The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cross River

  • ‘Cross River must think beyond oil’

    ‘Cross River must think beyond oil’

    Former Group General Manager of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Prince Goddy Jedy-Agba, is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on his vision, blue print and chances at the primaries.

    Why are you contesting for governorship in Cross River State?

    In the past seven years Governor Liyel Imoke has been doing a good job governing our state but come May 29, 2015 he would handover the baton of leadership as our constitution demands. I want to be the recipient of the baton. This is not a decision I take lightly, but one that I arrived at after a careful and persistent consideration as well as the need for a servant leader who places people over politics and service above all else. I took the decision to run for governor of our state in 2015 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after a great deal of thought. I consulted widely with my family, friends and close political associates in Cross River state and nationwide.

    I am running for governor because I believe I can add value to the governance of a state I love so much. My love for the state and its people knows no limit. I love the diversity, the can-do spirit, the communal life of neighbour-helping-neighbour of the people; and I believe in what Cross River state can be. And my passion to serve compels me once again to stand for what is right for all Cross Riverians, to make Cross River state what it can be. I offer myself as a Cross Riverian who is concerned about the widespread unemployment that is destroying the very fabric of our society.

    What is your assessment of Liyel Imoke Administration?

    I will say fantastic. Let me remind you that, in this democratic order, we started with the Donald Duke government and the Duke government could be described as a government that has laid that irreversible foundation for growth and development in Cross River State. What we’ve witnessed right now with the present governor is that he’s been able to consolidate and actualise the dream of the foundation of that growth and development. He has not faltered or wavered. He has been someone focused on the goals of the party and he has delivered. No matter what anybody has to say, he has performed.

    The perception is that the governor is not backing your aspiratuion. What is your view?

    Well thank God you said it’s a rumour. I don’t dwell on rumours; neither do I interact with rumour mongers. I will answer in this form. Most people don’t even know how to assess relationships. They assess it from what they hear from rumour merchants and political jobbers. My people have an idiomatic way of expressing it, they say teeth and tongue fight but they are always still together.Though its impossible for humans to exist without conflict but Governor Liyel and I do not have issues on any subject for that matter. Let us even look at the interest and future of our people and then situate our relationship within it. So,you mean if for whatever reasons, Governor Liyel doesn’t not just like my face, he will stop the good people of Cross River from benefitting from my wealth of experience? No. Not the Liyel that I know.He is a perfect gentleman and a man of honour and as far as I know him, he knows what is good for our state and we enjoy a very cordial relationship.

    The challenges of governance are enormous. What makes you think that you will make a better governor?

    My belief is that before our party can decide on a person that will carry the flag of the PDP, it would have been unanimously agreed that such a person is sound and competent enough to be the candidate. Beyond that, I bring cognate experience that is not shared by any other aspirant in Cross River. I believe strongly that the years that I have worked and the experience that I have shared with the top management staff at the NNPC gives me that competitive edge to be able to continue to drive the vision of Cross River State. If it is in terms of character, if it is in terms of capability, I possess all the good qualities that you can find in anybody that will want to become the governor of Cross River State. It’s more about the people and it has to be a people person. I know that’s where my strength is. A people person is one that can be a good caretaker of the resources of the people. That’s why I see myself as the best aspirant that you can muster right now.

    What about economic development? Do you have a blueprint that would buoy the economy of Cross River State?

    Of course. As a start, our dependence on crude oil as the main source of revenue, not only exposes our economy to foreseeable shocks, it endangers our security because unemployment is presently our greatest security risk. The petrol dollar made us to unwisely ignore every other sector particularly agriculture and tourism with its huge job creation potential, thereby robbing us of a source of massive employment for our teeming youths.

    This must change because there is the real possibility that revenue from oil could fall drastically in the very near future. The discovery of shale technology to produce synthetic crude oil from oil shale has the potential of making almost every country in the world an oil producer. The United States of America, which used to be Nigeria’s biggest customer, is no longer buying our oil. Australia, Brazil, Canada, China and Estonia are already using the technology to extract oil while Morocco and Jordan have announced plans to test the technology. Coupled with growing new discovery of crude oil in African countries such as Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya, there could be oil glut in the international crude oil market that will inevitably result in falling of oil prices and revenue.  By acting decisively to restructure the economy of our state through massive investment in agriculture and rural economies, modernising and expanding our infrastructure including affordable housing, promoting tourism, entertainment and sports, assisting existing and moribund industries and encouraging new ones to set up agro-based industries, we can jump start job creation and achieve greater, more sustainable economic prosperity.

