating the social inequality that has for long plagued the citizenry.

    Following immediately on the heels of this historic housing law was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cavenco of Spain for the establishment of an automated poultry and dairy plant with capacity for 100,000 birds per day.

    In the same vein, the administration equally wrapped up a deal for a three megawatt power plant with Skipper of India to expand the power infrastructure in the state.

    To effectively ramp up development, Governor Ayade has created 27 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPVs) among which are Cross River Tourism Limited, Cross River State Diaspora Trust Funross River State Forestry Trust, Cross River State Petroleum Company Limited (PETROCROSS), Cross River State ICT Company Ltd., Cross River State Marine Company Ltd., Cross River State Cocoa Company Ltd., Cross River State Rice Company Ltd., Cross River State Banana Company Ltd., and Cross River State Maize Company Ltd.

    And despite the pall of cynicism regarding his two signature projects, the 260 kilometre dual carriage super-highway and Calabar deep seaport, the governor has remained passionate and unrelenting, vowing to give his arm and his leg, if that becomes necessary to actualize the project.

    As part of oxygenated plan of action to catalyze the projects, a 500 million Euros funding has since been secured from his European counterparts for the two projects, just as core investors from Abu Dhabi on the superhighway has also been sourced.

    With President Muhammed Buhari expected to visit to formally perform the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Ayade has demonstrated an uncanny resolve, the I-can-do-it spirit and the zest never to give up on what he believes holds the future for his people. Obviously, there is no turning back on his dream project, a project that is bound to redefine the socio-economic landscape of Cross River in a few years from now.

    Given the fecundity of his ideas, the intensity of his vision and the bullishness of his thought, there is no gainsaying that in this young ebullient and dynamic governor, the future indeed, beckons for the people of Cross River State.

    • Offiong wrote in from Calabar
  • Ayade laments Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods

    Ayade laments Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, yesterday lamented the state of slavery Nigeria has found herself after over five decades as a country.

    He lamented the country’s over dependence on imported goods in his address to mark the 55th Independence Anniversary at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

     Ayade said while Nigeria may have gained political independence, she has remained in a quagmire of economic slavery.

    “We have gained democratic independence, but today, we are still economic slaves as long as we feed on imported food, live on foreign finished homes, cloth with imported garments, export our crude, import our refined petroleum products, import our drugs, medicine, weapons, tooth pick, singlets, socks and even under wears.

    “As long as we still depend on their technology to communicate and travel, use their instruments to know what we have in the soil, water and how to get them out, we remain slaves.

    “As far as our political leaders continue to seek medical attention in foreign lands, send their children overseas to study, steal and stash our money in foreign lands, then we are still slaves. Slaves to our mentality, slaves to our inertia and slaves to colour. Any political independence without economic independence is independence in paralysis.”

    He however added:  “Today offers us another opportunity to celebrate our nation’s Independence from her Colonial Masters.

    “No nation has ever gotten to its destination on a roller coaster; and so, ours has not been an easy ride. But today’s anniversary marks another watershed as we continue to march ahead with great hope and a refreshing optimism with our eyes cast on a sparkling horizon that is a harbinger of lush.”

  • Lawyer hails Ayade on aptitude test for appointees

    Lawyer hails Ayade on aptitude test for appointees

    An Abuja-based lawyer and arbitrator, Dr. Dorn cKlaimz  Enamhe,  has praised Cross River  State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade for introducing aptitude tests for appointees.

    He said the decision to subject  nominees of political appointment  to mandatory integrity and aptitude tests before forwarding their names to the House of Assembly for confirmation was a welcome development.

    In a chat with our correspondent, Enamhe said: “ It ought to be a thing of joy and relief, considering that for the first time, there will be a dispassionate way of assessing prospective commissioners, Special Assistants and other officers of the state  with a view to identifying their peculiar strengths and weaknesses.

    “It will also assist to identify the mental alertness of those who will assist the erudite governor to drive the vision and  policies of his administration rather than merely juggling a list submitted by political leaders at ward, local government and state levels.

