The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cross River

  • Cross River raises alarm of fraud in NDDC over duplication of projects

    Cross River raises alarm of fraud in NDDC over duplication of projects

    The Cross River State Government has raised fears of fraud over some projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which are actually being implemented by the state government.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on NDDC, Mr Victor Ekpo, disclosed to The Nation in Calabar yesterday that the state government is actually carrying out some projects, which the Commission has called for invitation to tender for.

    Ekpo stressed the need for the Commission to synergize with the state government in order to check incidence of fraud that may arise from such situations, as well as bring more spread of development to the people.

    He said, “There is need for them to work with the state government because that gives way to serious fraud. As I speak to you there are some roads in Obudu that are ongoing for the Cross River State government, while that same job is in the NDDC budget already awarded to contractors. So what they do is that the contractor would go and arrange one small signboard and take pictures and go back and claim the money for a road constructed by the state government. So you can see that NDDC has already called for invitation to tender for these projects while the Cross River State government is constructing the road. Some examples are the construction of the Utikeb-Ohong-Bebeatsuan Road; the construction of the 2km Utugwan Ring Road; and the 1km Okorotung/Amukwong Road, all in Obudu local government area.

    “So I am calling on NDDC for proper joint meeting before the carry on an any project. There should be a joint appropriation meeting between the NDDC and the Cross River State government. The government might have a planned to put a water project somewhere and that same project may be embarked on by the NDDC. So we would be having cases of project duplication.

    “Working together would minimize cases of fraud, proper management of projects and bring more spread of projects to the citizenry. NDDC cannot for instance run a hospital or a school. So if they build a school for the state, it is the Ministry of Education that would post teachers there to go there. The NDDC is put in place to alleviate poverty to the people of the Niger Delta, so if you come in and people are not benefiting, then the purpose is defeated.

    “There is need for these meetings, so these contractors would not come in and claim credit for projects carried out by the Cross River State government and go to Port Harcourt and claim money.

    “There is need for us to synergize so we can bring real development to the people, because the government is working here. The government should make inputs before they NDDC makes any budget.”

    He also raised alarm over the level of abandoned NDDC projects in the state.

    “The level of abandoned project in the state is much. Some NDDC contractors would just come into the state and somehow they would have a certificate of completion of project, while such jobs have not even been done,” he said.

     

  • Host communities pledge support for Lafarge operations in Cross River

    Elders and youths from the of the host communities of cement company, Lafarge Holcim Plc, in Cross River State have pledged their support to ensure the smooth operation of the company.

    Lafarge Holcim is hosted by Akamkpa and Akpabuyo local government areas of Cross River State.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar on the heels of a protest by a section of some youths from the area last week who were demanding for employment, contracts and basic amenities, an elder from Akpabuyo,  Mr Ekeng Effiong, who led other youths from the area, said  the company have been engaging youths in the area in most of their activities.

    According to Effiong, the communities in the area have been very peaceful since the commencement of the plant.

    `We will continue to support the progress of the plant because we are also direct beneficiaries of what is going on in the company.

    “But, we will not hesitate to press for what is rightly ours because our young graduates need to be gainfully employed and be part of the activities in the company.

    “We are not confrontational, we will continue to promote business activities in the area with a view for other companies to come in and invest’’, he said.

    He urged the management of the company not to relent in providing social amenities for the host communities.

    A youth leader from Akamkpa local government, Mr Festus Bassey, said that youths in the area were not violent, and they will continue to engage the company in meaningful dialogue with a view to meet all their demands.

    “We want employment for our youths. Youths from both communities are very peaceful and ready to corporate with the management of Lafarge.”

  • National Sports Festival: Cross River solicits FG’s support

    National Sports Festival: Cross River solicits FG’s support

    Cross River Government on Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to assist it funds to enable it to host the National Sports Festival.

    A statement by Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Youths and Sports, said the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Ivara Esu, made the plea when he visited the Minister, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja.

    It quoted Esu as acknowledging that the hosting right for the festival was given to the state about five years ago but that for some exigencies, the games had not held.

    He said that the previous administration in the state constituted up a team of consultants to market the festival to raise funds.

    He said that much money had been sunk into the renovation and building of new infrastructure as part of preparations for the festival, adding that some of the projects had been completed.

    “We have been preparing for this National Sports Festival since 2012.

    “The government before us had set up a team of consultants to raise funds for the games. I am sure that when they hear about the festival coming alive, they will come back for re-engagement.

    “So much money has already been sunk into building of infrastructure and facilities for the games. Some of the facilities are 100 per cent completed. Others are between 65 to 85 per cent ready.

    “We have considered various ways in which we can cut cost. I also know that the kind of money we are looking for is not in the budget of 2017.

