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  • How bikers thrill revelers at Carnival Calabar

    How bikers thrill revelers at Carnival Calabar

    • From Janefrances Chibuzor 

    No fewer than 120 bikers thrilled revelers with spectacular and fascinating performances during the Bikers’ Parade section of the 20th Carnival Calabar, held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

      The parade had the bikers along with their riding pinion exhibit their mastery and skills on the wheels to the admiration and cheers of revelers.

    The bikers, who were drawn from seven clubs, in exotic power-bikes showcased their unique skills as they covered the 12km distance of  the carnival route, exciting fun seekers.The revelers in their numbers lined up along the carnival route to cheer the participating bikers.

    During the kick-off for the Bikers’ Parade,  Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, advised the bikers to be safety conscious.

    The Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, represented his boss, said: “Safety is our watch-word. Please, no biker should ride without an helmet. Please, conduct this activity with safety. I assure you that by next year, the governor and I will participate in this activity fully and we will get our motorbikes and other materials needed.”

    Chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Dr Gabe Onah said the event was organised to identify with bikers in the community as well as impact the economy. Onah urged the bikers to prioritise safety as they engage in the exercise.

    “We kindly request bikers participating in the Carnival Calabar to ensure that they are properly kitted with helmets and safety gear.

     “Your safety is our priority, and we want everyone to have a fantastic time while staying safe on the roads.

    “Let’s ride responsibly and enjoy the carnival together as no biker’s gang will be allowed into the route without being fully kitted,” he said.

    Immediate past President, Metallic Knights Motorcycle Club in Calabar, Mr Akin Ricketts, urged the revelers to be biking enthusiasts, saying it is a peaceful hobby. He advised the bikers too to put safety into consideration to forestall unforeseen incident.

    Meanwhile, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, during his visit to the National Museum for the inspection  of the ongoing exhibition, commended the efforts of Otu, for preserving the cultural heritage of the people of the state and Nigeria at large through his support for an exhibition at the National Museum in Calabar.

    The ongoing exhibition, which is tagged Traces of Time, explores the artistic expression dating back from 16th century to the contemporary era.

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    The exhibition mounted by France- based curator, Bose Fagbemi, has been the cynosure of attention by the young and the old. The exhibition held at the Old Residency, a historical icon on its own. The First Lady of Cross River State also built a Christmas Village for the children which drew a huge crowd of families to the museum.

     The highlight of the visit by Mr. Duke was his talk on the relationship between the Bini and the Efiks, dating back to when Oba Ovonramwen of Benin was relocated to Calabar in 1897 by the British. Mr. Duke urged arts enthusiasts to take advantage of the season in visiting the museum and the artists to stage an all year round exhibition of this nature.

    Also at the exhibition was the Justice of the Appeal Court, Justice Inyang, whose grandfather Judge Inyang was the First lawyer from Southsouth. There is a section of the installations dedicated to Judge Inyang. While she was visiting a young student of University of Calabar, who showed a lot of interest in the photographs of Pa Inyang, was spotted by Justice Inyang who promised to support and mentor the student.

    Fagbemi thanked Mr. Duke for his visit and the pledge to support future exhibitions.  She also thanked the Government of Cross River for making the 30-day exhibition a success.

  • Fed Govt grant for vulnerable to be launched today in Calabar

    Fed Govt grant for vulnerable to be launched today in Calabar

    • •Minister pays homage to monarch 

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has said Federal Government’s grant for groups will be launched today in Calabar under a joint supervision of herself and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.

    She spoke in Calabar at the weekend.

    Edu, who graced the 15th coronation of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, spoke on the sidelines of the annual Utomo Obong event.

    She described the Utomo Obong festival as a classy celebration of the rich Efik cultural heritage and congratulated the Obong on his 15th coronation.

    She hailed the success of the festival.

    “I’m happy to be here in Calabar to attend the Utomo Obong for 2023. Our king, the Obong of Calabar, is an A-class king. He is father to all his subjects and brings together his people, the different clans, and indeed every well-wisher who wishes Cross River State well and who wishes his kingdom well too. 