    “Come to think of it, is this not what past governors did, howbeit, mentally and without a definite format? Isn’t it a plus that now there will be specific considerations known to all three members of the committee headed by a learned Senior Advocate  of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Erokoro who should submit a report based on pure facts in addition to the fact that the nominees have been recommended?”

    Commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s botched visit to Cross River State, Dr. Enamhe said: “ There are many lessons to learn here,  it’s great to know that a breach of procedure can be curbed by a lot of things  in Nigeria like what just happened.

    “The Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA)  is ongoing and should be completed without event. Certainly, there cannot be such an adverse impact that would warrant the project being stopped, especially as the road does not affect our forest reserves as many people would like to believe in order to further criticise Professor Ben Ayade.

    “The governor is a Professor of Environmental Law, whose programmes are environment and people-friendly. For instance, he recently provided for the recruitment of more than 500 people into the Green Police whose main responsibility is to guard our forests, our biodiversity, ecosystems and ensure sanitation in the state

    “The other day, he led others to clean up the capital city, Calabar and this he has done several times.

    “Also he has been in the forefront of making sure civil servants come to work early. He has set a standard in the state by being there before the rest.

    “He has also personally made sure that salaries that were owed were cleared and is in the process of clearing the remaining backlog of salaries. He negotiated with the Judiciary workers and got them to call off their several months strike which paralysed the courts in the state like many other states of the Federation.”

    On the challenge of child labour and prostitution  in the state, Dr. Enamhe said: “The State Government has a  programme tagged: “Operation  Skolombo” to take care of them.

    “The government recently cleared  Calabar  of the menace of  street  prostitution  and other social vices, showing clearly his no-nonesence intolerance for social menace.

    “It is more pertinent now than ever, so  all hands  must  be on deck to give our governor the expected support. He has kept his word, the materials for the garment industry have already hit the ground and, but for a few technical issues that are now being resolved, the Super Highway project would have gone very far.”

     

     

  • I’ll earn your trust, Ayade tells Cross River residents

    I’ll earn your trust, Ayade tells Cross River residents

    Cross Rivers State Governor Benedict Ayade yesterday assured the people of the state that he will earn their trust through good governance.

    Ayade spoke at an interdenominational service at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Calabar, the state capital, as part of events to celebrate Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary.

    The governor urged the people to have faith in him but not trust.

    He pledged to earn their trust through purposeful leadership.

    Ayade said: “With time and patience from you, I will earn your trust by the achievements I will record. But, please, don’t trust me until I earn your trust.”

    The governor was presented with a holy Bible and rosary.

    Ayade said he inherited a “state rich in character and quality men”.

    He added: “I believe I inherited a wealthy state with great potentials. The potentials need to be nursed and harnessed. I come with the intellect, the capacity, humility and fear of God to harness all of these resources for the betterment of the people of Cross River State.”

    Ayade said he had a clear picture of the direction he was taking the state‘.

    The governor noted that he had kept to his promise to pay workers’ salaries before the 25th of every month.

    According to him, salaries have been paid frequently on the 25th of every month, despite the meagre resources available to the state.

    He said Cross River had not borrowed in the face of the current financial challenges.

    Ayade called for a reversal of the nation’s privatisation policy.

    The governor described it as unacceptable because it did not augur well with the true African philosophy of providing a shoulder for fellow brothers to lean on.

    He added that Nigeria’s current state of development does not support privatisation.

    Ayade listed the reasons for his stance on tax exemption for low income earners.

    The governor said his background played a vital role in shaping his philosophy of governance.

  • Why Ayade insists on aptitude test for commissioner-nominees, by aides

    Why Ayade insists on aptitude test for commissioner-nominees, by aides

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade’s decision to subject commissioner-nominees take aptitude and integrity test is to ensure only the best make State Executive Council, his aides explained yesterday.

    Two of his media aides, Emmanuel Ulayi and Solomon Asha, in an article, said the governor should be praised and not attacked for the move.

    The article reads: “The main idea of government is not just to run an organised society with civilised laws to guide human conducts, man’s relationship with his fellow man but also to ensure the provision of the right environment for the expression of the full potentials of the citizenry and services that will bring happiness at least at the basic level to all in such a state.