    What is your vision and what should the people of Cross River State expect from you?

    Like most Cross Riverians, I dream of a  Cross River  where those who want to work will find appropriate jobs and those who want to set up businesses can do so without bothering about the infrastructure that will enable them to succeed. I dream of a Cross River where our youths can look at us with hope and we see them as worthy future leaders. I dream of a Cross River where our tomorrow will always be better than yesterday. I dream of a Cross River where, where you come from and the languages you speak do not matter. I dream of a Cross River where the interest of all is paramount and not those of the few. I dream of a Cross River where you do not have to know a big man before you get what you deserve. I dream of a Cross River of equal opportunity and no discrimination.

    Don’t you think the electorate have heard more of words than actions from politicians?

    Well, there is always a turning point in the lives of people, I believe my being the governor of Cross River State will mark the turning point in the lives of every Cross Riverian. But I cannot claim ownership of knowledge. I believe that through collaborative and inclusive efforts and participatory governance, all Cross Riverians, working together as a state-wide team can make this dream a reality in our life time. And thanks to Governor Liyel Imoke’s forward looking decisions and investment in critical sectors of our state,we have the chance to build a better future for ourselves and our children

    What is your greatest fear?

    Fear? No. I have since conquered the fear of failure, which is the most common for most people. Only those who dare, stand the chance of climbing the ladder of success. I am not afraid of failure because I have used the strength of courage to succeed thus far and in this new calling, we are going to succeed. There are many of us in the race. We are all qualified. We are all good men and women who mean well for our state. But I can do a better job of transforming our state and taking it to the next level of development. I need the support of everyone in the party to make this happen. I also believe that my candidacy will ensure easy victory for our party in the governorship election and help our dear president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan achieve a landslide victory in the presidential election with higher voter turnout in Cross River state than he achieved in 2011. The truth is that, I am ready to take up the unfinished business of building a Cross River state of our dream which began in 1999.

  • Cross River agric programmes excellent, says minister

    Cross River agric programmes excellent, says minister

    The Federal Government has promised to partner Cross River State to reposition the Agricultural sector and stimulate its value chain.

    Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina addressed reporters in Calabar, the state capital, after inspecting facilities at the Songhai Integrated Farm, an initiative of the state government.

    Adesina said: “What (Governor Liyel) Imoke is doing is impressive. We have plans to support it because it is excellent and visionary. In Niger Delta, where Cross River is, nobody drinks oil, nobody smokes gas but everybody eats what comes from agriculture.

    “The N2.2 billion Songhai facility is to encourage young people to go into agriculture. The Federal Government is ready to support the state to diversify its economy and add value. This project will also allow young entrepreneurs to have skills in practical agriculture as well as assist youths to get jobs in agriculture.

    “The Federal Government, under its Agriculture Transformation Agenda, intends to put in place a programme, called: Young Employment in Agriculture Programme. Its focus is to create a new cadre of young commercial farmers for Nigeria to replace the present generation of farmers many of whom are getting old.

    “So, we are going to work with the state using this facility. In fact, with this programme, we are doing roughly 750,000 young farmers for Nigeria in five years.”

    The minister explained that 100 people, who had been trained by the state government to run the facility, would be incorporated into the new initiative to make them more productive.

  • How Imoke killed divisive politics in Cross River-Aide

    How Imoke killed divisive politics in Cross River-Aide

    Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene, is Special Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on Religious Matters. He is also a part-time pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). In this interview, he spoke on the peace, the cordial relationship between Christians and Moslems in the state. He particularly lauded Imoke for restoring sanity in the politics of the state by ending the divisive politics which hitherto characterised the polity. Excerpts:  

    In a state that is predominantly Christians, why do you think the office of Religious Matters headed by you as Special Adviser was imperative?

    There are three reasons why His Excellency, Governor Liyel Imoke, considered it very necessary to create this office. The churches in Cross River State requested for this office during his campaign visit to them and he decided to oblige them this request and created this office for them. The church leaders did request for a representative of a cabinet rank to run this errand for them. Secondly, Cross River State is known for its peace, and the governor wanted a platform where all faiths, religious organisations will have an office for them to relate with, an office where Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers can have and call their own. The third reason is that, Christianity and religion have a role to play in governance. Cross River State is 99 percent Christians. But how can government leverage on this population? So, this office was created for advocacy. If government wants to disseminate information, it can pass such easily through the heads of faith-based organizations, using this platform. These are the people that are taking the advocacy to the grassroots.

    The governor wanted to create a sense of equity and harmony among the various religious faiths in the state. The government accommodates all faiths. So, the same privileges that every Christian enjoys, Muslims also enjoy same. Government sponsors both faiths to their respective holy lands of Jerusalem and Mecca annually. More so, Muslims enjoy more privileges than Christians since there are in the minority, so that they can have a sense of belonging. I have since come to realise that we can actually leverage on available religious relics in the state. Cross River is one of the few states in Nigeria that religious gospel had its early impact and we are using this department to hasten our religious tourism which was not considered in the past. So, we have religious sites and infrastructure that are over 250 years and we are now opening them up to leverage for our religious tourism.

    Has the state ever had any incidence of religious skirmishes in the past which should have been the consideration for the creation of the office of Religious Matters?

    Well, Cross River State is very accommodating, now to answer that question, we have Muslim settlements in Bogobiri; we have Nasarawa also known as Bakoko and others doted across the state, especially at the local government headquarters. We have Muslim communities where they predominantly reside as their respective enclaves. When we have any religious skirmishes such as those that used to occur in the north, there were attempts for reprisal attacks in these Muslims settlements and the government of Senator Liyel Imoke, through this office, always and swiftly moved in to stave off such from happening because it is our responsibility to protect whoever lives in the state, regardless of his or her faith. So, this office is used to sheath these religious minorities. As a result, we have recorded no cases of religious violence in the state.

    So, what will you say are the major feats since the office was created, two and a half years ago?

    Let me start by saying that this department is just about two and a half years since it was created by Senator Liyel Imoke. For the achievements, first of all, apart from the peace that we have, government has been able to reach out to a lot of Christians and Muslims by way of sponsorship to pilgrimages. For some people, the only thing that they can go to the grave with is to visit the Holy lands in either Mecca or Jerusalem. Secondly, government uses this office to meet faith leaders on advisory capacity. So, rather than different church leaders talking to government individually, we have a single voice. The biggest achievement that we have enjoyed is using religious matters for public benefits. For instance, we are trying to get the church to go back into funding education, though up till now, churches are still skeptical of coming because they are afraid that government will one day take them over again. But we have assured them through this office that we will support them instead of taking over. So, those who are going into this, government is currently supporting them with grants to run their social infrastructure and leveraging on that tourism aspect which has a lot of economic impact on the state. Take for instance, next year; we are marking the hundred years of the death of the famous Scottish missionary, Mary Slessor. We are bringing people from the Church of Scotland, the Church of England, the United Kingdom missions and other dignitaries to celebrate this great legend. And we are using this celebration to raise a memorial, a charity organisation that will portray what this great woman of God stood for. Here, we are trying to ensure that our policies are captured for the people to really know what we are doing.

    Knowing who my boss is, he is always thinking way ahead of his time. He does not want the issue of religion to heat up the polity of the state any day. He felt that there should be a platform where issues pertaining to religion would be handled and he decided to do this. So, a lot of people do not know the usefulness of this office until they hear the problems we have solved so far.

    As a pastor of a church and head of this department, how do you pander to the various religious bodies or faiths without ….

    Let me put it this way; I’m not in this office because I am a pastor but because I’m a politician. That is the first thing I will love you to note. I happen to be a part-time pastor of a church. I can leverage on my relationship as a politician to reach out to the relevant religious groups. So, the issue of partisanship is out of the scheme of things. I have been to Mosques to pray with them, I’ve gone to different churches’ congregations. In fact, when I visited one of the churches, I was amazed to hear that I was the very first government official from the state that had ever visited them. I went there to prove to people that we supervise not churches, but faith-based organisations. We do not discriminate at all.

  • Cross River’s quest for land security

    Cross River’s quest for land security

    Besides bearing the status of the cleanest in the country, Calabar, the Cross River State capital also boasts of being a well-planned city.

    Governor Liyel Imoke recently emphasised this when during a function on land management that owners of land should not turn the city into a forest of concrete but to ensure whatever structures they put up is in line with the aesthetic slant of the government.

    Efforts to ensure this is maintained have been sustained through the Systematic Land Tilting and Registration exercise which is ongoing in Calabar.

    But more importantly is the exercise aims at providing land security for owners especially as the demand for land continues to grow in state which is fast becoming a hub.

    “SLTR is fast, efficient and innovative method for having the government formally recognise landowners rights to the land they are occupying, by issuing a CofO to every landowner in a specific area. This affords the owners more security for their rights and allows the land to be used as collateral for financing,” Dr Clement Oshaka, Director General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency explained.

    Coordinator of the SLTR project in the state, Mr Augustine Ojeka,  said the project entails capturing every inch of land in the state through field work to form part of an overall cadastral system that would have all the land parcels in the state represented properly.

    “It is going to help in town planning, urban renewal, projections, and even help on issues of taxation and any other revenue issues relating to properties in the state.”

    The project aims to registering every property in the state, he said.

    Thereafter they will proceed to making it possible for all who have been registered to get valid certificates of occupancy.

    He said the project has been kicked off in a particular area in Calabar, which they tagged “Proof of Concept” area.

    The area which includes Atimbo, Akim, Edim Otop communities in Calabar, he said was to check the viability of the project.

    According to him, the process was already being well received by the people and would expand eventually.

    He said the project which is a collaboration between the CRGIA and the Growth and Employment in States 3(GEMS3) was an intervention programme.

    “Being an intervention programme it is designed to be pro-poor to make sure that the poor man who has land to be able to have access to secure his land and have a C of O at very little cost.

    “When we came here initially, the governor was very appreciative of the concept. Getting to know what it is about, he granted approval and released some funding for it to kickstart.

    “GEMS3 is a project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development so they give some fund support for the project.”

    On expectations from members of the public towards the exercise, he said, “The members of the public in terms of requirement to get your property registered is nothing different from the usual practise where you are expected to come up with evidence of claim for a particular property you occupy. And every document relating to that property. In this case of SLTR, we ask you for such documents. If you have them, you present them. If you don’t have them, we try to go beyond that to see how we can establish the authenticity of your claim on that property. We capture every relevant detail including your image and identification.

    “It is designed to augment actually the normal system that is running in the CRGIA such that if there are subsequent transactions on that property, you can be sure that all documents generated relating to that transaction would always be tied to the ones that have already been captured right here in the system in the data base. So at any point references are necessary to draw on the database relating to any parcel of land, it would not be an issue of searching. You just go straight and get whatever history you need on that property and then it would now help in planning, decision making and any other administrative decisions that are necessary for management of such parcels of land.”

    “It is not just for property that has been developed. Every piece of land in the state is supposed to be registered even if it is half an inch, so long as somebody is claiming that land. Whether it is an individual, group of individuals, communities, even government property, we also capture them. They should be part of the database for reference purposes.”

    “The Proof of Concept currently ongoing is going well. We have done a lot and it is already working out. We are making projections based on what we have done. Next year hopefully we would see a larger scale implementation of this project. It is a concept that has to be proved that it is implementable.”

    Adviser to the project, an American, Mr Stephen Calder describing how they work to get the area covered said:“Basically, we work in teams and they go round every street from door to door and ask house owners to show their properties and they draw on them map and the fill our forms and  verify facts of ownership.

    “We take pictures of all documents and survey plans. We take all that information and then we come in here from hand drawn to computer drawn. All the details are captured. When we are complete with this there is one more important step to embark on which is the public display. Larger maps are put along with the list of the names and for thirty days we put them in public places and ask people to go check the names to ensure we got it right. If you have any thing to correct or dispute let us know. After that period if no one objects, it is considered to be valid and then the property goes to CRGIA after which it is reistered. After which if the people ome and pay a fee, the get a Certificate of Occupancy. They don’t pay for any of the work we do. They only pay for the C-of-O.

    “The difference in what we are doing is that before now it was up to the people to come and register their property and we call that sporadic registering, because it happens person by person and it is sporadic. But with this we register virtually everything. So it is a very valid exercise.

    “We seek to registering virtually every property within a certain area. In this instance, the proof of concept area which you see here.

    “There are two main benefits. First you are securing your land. Once the government approves of it and has it stored, it is difficult for someone to dispossess you of that land. You are secure in your land title. The other benefit is that with the C-of-O you can use your land as collateral to obtain investment capital.

    “We are starting with Atimbo, Akim, Edim Otop. The field work will run till the end of November. We commenced in July.

    “We have the plans to expand it throughout the state. But it is subject to approval. We are talking with the CRGIA and the commissioner of special projects and we hope to get funding and approval to continue this until the entire state is complete.

    “The people are receiving it well. In fact when they hear about it they come to us and say please to do theirs. They is always a few people that have distrust but by and large the response is very good especially as people get more aware.”

     

  • ‘Cross River’s N40 billion bond not a parting gift’

    ‘Cross River’s N40 billion bond not a parting gift’

    Cross River State Commissioner for Information Mr Akin Ricketts, in this session with reporters, talks about some controversial issues raging in the state. He speaks on the N40 billion bond floated by the state, which has received so much criticism as well on the concessioning of general hospitals in the state, among others. NICHOLAS KALU was there.

    Although the governor has explained why the state needs the bond there is still a lot of controversy surrounding it. The state government has even been dragged to court over it. What are your thought on this?

    I know that bond is in response to our critical financial situation. We have got some projects that are about to be completed. There is a need for us to infuse the resources to bring those projects to completion. That is why those bonds were taken for the betterment and the upliftment of the living standards and livelihood of our people in the state. So for me I would want to advise those who have gone to court or those who do not have a full understanding of the issues at stake to come for further clarification. The bond is premised on good intention for our people. There people that are saying because we are going we want to raise a bond so we can do all sorts of things to accommodate ourselves and all that kind of rubbish. That is not true. I think it is time people start talking. We have projects that need to be funded as at when due so that they would come to conclusion. That is why this bond was raised. You know something, if you are not credit worthy, and if those who are going to accede to this bond don’t have faith in us, I don’t think it will come to fruition. So I want to use this medium also to appeal to our brothers to understand what we are trying to do. It is easy to throw stones from a distance but if you come close to interface with us, the papers are there. We are a very transparent administration. We have a few months to go and so much to do. That is why we are taking this bond. Not as a parting gift to anybody but to accomplish all our very important projects.

    So, are you saying this is not a new bond?

    We are not taking a new N40 billion bond from the Capital Market as currently being misconstrued by a section of Cross Riverians and the general public. The State government is only approaching the Capital Market for the restructuring and refinancing of a part of an existing commercial banks’ loan with bonds.  This option would ease the pressure on the State’s cash-inflow, elongate the loan tenor and increase the State’s liquidity, to enhance the total completion of some legacy projects of the Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration as well as to service other pressing State financial obligations.

    Inspite of the challenges of the State’s lean finances and debt obligations, Governor Imoke had for a long time been reluctant to approach the capital market option. The administration’s successes in getting AMCON to take over control of stakes in Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and a part of the State’s debt obligations, ignited the new spirit to adopt the option of re-financing the State’s outstanding loans through the First Bank of Nigeria Capital Limited.

    What Governor Imoke is doing now is very futuristic as the next State administration stands to benefit more from the loan re-structuring and re-financing.  More funds will be available to Government to undertake other critical projects with ease.  Those harbouring such misgivings should seek clarifications from relevant government officials, rather than rush to hasty conclusions.

    Governor Imoke has been one of the most prudent Chief Executive in recent times.  Governor Imoke does not indulge in frivolities.  He justifies every kobo spent on any project and I am convinced that the re-financing of the loans will do us much good and add value to our overall wellbeing as a state.

    Some are saying it is ill timed, given the few months left for the present administration. Why should it be collected now?

    I think I can appreciate where they are coming from, but you see, projects cannot wait just because an administration is on its last spin. We cannot afford to stall these projects. They must come to fruition. Do you know for instance what we stand to benefit when the convention centre is completed.

    Over time the state has been clamouring for compensation for Bakassi, and late last year, the federal government reportedly gave about N6 billion to the state and subsequently the state has been getting N400 million monthly since June last year. Now nothing seems to be done and people are worried the money is being diverted. Can you tell us why this is so?

    In Cross River State, we do not divert funds. Monies that were received for the purposes of the Bakassi situation are being applied accordingly and that is all I can say at this time in that regards. As far as I am concerned, funds that are being received are being applied.

    How are the displaced persons faring?

    How would you fare if you are displaced? Of course they would be more comfortable if they are in their natural habitat, but I am sure as a human being we can understand their plight. They were displaced for no fault of theirs and were not really consulted in that regards. But be that as it may, the federal and state governments are doing all they can to make them as comfortable as can be.

    The state government recently concessioned public hospitals. Some are saying it is not ethical and that the government is selling of its hospitals. Also many are afraid it would create an unemployment crisis as many workers would be dropped?

    The intention of the administration is to ensure our people get effective healthcare delivery. That is the bottom line. These hospitals were not sold as being purported. They were given to professionals to run. In a layman’s term, they were given to people with capacity to run them. The state would gain two fold. The people would have effective healthcare service. The state itself would benefit from this arrangement. It is a PPP arrangement. We are not in the business of selling what we have built and what we stand for. The interest of the populace is at the mind of the government. These institutions have not been sold. They have only being leased. On the part of the civil servants, the government staff there, it would also enhance their capacity. I want to believe that we have capable hands in the government service. I don’t want to believe that they will be laid off. If you are effective in what you do you will only add value to what there is.

    In a few months it will be elections. Is it true some members of the exco, which you are part of, are boxing the governor to a corner to supporting one of you to succeed him?

    You amuse me with this question, because I believe all of you know my principal. Is he the kind of man you can box to a corner? I don’t think anyone in the exco has the capacity to box the governor to a corner. He has said over and over that we will all sit down and decide who becomes the next governor of Cross River State. There is no way he can be boxed.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    between the state and federal governments because they are both PDP states and we have the worst roads in the state and all are federal roads. What is the advantage of being a PDP state under this condition?

     

    We have the best of relationships with the federal government. If you check the last elections, we actually gave a hundred per cent support and vote. However, you know some of these things take time and sometimes good intentions are misread. I am sure the president is doing all within his power. However as a state you can see our efforts. If you go towards the Odukpani axis you will see what we are doing. We have gone beyond mediating to full construction. At the end of the day we would be better off for it. I am sure the federal government is doing what they can because one would expect that after giving them the support, we would have commensurate compensation.

     

    Don’t you think the roads are killing tourism in the state? For instance, the road to the ranch is in a complete state of disrepair.          

     

    It is true the roads are in as state one would expect. However, we want to implore the state government to expedite action in their bid to fix the roads. The state of the roads actually has adverse impact on our tourism drive. People fly into Calabar and most people want to take the scenic routes. That is they want to go by road. It takes them three times the duration to cover that distance and that is sad. You know what it is with the kind of drivers plying our roads. Sometimes if we don’t have very good roads, it becomes death traps. So we are just praying the government expedite what should be done so we don’t get to that situation.

     

  • Cross River votes N2.4b for water

    Cross River votes N2.4b for water

    The Cross River State government yesterday awarded a N2.4 billion contract for the construction and expansion of the Okpoma,  Yala water scheme.

    This is coming barely a month after the government awarded contracts for two other water schemes, including the Phase 2 of the Ikom Water Project.

    Speaking during the contract award signing ceremony yesterday, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Elemi Etowa said this was part of efforts to attain the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of providing  potable water to over 80 per cent of its populace.

    Etowa said: “All the necessary facilities in terms of funding needed to actualise the remaining water projects have been secured from donor agencies and we are working towards the full implementation of the various projects within the shortest possible time.

    “At the exit of the Imoke-led administration next year, we will surpass our target of delivering potable water to 80 per cent of the urban populace and 80 per  cent to rural dwellers through our intervention in Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSA). “We hope that by the time we commission all the projects earmarked, we would have exceeded this target. We are going to Okpoma and other rural areas to revive lives through the provision of potable water because as they say, water is life. Let me assure Cross Riverians that we will deliver these projects according to specifications and on schedule, none of them will be abandoned.”

    In his remarks, Governor Liyel Imoke, who expressed excitement at the successful implementation of the various water projects across the state, pointed out that “this particular project is very significant because it covers over 14 communities in a very challenging terrain.”

    Stressing the importance of Public Private Partnership (PPP)  of the state government, he said with the policy in the state, “we believe that water projects should be maintained on PPP basis with the engagement of operators who will sustain the scheme as well as ensure quality service delivery to the masses.”

    “I thank the World Bank which is the implementation partner for this particular project and the French Development Bank who came into the state and appreciated what we are doing in the area of water supply and decided to support our modest effort  to provide potable water to the citizenry.”

    While charging the contracting firm to bring its over twenty years of experience in the sector to bear on the execution of the projects by delivering high quality service, Imoke called on the beneficiary communities to give them the necessary support to ensure timely completion of the project.

  • ‘No Ebola case in Cross River’

    ‘No Ebola case in Cross River’

    There is no case of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Cross River State, Commissioner for Information Akin Ricketts said yesterday.

    He was reacting to a rumour in the social media that an EVD patient was being treated at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Teaching Hospital.

    In a statement, Ricketts said: “Consequent upon the unsolicited but unfortunately rife rumour about the existence of an EVD case in Calabar, the government wishes to set the records straight. There is no EVD case in the state.

    “This heinous rumour is being peddled in the social media by some unscrupulous facebook users and this has started creating panic among residents.

    “Please rest assured that the Ministry of Health, which is coordinating the Cross River Ebola Response Team, the authorities of UNICAL Teaching Hospital and other stakeholders in the health sector have confirmed that there is no Ebola case in Cross River.

    “The government urges residents to disregard this rumour and continue to enjoy the prevailing peace and tranquility in the state. We urge residents to go about their daily routine and warn users of the social media to be mindful of the information they spread, as the government will not hesitate to take necessary actions against anyone found involved in the spread of such falsehood.

    “Residents are encouraged to observe basic hygiene and precautionary measures stated by the State Ebola Response Team, as this would go a long way in curbing the spread of this disease.

    “We assure residents of the government’s commitment to ensure that Cross River remains free of Ebola.”

  • Boundary disputes: Ebonyi, C’River set up peace committee

    The Ebonyi and Cross River State governments have constituted an 84 man “Joint Governors’ Committee to resolve the protracted boundary dispute existing between both states.

    The committee terms of reference is to determine the immediate and remote causes behind the age-long boundary dispute.

    The committee held its maiden meeting in Calabar under the leadership of deputy governors of both states, Engr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Mr. Efiok Cobham (Calabar) respectively.

    The committee is also to determine the factors responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives in the affected states and propose a lasting panacea to the disputes.

    Also, it is expected to set up conflict resolution mechanisms for the communities in each sector with a view to maintaining a peaceful co-existence.

    The committee is to submit detailed report and recommendations to the governors of both states on or before November 30,2014.

    In a communique at the end of the meeting, which was signed by the deputy governors and the attorney-generals of both states, the committee appreciated the prevailing peace between the communities in recent times.

    At the end of the meeting, Ebonyi deputy governor, Umahi, told reporters that peace was paramount to both states and could not be compromised.

  • ‘Imoke ‘ll not impose anybody on Cross River’

    ‘Imoke ‘ll not impose anybody on Cross River’

    A socio-political group, the Grassroots Solidarity Movement (GSM), has said contrary to speculations, Governor Liyel Imoke would not impose anybody as governor on Cross River State.

    The body, supporting Goddy Jedy-Agba as the next governor, said the state needs somebody who has the desire to lead and not someone waiting to be anointed.

    Spokesman for the group, Elder Wilson Ajogbor, after a meeting at the weekend in Calabar, said Imoke being a democrat would not want to be associated with imposition.

    Ajogbor, a lawyer, said of Jedy-Agba: “He is a man who has offered himself to continue the good work of Governor Imoke. While other politicians are waiting to be handpicked, Jedy-Agba has said he has what it takes to take over.

    “In other states, people are making things to happen. But here, nothing is happening because people are afraid. Cross River State indigenes have moved beyond being spineless. We are grateful to the governor because he has not antagonised anybody for showing interest in the governorship.”

  • 2015: Cross River youths deplore campaign of calumny

    A group under the aegis of Cross River Youths Initiative has frowned on what it described as the campaign of calumny against some political leaders by a faceless group, the Movement Against Third Slavery.

    In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Akwaji Erunke, the group warned that it would no longer take kindly to the smear campaign going on against those who have laboured over the years to bring about stability in the polity of Cross River State.

    Alluding particularly to the several insidious newspaper advertorials, which it noted were tantamount to causing angst among the unenlightened public,  Cross River Youths Initiative said: “Our attention has been drawn to the ongoing campaign by a faceless and desperate group under the self-seeking and self-promoting banner of Movement Against Third Slavery, aimed at causing disaffection in the polity.

    “We have watched carefully the activities of these disgruntled and misguided elements, who are bent on eking out a living by parroting the selfish agenda of their paymaster. While we are not against anyone nursing a political ambition, we are particularly concerned about the approach and methodology deployed in the pursuit of such aspiration.”

    Warning that Cross Riverians are now wiser to be hoodwinked by money politics, which the youth group said, has acquired a dated appeal in the state politics, Erunke noted that “Cross River people can no longer be short-changed by the ongoing subterranean doling out of handouts by a certain fledgling desperate politician in a bid to buy their conscience.”