    “We’re here to share culture. We’re here to share a good time and we’re here to share Renewed Hope for the people of Cross River State and the kingdom of Calabar.”

    She reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to stamp out poverty in the country and usher in a refreshing dawn for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

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    The minister said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Cross River State Government, on Christmas day, will launch grants for vulnerable groups. We’ve put together names of vulnerable groups in Cross River and we are beginning with those in Cross River South Senatorial District.

    “The idea is to reach the poorest of the poor at the grassroots, especially during this Christmas.”

    She added that the little funds put into their pockets would help them start micro businesses that could help sustain their families and bring them out of poverty.

    “So we have a full package for Cross River and we believe ‘Cross Riverians’ are ready.”

    Edu said the ministry has “a criterion, which is the poverty index and we have a checklist. We reached out to all the communities in the southern part of the state, the wards, the villages, and the people who matched these criteria were selected out of the many. So this is the first phase. We’ll continue to do this as we move to the next phase, but for now we are handling just 5,000 persons.”

  • Traditional Council insists on right to select Obong of Calabar

    Traditional Council insists on right to select Obong of Calabar

    The Etuboms’ Traditional Council in Cross River State yesterday said it reserved the exclusive right to select the Obong of Calabar.

     It insisted that the selection of the Obong is the exclusive responsibility of the traditional council headed by Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Effiok.

     The council stated that the Supreme Court, in a January 13, 2013 judgment, set aside the selection of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on March 31, 2008.

     “This means that from 31st March 2008 to date, there is and has been no Obong of Calabar, as we are still in the selection process,” the Etuboms said.

     In a statement by the Council’s Chairman, Etubom Effiok and Secretary Micah Archibong VI, the Etuboms said the judgment directed that the selection process be conducted afresh.

     “The selection process can only be carried out by those who were in the Etuboms’ Council at that time and should be carried out according to the Constitution of Etuboms’ Traditional Council, 2002.

     “There are only seven of us alive as of the time of the said Supreme Court judgment,” they said.

    They were reacting to a statement by Governor Bassey Otu on the stool.

    The statement adds: “Without fully appreciating the import of the said Supreme Court judgment, Etuboms who were not qualified to vote as of 31st March 2008 hurriedly came together and purportedly re-selected Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu on January 18, 2023. This again was an avoidable and unnecessary fundamental flaw.

     “Accordingly, therefore, and in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, we embarked on a fresh selection process.

    “Unfortunately, however, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, whose real name is Isukise and comes from Okobo, was duly recommended by the Supreme Court that he could recontest the selection.

     “He refused to be part of it even though he was duly invited through the courier service to attend the exercise.

     “In refusing the invitation to appear before the qualified Etuboms for screening and possible selection, we had no option than to screen the only other candidate presented to us by the Western Calabar Traditional Rulers’ Council – Etubom Dr Anthony Asuquo Ani.

     “We found the said Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani qualified, and have since selected and proclaimed him as the new Obong of Calabar.

     “In compliance with the law, we notified the state government and sought permission to conduct his coronation and for his recognition by the Cross River State Government.

     “It does appear that His Excellency the Governor has rejected our request and has granted explicit recognition to Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar.

     “We want to state here without any ambiguity that the governor’s decision is a serious challenge to the Supreme Court judgment as it is not within his power to do so.

     “Let us state here, therefore, most equivocally that our Etuboms’ Council is the one recognised by the Supreme Court judgment and Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani is the Obong of Calabar of the Efik nation and his Traditional coronation shall be carried out accordingly.

    “We will like those who may want to know that the selection of an Obong in Efik land is exclusively the responsibility of the tradition which has nothing to do with politics.

     “As far as we are concerned, the only legitimate and recognised Traditional Council is the one headed by me as the chairman.