    “To ensure the realisation of the above objectives, every society or modern state must as a matter of necessity have their citizens train in all fields of human endeavours at least at the basic level while those with the financial and requisite intelligent quotient obtain such training that will take them to the peak of their areas of specialisation and become specialists in such areas.

    “It was based on the imperative of people specialising in different fields/areas, must be experts, to be able to provide the best of services for the good of the state and its people that one of the most prolific philosopher in the ancient times whose writings equally wielded enormous influence in the intellectual world, Plato, a student of Socrates in his wisdom divided the state into three class of the Philosopher-King, the Guardians or Soldiers and the Artisans or professionals of all fields of human endeavours. Plato said that no society will be complete without the aforementioned.

    “The beauty of Plato philosophical and ideological postulations clearly solidifies the very germane saying that square pecks should be put in a square hole, meaning that the right persons with the right professional training and knowledge should be place to take charge of areas commensurate to their professional competency. In the other word, a man who studied  Accounting should not be put in a position  to head medical practitioners or become Chief Medical Director and vice versa, meaning that a round peck should not be put in a square hole. Following the philosophical schooling/ orientation of Plato, it will not take a clear and logical thinking individual seeing that his postulations are rooted on integrity and ethical principles.

    “It is in line with this same philosophical and ideological orientation that the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade recently set up a 3-man screening Committee to evaluate all nominees for the positions of commissioners, Chairmen and members of Boards, Agencies and Parastatals, and Special Advisers to undergo integrity and aptitude tests after which their names can now be sent to the Cross River House of Assembly (CRHA) for confirmation.

     ”It is clear that the essence of our dear governor coming up with a screening committee for the said nominees is purely to ensure that those to be saddled with the tasks of heading their various ministries, boards, agencies and parastatals, contributing to the running of the state through their inputs at the State Executive Council Meetings are not only square pecks in square  holes, but that they are men and women with proven integrity bolstered with solid ethical foundation that will drive them to stand for accountability and transparency in accord with the new order of things which are the watchwords of his administration.

    “Ayade pronouncements, body language and actions lucidly points towards the direction as a result of his robust ambition to change the well known mentality of our people by preparing them ahead of time for the various opportunities that abound in the 21st century; and to succeed in doing that it become imperative that he work with a tag team, a think tank as members of the State Executive Council and other persons who will be the head of boards, agencies and parastatals in the state.

    “From his previous experience over the years both in the private and public sector, the  governor is aware that competency in a particular area of specialization is a sin-qua-non towards the provision of qualitative service delivery at whatever level such services are required; but Ayade is equally not unaware that beyond competency lies two of the most important virtues, accountability and transparency, without which the delivery of such services whether in the public or private sector will not be successfully achieved.

    “It is therefore based on this reality that Governor Ayade is going all out to make sure that those who will at the end of the day emerged in the already mentioned positions are men and women who fully appreciate the vision, drive and pragmatism with which he came with into leadership/statecraft for good governance.

    “Ayade should be commended for this bold initiative of bringing innovation of letting government appointees at the said levels realise that it is not business as usual in the new Cross River State being driven by him and for them to get it clear from the onset that competency plus accountability/transparency, integrity rooted in ethical values is the driving force of his administration; hence they need to pass the said aptitude tests to shape in to the other side or remain on the other side of the line. Indeed, by this singular act Governor Ayade is steadily bringing the most sorts for innovation into statecraft and governance. When there is a total innovation in the way governance is being run, there will equally be a complete transformation in every compartment of the state and the people of the state will be better for it.”

  • Let’s team up for Nigeria’s progress, Ayade urges Muslims

    Let’s team up for Nigeria’s progress, Ayade urges Muslims

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has urged Muslims to use this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration to work with governments for the nation’s progress.

    In a Sallah message by his Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, the governor said: “While I congratulate all my Muslim brothers and sisters across the country on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, made possible by Almighty Allah, I want to appeal for your collective support to join hands with the government so that we can pull through the current challenges.