    “We are not passing the entire budget for the festival to the Federal Government. We need help of 60 per cent of the cost of the facilities, which we have presented to the ministry.

    “I know that President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister have contacts that we can leverage on to raise funds,” he said.

    Esu stated that the state government had made efforts to raise funds “but we have assessed that at no time will we be able to raise more than 40 per cent of the funds needed.

    “Certainly, we can’t get money even from our federal allocation.

    “We are number 35 out of the 36 states; so, if we can’t get the remaining funds, we will not be able to host this games”.

    In his response, Dalung promised to discuss the issue with the president and thanked the deputy governor for the visit, saying it demonstrated the state government’s commitment to “rescue” the festival, which had been in limbo.

    “The National Sports Festival has been on the front burner and the concern of many Nigerians. At every given opportunity, there is a question about the fate of the festival.

    “That confirms how passionate the people are about the games. It is sad that for a long time we have not been able to host the games.

    “I quite agree with the challenges, especially economic challenges confronting the nation but let us not lose touch of the fact that sports is our national heritage and passion and a service-oriented item.

    “Therefore, we must do our best to mobilize funds and give our people those things they yearn for,” he said.

    Dalung recalled that the National Youth Games was held in Ilorin after a long time.

    “We did that not because we had sufficient budgetary allocation. We had only N9 million allocated for the games, but we had to think outside the box and engaged the private sector and sponsors to raise enough funds for the games.

    “So, I think Cross River state needs to put up a structure of consultants to market the games and I assure you that it will pay off.

    “It is not a matter of setting up committees and getting the right people who will mobilize the right investment.

    “If you insist on using a committee made up of just people from the state’s sporting architecture, you will achieve nothing.

    “The state government may not have money but there are many Nigerians who are ready to give the state funds needed to host the festival if they are sure that the investment will be deployed judiciously.

    “I know of states who are hosting international competitions. So I know people will also want to invest in national competitions which have direct benefits on Nigerian youths,” he said.

    The Minister also promised to assist the state to seek the intervention needed to host the games.

  • ‘Cross River eyes top position in cocoa production’

    ‘Cross River eyes top position in cocoa production’

    The Deputy Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ivara Esu, says the state government targeting to be first in cocoa production and, therefore, is taking the necessary measures boost the production of the cash crop.

    Esu said this on Monday at Ikom during the Tree Crops Development Cocoa Value Chain Capacity Building workshop for cocoa estate managers, farmers and agricultural officers.

    The workshop, Esu said, is expected to impact on management and extension delivery system for high quality and increased yield in cocoa production in the state.

    He said it was time the state returned to agriculture as an alternative source of income in view of the dwindling federal allocation.

    He, therefore, enjoined all participants to take the workshop serious for the benefit of farmers and the state.

    He said that the workshop, organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of the participants for effective and safe usage of agro-chemicals in cocoa production.

    Earlier in a remark, Prof. Anthony Eneji, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, noted that cocoa production required professional skills for increased production.

    Eneji described as apt the theme of the workshop which is “Professionalism and Service Delivery: Effective Management Systems for Increased Yield and High Quality Cocoa Production’’.

    He underscored the importance of regular capacity training on the new techniques for improved yield for cocoa managers and farmers

    According to him, the ministry, in partnership with relevant stakeholders, is poised to revolutionalise cocoa production in the state to meet the required international standard.

    He identified the sustenance of effective management system for increased yield as the challenge of cocoa production.

    Also speaking, Mr Ogban Ekpe, the Head of Administration, Ikom Local Government Council, explained that cocoa plays an important role in revenue generation and its attendant capacity for job creation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports cocoa estate managers, cocoa farmers and agricultural officers from the 18 local government areas of the state are attending the two-day workshop.

    Currently, Cross River occupies the second position after Ondo on this list of major cocoa producers in Nigeria.

    The other states are Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Delta, Osun and Oyo.

  • Police confirm nine dead in Calabar tank farm explosion

    Police confirm nine dead in Calabar tank farm explosion

    The Cross River Police Command has confirmed that nine people died in a fire outbreak that occurred at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm at around on Sunday morning.

    Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of police, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the scene of the event, confirmed  the figure.

    Inuwa added that several other persons, who sustained injuries were currently being treated in one of the hospitals in Calabar.

    According to him, the manager of the depot is yet to brief the police on what led to the explosion.

    “Up until now, nobody has come out to tell us that this is what caused the fire outbreak.

    “We have gone round, we have done what we can do but investigation will later reveal what actually led to the explosion.

    “For now, nine people are confirmed dead and many others who sustained different burns are currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals around town’’, he said.

    NAN reports that officials from the Cross State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), were on ground to assess the extent of damages caused by the explosion.

    A NAN correspondent who went round the depot, reports that the fire outbreak also affected the high tension cable which connected  depot’s electricity  transformer, while two vehicles and other important equipment were also burnt to ashes.