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     “However, if His Excellency wishes to reconsider his position in this matter, we suggest that he sets up an independent and unbiased body to handle the situation or he submits the Supreme Court’s judgment to a court of competent jurisdiction to interpret the judgment for immediate implementation as we know that His Excellency lacks the power to set aside the Supreme Court’s Judgment.”

     The council said the governor’s recent statement indicates that he has undertaken “A judicial review of the State High Court, and Supreme Court rulings, as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with Royal Fathers”.

      The Etuboms said not being aware of any panel of judicial or administrative review, not having been invited to appear or testify before any such body and as Royal Fathers not having had any interface with the governor on the matter only reinforced their impression that Gov. Otu was only expressing his personal opinion.

     They added: “As governor to all, we are understandably uncomfortable that His Excellency embarked on such a Judicial review and interfaced with other ‘Royal Fathers’ without any reference to us.”

     According to the royal fathers, the high court case being relied on by the governor has no relevance in the matter with the Supreme Court judgment delivered except to the fact that the four respondents disobeyed the orders of Justice Ukpai A. lbitam, by voting in the so-called selection of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong-elect of Calabar on January 18.

     “In reality, the judgment of the High Court by Justice Obojor A. Ogar on the 30th of January 2012 setting aside the selection and subsequent crowning of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu has been confirmed by both the appellate and Supreme Courts.

     “We categorically state that there is absolutely no State High Court judgment delivered on this subject matter on the 25th of September, 2022.

    “An error such as this is a natural consequence of the independent review embarked on by His Excellency.

    “We refuse to be drawn into the tempting impression that, His Excellency the Governor, being from the same Efik family of Adiabo Principality, as Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, has anything to do with His Excellency’s conclusions; but this again goes to emphasise how unsafe it was for our Governor to embark upon this journey unassisted.”

  • Obong of Calabar: Ex-C J heads seven-man reconciliation committee

    Obong of Calabar: Ex-C J heads seven-man reconciliation committee

    An independent Truth and Reconciliation Seven-Man Committee headed by a former Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Michael Edem (Rtd), has been appointed to ensure reconciliation among the contending parties in the disputes that have trailed the Obong of Calabar throne for over 15 years.

    A statement announcing the committee was signed by the Secretary of the Etubom Traditional Council at the palace of the Obong of Calabar, HRH Etinyin Ekpo O. Archibong and made available to reporters yesterday.

    Other members of the committee are the former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Effiok Cobham; High Chief Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong; Mrs. Rosemary Effiom Archibong Esq.; former AIG Ene Okon; Reverend Ubong E. Eyo (a serving Reverend of the Presbyterian Church) and Reverend  Father Emmanuel Orok Duke, a serving Reverend Father of the Catholic Church.

    The statement said the focus of the committee is to establish truth and facilitate reconciliation between the parties involved in the Obong of Calabar succession dispute.

    It said the committee would operate independently, impartially and with utmost integrity, respecting the culture and tradition of the Efik.

    Speaking after accepting the assignment, Justice Edem said they are out to restore peace and brotherhood.

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    He said he accepted the task because never in the history of the throne had so much strife been recorded.

    “Considering the calibre of members of the committee, there is no doubt that we can easily carry out the task. We are determined to do it because history is beckoning,” Edem added.

    On the time frame of the committee, he said they would work that out because they had the leverage to do so independently.

    Following the judgment of the Supreme Court in January 2023 on the 15-year-old dispute, Cross River State Government in a statement released on November 7, gave formal recognition to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, as the Obong of Calabar.

    The disputing parties in the crisis led by the former Minister of Finance, Etubom Anthony Ani, rejected the government position and cited the same Supreme Court judgment the government relied on in taking their position.

    The reconciliation committee is, however, expected to begin work in a confidential and unbiased manner.

  • Church holds youth convention in Calabar

    Church holds youth convention in Calabar

    City Gate International Church  Annual Youth Convention ends today at Pyramid Hotel and Suite Highway, Opposite, INEC, Office in Calabar.