    “As faithful, let us harness our creative energies, our love for one another towards the development of the country by aligning with President Muhammadu Buhari to realise the dream of the founding fathers for a better Nigeria for all.

    “As we celebrate, we must not be unmindful of the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir, which are sacrifice, peace and love for our neighbours. These are the hallmarks of a true Muslim.

    “You have always demonstrated good examples by exhibiting the true teachings of Islam. I want to, however, urge the Muslim community in our state to continue to join hands with people of other faith to sustain the prevailing atmosphere which has made our state the most peaceful and the best investment destination in the country.

    “May the Almighty Allah fill your hearts with His love as you celebrate in peace.”

  • Cross River ready for Buhari’s visit, says Ayade

    Cross River ready for Buhari’s visit, says Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned visit to inaugurate the 260 kilometre Calabar –Katsina Ala Road as an indication that the president share a good dream for the state.

    He spoke while inspecting a portion of the Highway where work has already commenced at Nsan village in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

    Ayade said the state was ready to host the president.

    He said he was humbled and challenged that the President believes and shares in his vision of embarking on the project, with the aim of boosting the state’s economy.

    “I am excited, challenged and fulfilled that somebody as high as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could understand and share in my dreams and aspiration to create a Super Highway that will also create that harmony between the northern and southern part of Nigeria,” stated

    He explained that because of the great premium which his administration places on the signature projects work is already ongoing in spite of consistent heavy rainfall being experienced at this time of the year in the state.

    The governor who was accompanied on the inspection by service commanders, said: “We have started work on the road already. Given the amount of rainfall we are experiencing, what we have achieved so far is fantastic. We expect that the President would be impressed when he gets here”.

    The governor also inspected ongoing work at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

    The state government is embarking on a 260 kilometers super high way and a deep seaport expected to cost about N700Billion

  • Ayade ends eight-month JUSUN strike

    Ayade ends eight-month JUSUN strike

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has resolved the over eight-month strike of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday with the representatives of the union in Calabar, the state capital.

    The agreement was signed on behalf of the government by the Head of Service (HOS), Ekpenyong Henshaw; JUSUN’s National Treasurer Jimoh Musa Alonge, who represented the National President Mustapha Maruan Adamu, signed for the union.

    Ayade hailed members and the leadership of the national and state chapter of JUSUN for their understanding.

    The governor assured that he would keep his side of the bargain, adding that he would set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing the contents of the MoU.

    He said: “With the signing of this MoU, I owe you a responsibility, a duty to keep our side of the bargain.”

    Ayade said he received a letter from the workers, demanding the implementation of the consolidated salary for judicial workers.

    The governor said his administration was studying the demands.

    He said the signing of the MoU and subsequent suspension of the strike by JUSUN was victory for the common man and those detained without trial as well as some young lawyers whose practice had been checkmated for the period od the strike.

  • Ayade…How far 100 days after?

    Ayade…How far 100 days after?

    When on May 29 Prof Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade was sworn-in as the governor of Cross River State at the prestigious Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), he left  no one in doubt that he was coming to government with the sole purpose of  serving the people.

    His vision as encapsulated in the inaugural speech is clear, captivating and precise as to the direction/path he intend to chart, the drive and passion he possesses, not unmindful of the hurdles on the way to success, he expressed his un-quenching determination to surmount such limitations and pilot the state to its divine allotted sphere of honour. In his inaugural speech, Ayade was passionate that as a people we have come to a point in history of possibilities/prosperity because he has come with the right ingredients to bring about a perfect pollination whose petals will spread abroad sweet scent that will enlivened and awakened and drive the state away from backwardness to greatness and the people from poverty to economically viable icons among the people of Nigeria and the world.  To achieve the desired goal therefore, it require that the people must collectively “rise to…full height to envision and carve out a better future” for themselves and the coming generations.

    Ayade’s subsequent utterances and actions from the day of his inauguration to his 100 days in office lucidly indicate that he is on course, never deviated or drifted away from the path which he has charted for himself by the grace of God to move Cross River out of doldrums of social, economic and political irrelevance to prominence and Cross Riverians from backbenchers in all sphere of existence to trail blazers in the comity of Nigerian States and beyond. Ayade had maintained in his inaugural speech that “In the new Cross River of our DREAM, there is a place and hope for everyone. There will be jobs for the youth and prosperity for the working class. The resurgent middle class shall find anchor for their roots and everyone shall find independence and pride in their work. The wages of honest labour shall liberate families from the jaws of hardship and no child shall go to bed with an empty stomach. Neither shall any mother be depressed by lack of access to Medicare for her children and loved ones. Brothers and sisters, this is our DREAM!”

    In 100 days, Ayade has made good his promise to provide jobs for our people with the conclusion of recruitment interview to employ 1000 persons for the Green Police and the Garment factory (500 each for a start), lifted the hitherto agonizing 13 years embargo on employment, started and sustained prompt payment of workers salary as at when due, concluded arrangement with a Dublin based Irish company, Affordable Buildings Concept International Limited for the building of 5000 Houses for the low, middle and upper income earners that would be provided with water and electricity, and provided an appointment by executive fiat to Mr. Ashie Osor who has been writing as a linage reporter with the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation since 2009.

    As part of effort to actualise his vision of creating employment opportunities for our people, within his 100 days in office, Governor Ayade has also been able to ensure that work on the garment factory is ongoing Inspite of the heavy rains, concluded arrangement with Irish Dairy firm for the establishment of an Ice Cream making factory, a Spanish company, Cavenco to establish a Dairy Farm to revitalize the Obudu Ranch Resort Farms. It is based on this reality that in his inaugural speech he specifies what this period expects from the entire people of Cross River.”This is what this moment requires. The capacity to dream! That is what will give real meaning to our belief. We must all strive to dream, to lift our eyes beyond the horizons of the present difficulties and visualize a better day! And we must all do this…from the hills of Obanliku to the thick forests of Boki and from the Creeks of Bakassi to the Cocoa plantations of Ikom, we must join hands to plant the trees of HOPE and water the gardens of liberty!”

    To bring to fruition his promise supported by the cooperation of the people tape on new ideas as well as technology to bring about total empowerment to Cross Riverians, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade has equally within his 100 days in the saddle concluded a pact for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in the state, as progress of work on the governor’s signature projects in 100 days is clearly obvious. China Harbor Engineering, a globally renowned company is already carrying out preliminary work at the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport that will help to evacuate the corridors that have always prevented bigger vessels from entering the Calabar seaport, as they had to stop at Lome and then use smaller vessels to transfer goods by installment to Calabar. The project will also help service land lock countries like Chad and Niger to move their goods easily from the Calabar port.

    Ayade has already attracted a 500 million Euros from the Broad Spectrum Industrial Services, based on purely Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the government require to provide 25 percent Bank guarantee; just as a reputable Nigerian bank has already given its approval to the novel arrangement. When completed, the seaport is expected to generate an average N30 Million on monthly basis. In 100 days, surveying, plotting and excavation work is seriously ongoing on the over 260 kilometers Super High Way from the seaport to the northern part of the state. Advanced plans for the actualisation of the proposed state owned refinery; to send talented Cross Riverians to be train as pilots and other associated aviation courses, professions in Dublin with feverish vision to establish an airport in a located between Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas of the state, have been laid.

    In his historic inaugural speech, Ayade explained: “And by ensuring that every foot is on the pedal, we aim to harness new ideas and technology to reconstruct our state, reform our schools to guarantee first class education for our youth and empower our citizens with the skills they need to engage a brave new world! Let me use this opportunity, to announce our signature projects; we shall undertake the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu”.

    Guided by the uplifting and immortal words penned by a global icon, Late Nelson Mandela that it always seems impossible until it is done”, Ayade sets out to lay a solid foundation as he has done in 100 days to bring about the restoration of hope to a once despondent people, checkmate hitherto raising spite of insecurity in the state as well as ensure a proper management and utilisation of our rich forests resources for the good of the people. To this end Ayade has in a 100 days set up a Five-man Security Committee headed by Brig. Gen Mannix Nyiam (Rtd) and code-named “Operation Skolombo” which has successfully reduced crime rate in the state to a negligible percentage. Provided the security committee with operational vehicles, attended and inspected the carry out of reconnaissance (recce) by the Officers and Men of the Armed Forces at Bakassi where several illegal settlements by militants were destroyed, thereby boosting foreign and international investors confidence in the state.

