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Tag: Cross River State

  • Abducted Cross River Commissioner regains freedom 

    One month after the he was abducted, the Commissioner for Water Resources in Cross River State, Mr Gabriel Oji, has been regained freedom.

    Oji was abducted by unknown gunmen on April 9 in Calabar. Initial reports had it that he was abducted at a restaurant along Mayne Avenue, but the State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, said he was kidnapped in his house.

    Ngaji told The Nation Monday evening that Oji was back home and in good health.

    He however did not disclose the details of how he was released.

    He said the circumstances surrounding the abduction was more than kidnapping for ransom, but said details about that would be made known eventually.

    He said no ransom was given the commissioner’s release. “Cross River does not pay and will never pay ransom,” he said.

     

  • Jubilation, excitement greet news of Calabar-Itu reconstruction project

    Jubilation, excitement greet news of Calabar-Itu reconstruction project

    Jubilation, excitement and high expectations have greeted the news of the award of the contract of the Calabar-Itu High in Cross River state.

    The Ministers of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had on Wednesday announced that N54.172 billion has been approved for Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene route linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

    The Calabar-Itu road, one of two roads, which lead out of the state, has been in a deplorable state for almost thirty years.

    The other road, the Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Ogoja Highway still remains in poor condition.

    The Calabar-Itu Road, which appears to be most strategic and economically viable of these two as it the shortest route to other South-South and South-East states, was worse off.

    Besides the accidents that occur on the road and lives lost frequently, it is often that commuters have had to spend days on the road because of trucks that fall, causing serious traffic jams.

    Due to the state of the roads, residents have always felt like they are being cut off from the rest of the country.

    Constant protests, pleadings, petitions and news reports among others have over the years done nothing to attract relevant authorities to do something about the situation.

    Only last year, the Niger Delta Development Commission carried out remedial work on the road, by resurfacing it, alleviating the sufferings of the people a bit.

    But following the announcement of the award of contract of the reconstruction of the road to Julius Berger, there has been renewed hope and excitement among residents and commuters.

    Mr Uche Emeka, who works for a transport agency however begged the government to ensure that the project is seen through.

    “We in the transport business are so happy with this development. You know how the situation has been with us. A journey of one hour to Uyo was taking up to two whole days or even more. You are aware of the accidents, broken down vehicles and people sleeping on the road and exposed to all manner of dangers. We thank God for the remedial work they did last year, but that road, as we know needs total reconstruction. We thank God that he has finally brought someone that has listened to our cries. The benefit of that road when completed cannot be quantified. If I want to talk of the benefits, I will fill up your newspaper. So I only want to say we are grateful to this government and beg them to please ensure it is done.”

    A businessman, Chukwudi Okafor, also said, “The advantage of that road cannot be overestimated. Naturally prices of things would go down when it is completed. Going to Aba, Onitsha and others to get goods to bring down here to sell has been a nightmare on that road. Travelling became a nightmare and for those of us who depend on the road to survive daily, our suffering was unbearable. We have cried over the years and nothing has happened and now we are receiving news that it is going to be constructed. I can only say thank God and thank this government. The only advice I have is that they should please not abandon it. They have raised our hopes and they should not leave us hanging.

    “For me I want to believe that they are serious this time because for any persons that gives a contract to Julius Berger, it means such a person is serious about what he is doing. We are so happy.”

    A resident of Calabar, “Mr Asuquo Effiong also said, “We are so favoured to have this government. In spite of all the negativity this government is getting especially from this part of the country they are still going ahead to make our lives better. I only plead that that road should be completed. I would not bother you with how we have suffered on that road. Even you Mr Journalist, I am sure you have also suffered trying to bring in your newspaper through that road. So you see, it is a problem that has affected everyone one of us enormously. So I am begging you, keep writing and disturbing them until that road is completed. Do not allow them to rest until the job is delivered.

    “My only other plea is that the Calabar-Ikom-Obudu-Ogoja road and the Calabar-Ikang road, which are also in deplorable conditions, should also receive the same treatment. If the Federal Government would do this for us, we would eternally remain grateful.”

    National Vice Chairman (South South Zone) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ntufam Hilliard Eta has described the approval of the N54billion Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Highway reconstruction by the Federal Executive Council as a demonstration of the APC led government commitment to religiously fulfill its part of the social contract with the people of the South South Zone of the country.

    Eta who reacted to news of the approval in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Bassey Ita said the APC leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari had assured the people of the area of fixing basic infrastructures that will improve on their living conditions.

    ”During the campaigns we had assured of our Government’s commitment to improved living conditions through infrastructural development for the people of the South South and Niger Delta as a whole.

    ”The approval of the reconstruction work on the Calabar – Itu – Ikot Ekpene Highway is therefore a step in the direction of fulfilling that promise,” he said.

    According to him, much as political parties canvass for support and votes from the electorate, it is the duty of the government in power to keep its side of the social contract for getting their votes.

    He said with this development, President Muhammadu Buhari has further up his integrity rating as a promise keeper adding that the people of the area are eternally grateful to the APC government to support it for optimal and more tangible results.

    Eta expressed the confidence that the highway when completed will boost the socio economic growth and development of the area.

    He recalled that prior to the approval, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, had remediated the poor condition of the highway.

    Eta urged the people of the South-South and the entire Niger Delta to embrace peace and dialogue as a way of reciprocating the Federal Government’s commitment to their welfare.

     

  • Two killed as Cross River communities resume hostilities

    Two killed as Cross River communities resume hostilities

    Two persons are feared dead in a fresh outbreak of hostilities between the Netim and Qua Communities of Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State.

    Both communities that have lived together for years have been quarreling over land, often leading to conflicts that result in loss of lives and property over the years.

    At the moment there is heightened tension in the area and a detachment of security operatives have been detailed to the area to forestall further crisis.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who confirmed the incident said that the Police is working to restore peace in the area.

     

  • Army debunks report on killing eight youths from Cross River

    Army debunks report on killing eight youths from Cross River

    The 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Calabar has dismissed as false, reports that soldiers killed eight youths from Ikot Offiong Community in Cross River State, who are presently in a communal conflict with neighbours, Oku Iboku community in Akwa Ibom State.

    Last weekend it was in the media that eight youths from the Cross River community were shot dead by soldiers in Akwa Ibom State, when they allegedly invaded Oku-Iboku.

    According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Kayode Owolabi, and made available to The Nation in Calabar Tuesday, said the report was “baseless and has no iota of truth.”

    The statement read, “The attention of the Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army has been drawn to a recent publication carried by the Punch newspaper alleging that soldiers killed eight armed youths from Cross River State.

    “We can emphatically state that what was reported was blown out of proportion. The facts remains that Ikot-Offiong community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State and Oku-Iboku community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State share common boundary within the two states.

    “However, overtime several communal clashes and rumor of clash have been recorded within the general area with some destruction to lives and properties.

    “We want to state that this story in particular is baseless and has no iota of truth. The Headquarters wish to inform the general public that joint security agencies are on the ground in both Ikot-Offiong and Oku-Iboku to checkmate any criminal activities.

    “The Brigade frowns at such a misleading publications and strongly advise journalist to always clarify their facts with the Headquarters 13 Brigade for good reportage. Please accept the esteemed regards of the Brigade Commander.”

  • How Calabar viewing centre electrocution tragedy occurred

    How Calabar viewing centre electrocution tragedy occurred

    It was something football lovers in Nyaghassang Community in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State had done hundreds of times before – watching football matches at a popular viewing centre along Access High School Road.

    Little did they know that Thursday night, when Manchester United hosted Anderlecht in a return leg of the Europa League quarterfinal match, was going to turn out to be a great tragedy.

    A high-tension cable which according to a Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) official, was the UNICAL 11KV Feeder, fell on the viewing centre electrocuting many of the passionate football lovers who were in the building at about 9.30pm. Initial reports put the casualty figure at over 30, but when our correspondent got to the scene of the incident, several eyewitnesses said the number of people that died on the spot ranged between seven and 10.

    Chairman of the medical advisory committee of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr Ogbu Ngim, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Dr Thomas Agan, said  18 persons with various degrees of burns were brought to the hospital. He said seven were confirmed dead, while the remaining 11 were responding to treatment.

    It was observed that the viewing centre, constructed with zinc was located directly under the high-tension cable, just like many other buildings in the area. The cable fell on the building after an explosion from a transformer that was located nearby. It was estimated that the viewing centre could contain about 120 people.

    It was gathered that while the match was on the there was a loud explosion from the transformer and the power went out and the cable landed on the roof of the viewing centre. Quite curiously it was gathered that those watching the game were aware of the cable that landed on the roof, but being so eager to continue their match and thinking there was no current in the cable as the power had gone out, urged the owner of the centre to put on his generator.

    After the generator was put on they all went back inside to continue their match and then power was restored by PHEDC and the fire erupted in the building.

    According to someone who was inside the centre, the building seemed to be vibrating. In the pandemonium that ensued as many made for the exit, several of them got electrocuted. “As their bodies kept touching the zinc which had live electricity running through it and people’s bodies kept rubbing on other bodies in the confusion that is how the problem escalated,” an eyewitness described

    A young man who described himself as Innocent recounted, “I was inside the building when we heard the first explosion so some of us came outside and we saw the cable that had cut and fallen on the roof. In fact some people were passing under the cable as they were calling the owner of the viewing centre to put on the generator so that they can continue their match. When the generator was put on people went inside. What saved me was because I just stood outside waiting for the DSTV to finish loading. You know that DSTV normally takes time to load when it goes off. So I stood outside for some minutes and just as I was going inside to check if the match had restarted, I saw a close friend who was sitting in front of me, running out and his body touched the zinc wall and he fell to the ground. Before you know it people started running out in numbers, trying to get out of the door at the same time. That is how they were falling one after the other right in front of me. I saw my friend die before me and there was nothing I could do.

    “When it had died down, people came around to help remove the bodies. They were just pulling bodies out like logs of wood. It was like hell fire. This is something that would traumatize me for the rest of my life. Those that did not rush out during the incident are the ones that were safe. For me I counted eight people that died on the spot and they were six men and two women. Thank God it did not happen on the day Barcelona played Juventus or the day Chelsea played Man United, because the placed would have been more jam-packed and the causalities would have been.”

    Another young man who identified himself as Dominic said he had paid for the match and was watching when he got call from a friend to join him for a drink. “I had already paid my N50 and was watching the match. Then a friend of mine called me to join him at Doris O Hotel. So I left and joined him there. I even continued watching the match there. It was when I came back here that I saw the disaster that happened here. That call from my friend saved my life.”

    Mr Chris Abang, who also would have been in the viewing centre said he was delayed by his wife. “I had just come back from Ogoja and was in a hurry to go and watch the match. I am a Man U fan. So I could not wait to go and watch match. But my wife insisted that I stayed back and have something to eat. So I decided to listen to her and when I finished eating and was on my way to the viewing centre the whole incident happened right in front of me. My wife’s delay saved my life that yesterday.”

    But a certain Emmanuel Okon, who lost his life in the incident was not so lucky. According to his wife, Mary, being a Manchester United fan he left to watch the match despite her asking him to stay back and eat something.

    Speaking between sobs, she said, “I was boiling rice for him and then he decided to go and watch the match. I told him to stay back and eat but he said I should come and meet him when it was ready. When the incident happened I went there to look for him and when I found him he was not moving. There were bodies lying on the floor everywhere. I carried him with the help of his nephew, but he was not responding. His body was cold. With the help of a neighbour who is a taxi man, we carried him to the hospital where we were told he was dead.”

    The late Okon’s nephew Godswill Okon recounted in tears also, “That evening me and my uncle were just joking about the match. He is a Man U fan and I am a Chelsea fan. So we were playfully arguing and I told him Man U will lose. He said no way that they would win. So when it was time for the match, he called me to go with him and watch, but I felt somehow and decided not to go. Normally I would have been there to watch the game, but I suddenly did not feel too well. People were even surprised that I did not go to watch. While we were home that we heard and went out and I got there and saw my uncle dead. My uncle was a very loving and kind person. He was the one who was taking care of me. My school fees, accommodation, feeding, clothes, everything. I don’t know what I would do now he is gone. Who would come to our help?”

    Spokesperson of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) John Onyi, they were yet to ascertain the level of casualties. “We are not here to apportion blame but to investigate. It was UNICAL 11KV Feeder that snapped at that junction and fell on top of the roof. The viewing centre was in PHEDC’s right of way. There should be at least a 12.5 metre gap away from the high-tension cable. But as you can see now there are buildings right under the high-tension cable. Our investigations would include who gave approvals for buildings to be constructed under high tension cables. But like I said, we are not here for blame. Our condolences go to families that have been affected. We appeal for calm,” he said.

    Secretary of the Nyaghassang Qua Clan Council, Comrade Iso Basey Edim said it was unfair that the PHEDC did not bother to maintain their equipment, but were only interested in collecting money or disconnecting power. He urged that the government should do something about the situation.

    Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, who visited the scene of the incident, commiserated with the victims and said the government would take care of the treatment of those affected by the incident. He said an investigation would be launched into the matter.

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Christian Ita, ordered the setting up of a commission of inquiry on the viewing center tragedy.

    Ayade, who also commiserated with the victims, described the incident as tragic and horrifying, said the state government will also offer assistance to the victims and their families.

     

  • SUBEB uncovers 1, 458 fake teachers in Cross River

    SUBEB uncovers 1, 458 fake teachers in Cross River

    The chairman of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey, Wednesday said they had uncovered 758 teachers with fake certificates and 700 ghost teachers in its ongoing verification exercise.

    Addressing reporters in his office in Calabar, Odey said the exercise has saved the state government between N60 million and N70 million monthly.

    He said that the exercise followed a mandate given to him by Governor Ben Ayade to sanitize the educational system across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    He said that the board has put mechanism in place to ensure that further recruitment exercise into the board is devoid of fake teachers.

    “In the last few months, we have been in the field carrying out personnel audit and biometric exercise across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “What we discovered was shocking. We uncovered 758 teachers with fake certificates and 700 ghost teachers who are not working but receiving salaries.

    “When we found out that some of their certificates were fake, we wrote to their respectively schools to ascertain the genuineness of such certificates and they responded back to us with much disappointments.

    “Young graduates with genuine certificates are everywhere looking for jobs and when you come to the educational sector that is supposed to be credible, you keep discovering teachers with fake certificates,” he said.

    He said despite the stiff resistance they face, they the board will not relent in its effort in sanitizing the educational sector in the state.

     

  • Cross River to partner South Africa on hotel institute

    Cross River to partner South Africa on hotel institute

    The Cross River Government says it is working with the North West Province of South Africa to establish an International Hotel Institute in Calabar.

    Gov. Ben Ayade said this on Tuesday while addressing a delegation from Mafikeng, North West Province of South Africa in Calabar.

    The governor said that the establishment of the institute would facilitate the development of the state’s tourism potentials.

    Ayade added that an action committee would be set up immediately to ensure that the institute became operational in five months before the Calabar Carnival.

    The governor commended the delegation, led by former Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, for the partnership.

    “I am just taken aback by so much that the South African team could unfold in a short period of just about two days.

    “But I think we will be doing a disservice to this state if we do not also compel them to go to Obudu Cattle Ranch. You need to be at the Ranch.

    “I am quite excited at all your thoughts and concepts you shared; your fears and concerns about Nigeria have melted away just by your first visit to Nigeria and Calabar.

    “I am sure also that the more you stay, the more you fall in love with Cross River State,’’ he said.

    He thanked the team for carrying out an in-depth study and analysis of the areas visited and coming out with an elaborate and unambiguous technical report and recommendations.

    The leader of South African Technical Team, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, explained that the twin-city agreement was signed during Ayade’s visit to South Africa in February.

    During the tour, the team visited the Marina resort, agriculture sites and farms.

    The delegation was in the state for a three-day working visit as part of economic cooperation on areas of agriculture, tourism and establishment of an International Hotel Institute.

  • Action Alliance vows to win council polls in Cross River

    Action Alliance vows to win council polls in Cross River

    The Action Alliance (AA) in Cross River State has vowed to work hard to ensure it wins some chairmanship and Councillorship in the local governments slated for June 17 this year.

    The new chairman of the party, Mr Francis Offiong Ani, made the vow after a congress to elect a new executive council of the party in Calabar, the state capital.

    “We believe that with God on our side we are going to greater heights. In the upcoming local government elections we are assuring our members that would we are sure to take some seats at the chairmanship and councillorship levels.  Even after that, in subsequent elections we would still work hard to win.

    “We are mobilizing members across the 18 local government areas of the state. We are calling on all members, even those who left to come back and let all of us work as a team for the benefit of us all and the state,” Ani said.

    A representative of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, Mr Damian Akhame described the congress as free and fair.

    “Everybody is allowed to express their franchise has been done here. It was a democratic process and the people were given the opportunity to vote candidates of their choice to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years. It was a free and fair congress,” he said.

    The executive council of the party in the state has Mr Francis Offiong Ani as chairman, Mary Stephen Mbia as Vice Chairman and Ferdinand Ntanu as Secretary.

    Others are Martin Egbala (Deputy Secretary), Donald Edem Edet (Treasurer), Emilia Bassey (Deputy Financial Secretary), Eyo Eyo Ita (Auditor), Anozeng Sunday Edem (Publicity Secretary), Deborah Okey (Legal Adviser), Effiom Ekeng (Youth Leader), Dorcas Agbor (Women Leader), and Ita Offiong Ekpenyong Deputy Youth Leader).

     

  • Senator seeks end to herdsmen attacks in Cross River

    Senator seeks end to herdsmen attacks in Cross River

    The Senator representing Cross South, Gershom Bassey, Tuesday said that stakeholders in Cross River State are working round the clock to put a permanent stop to herdsmen attacks in the state.

    Senator Bassey who was reacting to herdsmen attack in Obio Usiere community in Odukpani Local Government Area said that the stakeholders have vowed to get to the root of series of herdsmen attacks in the state.

    He said that the Odukpani attack was not the first although no nobody was killed in the first attack

    The lawmaker also said that the state government was working assiduously to assuage frayed nerves in the affected area.

    He noted that a situation where intruders would attack indigence under any guise should be condemned in its entirety.

    He said, “I condemn the killing in Odukpani local Government Area in its entirety. There is no room for such attack in Nigeria. The elders are looking for ways to resolve the problem.

    “Stakeholders in the state will get to the root of the problem but we don’t want people to take the law into their hands. We are engaging the elders; I have also engaged the House of Assembly member representing area to put a permanent stop to the attacks.”

    On the number of casualty, the lawmaker said that they were engaging the police to get the actual number of people killed in the attack.

    He noted that even if one person was killed in the Odukpani attack, it called for serious action to stop it in the interest peace and tranquility in the country.

    Senator Bassey said that what they agreed in the Senate was that since attacks were local, state governments should play prominent role in the resolution.

    He said, “On the Odukpani attack, the state government has deployed a detachment of police and army to the area. As long as we are losing lives, then there is a problem that must be solved. Whether it is in Enugu, Benue, Taraba or any other place, it is a problem that should not be left unsolved. We are as stakeholders, determined to solve the problem and put a permanent stop to attacks of any kind.”

     

  • Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    At least 10 people have allegedly been killed in by Fulani herdsmen Obio Usiere in Eniong Abatim, Odukapni local government area of Cross River State.

    The Village Head the Obio Usiere, Apostle Iya Effiong Orok, on Saturday told reporters that although it was earlier reported that two members of the community were killed last week in an attack by the herdsmen, they had discovered that eight more persons were killed.

    According to him, the two people earlier reported were just people whose bodies were recovered immediately as at the time of the first attack.

    His words, “We have lost nothing less than 10 people in this attack by Fulani herdsmen. They normally come during the dry season to feed their cattle in our area, the same incident occurred two years ago when two people were shot dead, now its 10 people”

    “As I speak with you, Obio Usiere has been deserted. Our women are afraid to go their farms because they rape them in the bush and no one can help them. These people are heavily armed and we are just helpless.

    “We have reported to both Police, DSS and other security agencies and we are using this opportunity to call on Governor Ben Ayade to help us because about 3, 500 people are now homeless, we have become refugees in our own land”

    “It’s about a week this incident took place. It is true that some police men were sent here but the shortfall in logistics is a big challenge. We are afraid to go back to our ancestral home because we know what is happening in Enugu, Delta, Benue and we don’t like shedding blood on our land, it is a taboo for an Efik man to take up arms.”

    Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the attack, but said only one person was killed.

    She said policemen have been been drafted to the area and normalcy has been restored.

    “Our men are on ground 24 hours and we are not aware of any other killing. The rise in the death toll has not been reported to us as I speak with you, and we are not leaving the place,” she said.