    Tagged: ‘Digital Youth in the 21st Century,’ will bring together youth from across the country and will feature seminars, business sessions, drama, word rendition, and song inspiration.

    In a statement issued by the Presiding Bishop of the church, Bishop Robertson Akwazi , the programme aimed at empowering Christian youths with the information, boundless opportunities, and other basic services that digital platforms offer today’s youths.

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    He said that “the world has changed. Time has changed – the speed at which we live life has accelerated superbly. We now have interactive teaching and learning, more simulations than ever before, more things to do, to read, to watch, to experience.

    He noted that youths in the twenty-first century know more and have access to vastly greater quantities of information than ever before. They have lots more information at their fingertips than those teaching them. 

    Akwazi posited that “if our young people in the church in this present day will live and have the ability to become catalysts for change in the world and also prepare for the next generation, we must encourage them to creatively harness Information technology via the internet, narrative theology, and non-didactic teaching methods for their spiritual growth and overall development.”

  • Calabar wears new look ahead of carnival

    Calabar wears new look ahead of carnival

    The capital city of Cross River State, Calabar, is wearing a new look ahead of the commencement of the 2023 edition of the Annual Calabar Carnival scheduled to begin today.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in a bid to ensure seamless movement, the state government is putting finishing touches to the rehabilitation of major streets and roads in the city.

    While drainage system across Calabar Municipality is being desilted, waste managers are also working round the clock to rid the streets and roads of wastes.

    The lawn on major roads and streets, especially in the carnival routes, has received the attention of the landscapers.

    The aesthetics of Calabar have been further enhanced with the reactivation of street lights on major roads and streets across the municipality.

    The government is also matching word with action to organise the best carnival since its inception in 2004 by carrying out rehabilitation of junctions in the city.

    While the junctions have been adorned with lightning and Christmas decorations, the foremost Millennium Park has been transformed to signpost the commencement of the carnival.

    The decorated junctions include Eleven Eleven, Mary Slessor, Calabar Calabar, Effiete and Etta Agbor

    Mr Austine Cobham, executive secretary of the state’s Carnival Commission, recently disclosed plans to make the 2023 edition of the festival the best organised in history.

    Cobham disclosed that four countries, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey and Egypt would participate in the carnival.

    He said 26 states of the federation had also indicated interest to be part of the annual carnival.

    He said adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure security of lives and property before, during and after the festival.

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    He said the impact of the 32-day carnival would be felt across the states and not just Calabar city alone.

    “We are working to ensure that this year’s edition will be a record setting in comparison to previous editions held since 2004.

    “While we are introducing new events for the carnival, we are also reintroducing some aspects of the carnival that had been stopped. For instance, the children carnival is coming back after 10 years.

    “Again, concentration will not just be in Calabar alone, central and northern parts of the state will also be made to feel the carnival.

    “Just like we are lighting up major roads and streets in Calabar for the festival, same will be done in central and northern parts of the state,” he stated.

    NAN also reports that as part of the plans to ensure seamless movement in and out of Calabar, the state government had on Tuesday inaugurated additional aircraft to boost the fleet of the state-owned airline, Cally Air.

    Governor Bassey Otu had said the Boeing 737, with the previous plane, would from Thursday (yesterday) be flying from Abuja and Lagos to Calabar during the 32-day carnival.

    The annual carnival, which started in 2004, has taken place every year, except in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 lock down.

  • S’South monarchs hail end to Obong of Calabar crisis

    S’South monarchs hail end to Obong of Calabar crisis

    The South South Monarchs Forum led by His Majesty (Dr) Dandeson Douglas Jaja Jeki V, CFR, Jaja of Opobo as Chairman of the forum have expressed joy over the eventual ending of the crisis that have bedeviled the throne of the Obong of Calabar for the past 15 years.

    Jaja of Opobo who stressed the revered status of the throne of the Obong of Calabar commended the State Governor for upholding the long established tradition and custom of the Efiks in taking the decision that brought the long drawn crisis to an end.