    Propelled by the unquenchable desire to bring about an attitudinal change favouring the employment of machineries/technology to enhance our production capacity, boost our economy and open a new vista of hope and opportunity directed at increasing our value chain as unambiguously stated in his inaugural speech, the Obudu born governor has within 100 days  in  office sponsored and signed into law the Cross River State Infrastructure  Development Law for a solid foundation for the development of the state, becoming the first state in Nigeria to do so. In 100 days, Ayade has sponsored a bill for the establishment of  Cross River State Sustainable Development Agenda Agency’ a bill for Social Housing Infrastructure Development to ensure every Cross Riverian, no matter his/her social, economic and political status is entitled to a decent house.

    He has equally sent a bill for a law to protect of our water frontiers; a bill to preserve our forests resources in accordance with the sustainable development agenda of the global community; a tax exemption bill to exclude the poor and the low income earners from taxation to ameliorate the conditions of the ordinary man in the state.  Out of a total of 15 bills before the current CRSHA, 10 are sponsored by Senator Ayade in 100 days in the saddle.

    In 100 days, Governor Ayade has  equally concluded an arrangement to build a brand new city to be called “Calas Vergas” in Calabar and 16 other modern estates in the 16 Local Government Areas where the dual super high way will pass as part of deliberate effort to lift the state infrastructure wise, draw oil magnets and other investors to Calabar and the sate in general and then boost the overall economy of Cross River and lives of the people.

    Outside the above stated achievements, the amiable governor has equally laid a rock-solid foundation that will turn the state into an economic hub in West Africa sub region  by sealing a pact with Chinese experts to generate a total of 90 megawatts of electricity from the Agbokim and Kwa waterfalls and the canalisation and channelisation of either Ikom, Itigidi and Calabar rivers, with each generating 30megawatts and the conclusion of plans to construct the Calabar Haulage City. Other significant achievements recorded by the Ayade administration within the short span of a 100 days in office include presentation of operational vehicles to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), restores the regular media parley with the press, restored the monthly impress to the press, provided the press with a brand new bus, restored the Correspondent Chapel to the Governor’s Office,, held meetings with members of  forests communities, and operators of quarries in the state plan to lift the ban on logging in the state and restore the concessional logging system, evacuation of refuse from our streets and introduction new refuse collection method as well as severally intervened on the Federal Roads to bring about palliative relief to the suffering motorists and other road users at Odukpani Junction and the Akpabuyo road.

    All that have been achieved and those successes in the offing, Ayade had in his inaugural speech as governor stated confidently that they were achievable and the journey and action of this visionary leaders in the past 100 days has clearly shown that they are indeed achievable with the collective support from the people in the future as they have so far done.

    “With our backs against the wall, we must dig deeper into the wells of our creativity and hew out a new pathway to greatness. In doing this, we must be guided by the immortal words of Dr Nelson Mandela that “ It always seems impossible until it is done”. Fellow Cross Riverians, we shall overcome the present bleakness and wend our way into the sunshine of a brighter day! As we clime this imposing mountain of hope, we shall widen our scope, broaden the horizon and sharpen our instincts for fresh and big ideas that will galvanise this great state to achieve its full potential and usher in a prosperous Cross River, where our people will live in peace and harmony with one another and with nature. We count on your prayers and support to achieve this.”

    Actually,100 days is actually an insignificant number out of 1095  or 1096 days in four years of a tenure, but to a great mind like Ayade, it means a lot and he has gone ahead to prove that by the achievements on ground.

    Bravo Ayade, Bravo the people’s Field Marshall, leader and commander of the poor and the down trodden in our society! Carry on!

     

    • Ulayi and Asha are media aides to Governor Ben Ayade