    The depot Manager  refused to speak with newsmen, saying that he was not authorised to speak at the moment.

    But, a staff of the depot, who spoke with NAN under the condition of anonymity, said that the fire outbreak occurred when staff of the depot where discharging out the old products in the tanks to fill in the new consignment.

    “As we speak right now, the vessel that brought in our new product is just by the port here. Some of our staff were discharging the old product from the tank with a view to bring in the new one when the fire outbreak occurred,” he said.

  • Calabar Port management wants expansion of Ikom Bridge

    Calabar Port management wants expansion of Ikom Bridge

    The Management of Calabar Port has called on the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to expand the Ikom bridge on the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road in Cross River.

    The Port Manager, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olotu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

    Olotu said that the narrow bridge on the road, which was built during the First Republic, had become obsolete and obstructs the movement of articulated vehicles on it.

    “We have been informed that most heavy-duty trucks loaded with containers find it difficult to pass through the bridge.

    “It is very narrow and sometimes when two trucks coming from the opposite direction get to the bridge, one has to wait for the other to cross.

    “It has become so risky for such vehicles to cross the bridge because the containers they carry could fall off in the process.

    “As we work towards making the Calabar Port more functional, we expect that all the challenges being faced by investors should be addressed and one of them is the bridge.

    “So we appeal to the relevant authorities to expand the bridge and also remove the overhead,” she said.

    Olotu said the bridge is strategic to investments in the state because it is the only link between Cross River and the North East as well as some parts of the North Central geo-political zones.

    She however said that the port management was already discussing with the Cross River Government on ways to ensure smooth passage of trucks on the road.

    “We have also concluded plans for the rehabilitation of the internal road leading to the harbor area and very soon work will start on it.

    “We are doing everything within our powers to make the environment conducive for investors.

    “Since we are looking for investors, we have to create the enabling environment for their business to thrive.’’ she added.

  • Environmentalists kick against plantations replacing forests in Cross River

    A landscape governance assessment workshop in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has kicked against oil palm, rubber and other such plantations springing up at the expense of forests in the state.

    The workshop under the programme called the Green Livelihood Alliance (GLA), is an international programme of Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands, Tropenbos International and IUCN Netherlands.

    Project Officer for Forest and Biodiversity for Environmental Rights Action(ERA)/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (FoEN) and Coordinator for Forest and Biodiversity Friends of the Earth Africa, Mrs Rita Uwaka, said it was active in nine countries and in Nigeria, where Akamkpa local government in Cross River is the focal landscape, GLA works (ERA/FoEN)

    Uwaka said, “If you plant a particular tree over a large expanse of land doesn’t make it a forest. Forests have been standing for years. The idea of bring them down in the name of development as some governments would say, or in the name of making profit it is not friendly to the environment because we know the implications, such as the contribution to global warming. In Nigeria, the second highest contributor to climate change after gas flaring is deforestation. And the major contributor to deforestation in Nigeria is the conversion of forested landmass to agro-commodities like oil palm plantations, rubber plantations, and a host of others. This is at the detriment of peoples, of the biological diversity that we have.

    “We have been talking about ways in which diverse stakeholders from different backgrounds come to discuss about issues relating to the governance of forested landscapes. Our focus here is on Akamkpa because Akamkpa is significant in a number of ways. It has a lot of environmental significance in the entire Cross River State landscape being that it is home to Cross River State National Park, which is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world. It is also home to one of the best community forest management practice on the continent and even beyond and that is the Ekuri forest that is managed by the communities about 33, 000 hectares of forested landmass of primary forests, rich roots, biodiversity of plants and animals species. This is an initiative driven by the communities.

    “Also in this landscape, we have a lot of interests from the private sector, where there is a growing and flourishing agro-commodities business and the most common of them is deforestation for oil palm plantations. We felt that there is need for all the stakeholders to come together and talk about how best we can have a more inclusive and conducive landscape governance, because you cannot be talking about landscape governance without involving all of these people.

    “So we had civil society organizations, we had trade unions, communities representatives, people from government and also people from the traditional institutions, we had companies, quarry companies that dot the landscape.

    “All of them came and gave their own opinions about how best we can have a friendly environmental practice in the landscape without causing more threats. As a fall out from the meeting, one of the points we were to put forward is to create more awareness and engagement of civil society organizations, private sector, government, traditional councils and all relevant stakeholders.

    “There is need to adopt a system of community forest management methods and also recognize that communities are the best custodians of the environment and for us to say our environment is our life, it means all the stakeholders must be part of the sustainable use of resources and sustainable environmental practices, especially the one that is community driven. It was also an opportunity for us to put forward a plan where before any projects goes son, or any decision making process is carried out in the landscape, each of the stakeholders must be involved and this through a specified criteria under the landscape governance assessment.”