    He called on Efik leaders, who may have lost out or been misled during the tussle for the throne of the Obong of Calabar, to sheath their swords and join hands with His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, to build a great Efik kingdom.

    Recall that while Edidem Abasi-Otu V was duly re-selected and proclaimed as Obong of Calabar by the Etuboms’ Conclave in line with the Supreme Court judgement of January 2023, some Efik leaders decided to pitch tent with former Finance Minister, Etubom Anthony Ani, who had been in various courts over the past 15 years trying to oust Edidem Abasi-Otu from the throne.

    However, Governor Bassey Otu, last week, affirmed Edidem Abasi-Otu V as the Obong of Calabar thereby effectively bringing to an end the apparent succession battle.

    Speaking in Calabar during a solidarity visit to the Obong of Calabar, Chairman of the South-south Monarchs’ Forum, His Majesty (Dr) Dandeson Douglas Jaja Jeki V, CFR, Jaja of Opobo, said their visit to the Monarch was to show solidarity and appreciation to God for bringing the distraction to an end.

    “We are here under the umbrella of South South Monarchs Forum on a solidarity visit to one of our own, the Obong of Calabar, who has been affirmed as the duly selected Obong of Calabar. We commend the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu for upholding the truth in line with the tradition of the Efik people.

    “On behalf of the South South Monarchs Forum, I appeal to those who may have lost out to sheath their swords in the interest of Efik people. In life, we must know when to say ‘it is alright, let us all come together as one people to build our heritage’. I urge us all to again embrace peace which Efik people are known for,” he pleaded.

    Corroborating, Chairman, Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, commended the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for remaining steadfast, shunning material inducements and religiously adhering to Efik tradition in choosing the Obong of Calabar, adding “if the processes were faulty, the story would have been different today.”

    In his response, the Obong of Calabar lauded the Monarchs for their show of love, adding that the South South monarchs had once again proven that they remained their brothers’ keepers.

    “I commend you for this show of solidarity and I will not take this for granted. We will continue to do our very best to bring all our people together for the good of the Efik kingdom,” the Obong of Calabar stated.

  • Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    • Ends 16-year battle

    Tross River State Governor Bassey Otu has made a final pronouncement on the 16-year-old battle for the rightful occupant of the throne of Obong of Calabar, with a declaration yesterday that Edidem Abasi remained the duly elected king.

    The declaration became necessary after a legal battle over the throne ran a full course from the state High Court up to the Supreme Court.

    The apex court judgment had directed a fresh nomination that must include Abasi, who was enthroned since 2008 as the Obong of Calabar, but challenged by Etubom Ani, who claimed similar rights.

    Ani, former finance minister, had argued that he was granted waiver to stand election for the stool, but short-changed.

    In a government statement titled: ‘Official Position of the Cross River State Government on the Traditional Stool of the Obong of Calabar’, the governor decried the intractable dispute over the kingship of the Efik Nation and the contention for the stool of the Obong of Calabar since 2008.

    The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, said: ”Governor Otu notes that the stool of the Obong of Calabar is about six centuries old, steeped in the ethos of the Efik and revered among the few first class kings in Nigeria; hence the need to protect the throne from judicial, social and political scorn.

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    “The governor stated that having undertaken a judicial review of the state High Court and Supreme Court rulings as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with royal fathers, resolves as follows:

    “That the issue of waiver for qualification of a candidate to contest the Obong stool is untenable.

    “That the stipulations of the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace in respect of the procedure for the enthronement of any Etubom as the Obong of Calabar remain sacrosanct;

    “That in all the subsequent judgments of the appellate courts, the letter and spirit of the state High Court judgment of September 25, 2022 has not been set aside nor its binding effect on all parties diminished

    “That all parties must ensure the implementation of the judgment cited in (iii) above to the later;

    “That Abasi V remains the validly selected and elected Obong of Calabar and the Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.

    “That this official pronouncement by the state government has granted explicit recognition to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as the Obong of Calabar; and brings to final closure the speculation, acrimony and disaffection that may have risen in the course of the tussle for this revered royal stool of the Efik Kingdom” 

  • Police arrest four over foiled kidnap attempt of ex-INEC staff in Calabar

    Police arrest four over foiled kidnap attempt of ex-INEC staff in Calabar

    Four suspects are now in Cross River State Police Command custody in Calabar following a foiled attempt by a kidnap gang who abducted one Mrs. Caroline Bassey, a former staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State Command, Irene Ugbo confirmed the incident which occurred on Saturday and the number of suspects in Police custody, which includes the kidnap gang leader who mentioned Mrs. Carolin’s tenant as the master mind who contacted them.

    While the gang leader was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, November 5, in a shock early morning swoop at Daniel Ayongor street off Victory Way, Satalitte town in Calabar Municipality, three other gang members were arrested on Saturday after the youths of the area at her residence at 28 Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality foiled the attempt.

    The PPRO said the commissioner of Police (CP), Gyogon Grimah commended the gallantry of the officers involved in the operation as well as the youths of the area who also contributed.

    She said that the command’s Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad swung into action following a distress call on the abduction.

    The former INEC staff was abducted on Saturday by unknown gun men at her residence at 28 Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality with the alleged assistant of her tenant (name withheld) who masterminded the kidnap with the gang members after giving them information regarding her (landlady) financial status as regards gratuity payment.

    It was gathered that the police rescued the victim with the help of the youths at Njangachang community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

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    During a covert operation led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Chukwuma Ogini of the of Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad,(ACKS), Black the kingpin behind Saturday’s Kidnap was apprehended inside a ceiling in his girlfriend’s house in Satellite Town, Calabar amid panic and shock among residents of the area.

    Speaking further, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Irene Ugbo said, it was a milestone breakthrough especially as there has been pockets of Kidnapping incidents in the metropolis.

    According to Ugbo, the suspects kingpin, went to take refuge at his girlfriend’s apartment at Satalitte town where he was arrested based on intelligence.

    She said: “He confessed to being the brain behind Mrs. Caroline Bassey’s kidnap and mentioned her tenant as the person who contracted him and his gang to kidnap the former INEC staff.”

    Ugbo revealed that the said female suspect (tenant to Mrs. Bassey) has also confessed how she planned her landlady’s abduction with the kidnap syndicate led by Black.

    Items recovered from the kidnappers arrested by the police on Saturday include a Toyota Highlander SUV belonging to the victim, a Toyota Corolla with no number plate which the kidnappers used, pump action, criminal charms amongst others.

    Ugbo warned: “We still want to state that no kidnapper or criminal will breath well in Cross River. They must all leave our beloved peaceful state for good”.

    The victim of the foiled kidnap, thanked God for her immediate rescue and insisted she wants to know who sent them.

  • Flood wreaks havoc in Calabar

    Residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, are counting their losses following a two-day rainfall that caused flooding in many parts of the city.

    The rain, which fell steadily since Wednesday morning until Thursday, flooded homes leaving many stranded.

    Fortunately no life has been reported lost.

    Among areas worst hit was the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) Staff Quarters where the residents urged the government to intervene in the perennial problem.

    Other areas affected by the problem in Calabar South include Target, Ebito, Atu, Musaha, Murray, Nelson Mandela, Yellow Duke Streets and even farmlands at Anantigha.

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    In Calabar Municipality affected areas include Asari Eso, Akai Effa, Essien Town, Murtalla Mohammed Highway, State Housing Estate, Efio-Ette junction, Parliamentary Extension among others.

    Though Calabar has the advantage that the water goes down soon after the rain stops, residents still lost property worth millions of naira and have begged the government to ensure something is done to permanently check the problem.

    Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Ayim Princewill, urged those living in the flood prone areas to move to higher grounds.

    He said the government is working towards preventing such occurrences.

    He said they had contacted the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to get relief materials and are working towards alleviating the plight of those affected.

    “We can’t fight nature but only apply mitigation measures to handle the situation, he said.