  • Sheathe your swords, Ayade tells warring Cross River communities

    Sheathe your swords, Ayade tells warring Cross River communities

    GOVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State has charged the people of Wanihem and Wanikade communities of Ukelle North, Yala Local Government Area of the State to eschew acts capable of disintegrating them and instead promote peace and unity for the overall growth and development of the state. Governor Ayade who was represented by his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, gave the charge during his meeting with the people of the two communities while on an inspection tour of the affected sites of the recent communal clashes between Wanihem and Wanikade in Yala.

    Many people were killed and a lot of property destroyed in the clash that engulfed both communities last week. Thousands were displaced and are currently camped in neighbouring Efiola- Emokpe community in Oju local government area of Benue state. The bone of contention was land. The governor said that the state government will ensure that the boundary between the two communities would be clearly demarcated to avoid future occurrence of communal clashes between the two communities, and charged them to continue to live as brothers. Ayade stated that the state government was not happy over the crisis between the two communities which have co-existed peacefully for several years.

    He consoled the people over their losses during the conflict, adding that more relief materials will be given to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as compensation. The governor thanked the security agencies for responding fast by putting an end to the communal clash and maintenance of peace and order in the communities, adding that the people should go about their legitimate business without fear of molestation. “I also want to charge you all to shun those fanning the embers of disunity and those perpetrating the acts will be brought to book. I want you all to remain law abiding citizens and allow vengeance to God,’’ he said.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Paramount Ruler of Yala Local Government Area, Ogamode Odey Ipoule, thanked the governor for the efforts made towards restoring peace in the two communities and also the relief materials given to the people, adding that the two communities should live as brothers.

    The monarch expressed sadness that after several peace moves that took him to the area for more than seven times, the people resorted to physical confrontation, leading to loss of lives and property, stressing that war is an evil wind whose aftermath is sorrow and destruction. Similarly the Clan Head of Wanihem Community, Kirken Ulakom, said that the cause of the crisis is boundary demarcation which has lingered over the years and that the government should ensure that an end is put to the issue. Also speaking, one of the community leaders of Wanihem, Dr. Christopher Lukpata thanked the Cross River state government for responding promptly to the situation with relief materials and security personnel’s to keep the peace in the area.

    He called for a permanent solution to the problem, while also appealing to the state government to do something urgently about the state of the road to give the people a sense of belonging. On his part, the Clan Head of Wanikade, Ubet Okom Stephen Ogden suggested the establishment of a military base on the disputed land to end the problem once and for all.

  • APC chieftain predicts victory for party in C/River

    APC chieftain predicts victory for party in C/River

    Mr Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Cross River Central Senatorial District, says the party will displace ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in future elections in the zone.

    Obun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Friday that his optimism was based on the gale of defections by chieftains of the PDP to the APC.

    “As you are aware, the senator representing Cross River Central on the platform of PDP, Sen. Owan Enoh, recently defected to the APC.

    “I want to announce to you that just last weekend, the member representing Obubra 1 constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Elocate Ekom, has also defected to the APC.

    “So, now we have one member in the house and more are warming up to defect,’’ he said.

    According to him, this is a clear indication that the people of the central senatorial zone are inching back to where they belonged.

    “It shows that the people of the zone are gradually getting back to the progressive politics where they belonged in the first and second republics.

    “It has been our tradition before the advent of the fourth republic in 1999, and even in that 1999, the same scenario played out until former Gov. Donald Duke collapsed everybody into one umbrella.

    “Unfortunately, now the umbrella is turn into pieces and water has started finding its level.’’

    Obun called for unity among party members in the state, saying that with unity in the party, it would record successes.

    “I appeal for a united front in order to outwit our opponents. With peace and unity in the state’s chapter, Cross River is ours to lose in the coming elections,’’ he said.

  • Conflict: Osinbajo orders security reinforcement in Yala, Cross River

    Conflict: Osinbajo orders security reinforcement in Yala, Cross River

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday ordered security agencies to take urgent steps to avert further breakdown of law and order in Yala Local Government of Cross River.

    The order followed violence between the Wanikade and Wanihem communities which led to loss of lives and property.

    A statement by the Acting President’s Spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to liaise with the state government toward sending relief materials to affected communities.

    Osinbajo condemned the recent communal conflict in the area, and appealed to warring communities to embrace peace to enable government to find lasting solution to the crisis.

    This was not the first time both communities clashed over issues of land ownership.

    The June 27 and June 29 clash appeared to be the most devastating, as it left the community deserted.

    Wanikade and Wanihem communities both share boundaries with Benue.

    Persons displaced by the conflict were currently being camped at Efiola-Emokpe community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue.