The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cross River

  • Between Cross River and Katsina

    SIR: I must confess that Professor Ben Ayade’s approach to governance impressed me. His effort to transform Cross River State into an industrial hub is commendable. Recently, the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) placed a N3 billion order for the state to supply rice seedlings to all the states in the southern part of the country.

    Ayade, unlike other governors, is focused, resilient and using his God-given intellect to turn round the fortune of his state. According to Ayade “The rice seeds and seedlings factory was my first term project. What we are doing here is to produce high quality and disease resistant seedlings to farmers and we have started reaping from our labour”.

    He further stated that “Cross River is trying to take a lead but with almost zero allocation relative to our overhead costs, but that is where the joy lies, because if the governor’s job is to sit down and receive allocations, award contracts and approve payment then, any Tom, Dick and Harry can be a governor”.

    “The beauty of a governor comes when there is creativity where the intellect comes to play and you take decisions that will affect the populace positively. I see the prosperity ahead and I feel a sense of pride. That today, we are industrializing with visible factories and companies already employing our teeming youths. So, I cannot achieve this by sitting down in an air conditioned office, I must move to the field.”

    This is not the story from my beloved Katsina State, in spite of the huge resources wasted at convening an economic and investment summit held at the conference hall, Katsina State secretariat complex, Katsina on May 10, 2016, where various recommendations were made by intellectuals and captains of industries on economic roadmaps aimed at tapping and unlocking the wealth in the state and resource endorsements. One of the presenters, a brilliant Ivy League economist, had in a forlorn hope, wished that the conclusions reached at the summit could be used “to close the observed policy gaps”. This was our silent prayers, too.

    However, the state of recent is characterized by banditry and an army of unemployed youth. Ayade succeeded because of his vision, drive and tenacity. He has at his disposal a competent team to help him pilot the affairs of the state. In Katsina State, today, complacency, despondency and crass opportunism have taken over a once vibrant, hospitable and peace loving people. This cannot be unconnected with the manipulative and divisive ideologues that have taken over the religious and political space in the state.

    The question still remains, when will my state be availed with a progressive and transformational leader like Professor Ben Ayade, who represents the hope of my generation?

    • Ibrahim Sani, Kofarbai, Katsina.

  • Ex-commissioner donates to Cameroonian refugees in Cross River

    The immediate past Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Inyang Asibong, on Sunday donated food and other items to Cameroonian refugees in the state to mark the 2019 Day of The African Child.

    The theme of this year’s is, “Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s rights first’’.

    Asibon, donated food items such as indomie, beverages, rice, toiletries, insecticides nets and drugs to children at the refugee settlement in Ogoja local government area of the state.

    She said that the gesture was to give hope, love and care to the African child in despair.

    She said that the theme was timely in view of the humanitarian call for assistance for those in crisis and violence situations.

    According to her, there was no better way to celebrate the African child than visiting the camp to donate food items and other materials to the refugees with a view of giving them a sense of belonging.

    Read Also: Williams, Bassey are Cross River Speaker, Deputy Speaker

    “The theme for this year is actually humanitarian aid and I think there is no better place to celebrate the African Child than the refugee’s camp where we have over 27,000 Cameroonian refugees.

    “We are here to celebrate the children; we came with a lot of items for them in other to add to their nutritional value. We have checked the children and found out that more is needed to beef up their nutritional value.

    “With the support of the Cross River Government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), we are doing our best in ensuring that the refugees get their basic needs, shelter and food.

    “We are here also to boost their morale; we know what is means to leave your ancestral home to an unknown place,’’ she said.

    The former Commissioner advised the children to have a positive outlook towards life, and urged them to be of good conduct in the settlement.

    Acting Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, said that the state government was doing its best in supplying the refugees with food, drugs, security and shelter.

    Ayim, who said that the African Child needed support and educational development to build a good society, called on the federal government and other donor agencies to support the state government in the running of the refugee settlement.

    “The future is all about the children, the way we take care of the children is the same way our future will look like. We need to educate them properly and also teach them good morale for the growth of the society,’’ he said.

    He said the number of Cameroonian refugees was increasing daily, and that the settlement has been over stretched.

    “For now, the state government and the UNHCR have created some extra settlement so that we can relocate some of the refugees because if we allow the number to keep increasing, they could be an outbreak of diseases.

    “The state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade is a humanitarian, he is not taking any chances in ensuring that the welfare and health needs of the refugees are met,’’ he said.

     

  • Cross River doctors threaten strike in 48 hours

    Medical doctors in Cross River have threatened to withdraw their services over incessant kidnapping of its members.

    This was contained in a communiqué by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) jointly signed by its chairman, Dr Agam Ayuk and Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke, after its emergency general meeting on Wednesday in Calabar.

    They said they decided on this following the kidnap of one its member, Dr Ogbonna Uchenna-Aju on May 3 while he was travelling from Ogoja local government area to his house in Obudu local government area

    The communiqué said the kidnap of the Uchenna-Aju had brought psychological trauma and emotional destabilization to members of his family and the NMA in Cross River.

    “The state government and security agencies are given 48 hours to facilitate the unconditional release of Dr Ogbonna Uchenna-Aju.

    “Failure to secure his release at the expiration of this ultimatum, NMA in Cross River will proceed on a total and indefinite withdrawal of medical services in both the private, public and institutional hospitals in the state.

    Read Also: Cross River workers unhappy with May salary advance

    “The hospitals include University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, General Hospitals, Medical Centres, Mission Hospital and Private Clinic/Hospitals from 12 midnight of May 9th.

    “NMA is not unmindful of the impact of strike action on the good people of the state.

    “However, we cannot continue to save lives while ours is under constant threat by armed bandits and kidnappers,” the statement read.

     

  • Cross River workers unhappy with May salary advance

    Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has promised to pay the new N30, 000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.

    Ayade, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Tina Agbor, promised to implement the new minimum wage as soon as necessary modalities are sorted out by the Federal Government.

    The governor made this known at the May Day rally in Calabar on Wednesday just as workers in the state got their salaries for the month of May.

    Read Also: Cross River NYSC seeks renovation of camp facilities

    The state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Clarkson Otu, said workers and the leadership of labour were unhappy over such early payment of salaries by the state government even though the government means well.

    “As labour leaders we do not support it (early salaries payment). We have told His Excellency that it is not proper.

    “April salary was paid only last week and on May 1st he pays May salary. We are surprised he still paid early this month in spite of our protest. We will continue to engage him on that,” he said.

    The state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ben Ukpepi also decried the early payment of salaries by the state government.

    Ukpepi said the leadership of labour under him will engage with the governor with a view to putting an end to early payments of salaries in the state.

  • BudgIT to Cross River: halt N648b superhighway project

    A civic technology organisation, BudgIT, has warned the Cross River State government to halt the proposed N648 billion Superhighway project.

    The organisation said its advice was based on the “undue financial hazard and avoidable hardship that would plague the state for the next 100 years should the government compound its existing debt burden with the project.” A statement by its Communication Lead, Shakir Akorede, alleged that the government had already transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly to approve modalities for the repayment through “Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) for N300 million per month for 180 years.”

    It described the project as overly ambitious, superfluous and almost a misplaced priority.

    The statement reads: “For the umpteenth time, BudgIT is raising alarm over this attempt to hold public resources to ransom. Suspecting an obstinate intention of the Ayade-led government to defraud the people of Cross River, we deem the project overly ambitious, superfluous and almost a misplaced priority, especially besides its viability to investors when there has been hardly any explanation on ‘infallible plans’ to upscale the state revenue and clear cumulative debts, let alone fix the human and environmental costs of the project.”

    According to BudgIT, the project, estimated at N648 billion, fails all tests of fiscal sustainability and proper procurement process. It said the government has failed to name the investors, four years down the drain.

    The statement added: “With a budget estimate of N648 billion, the 275km Superhighway fails all tests of fiscal sustainability and proper procurement process, as the government has unacceptably failed to name the investors, four years down the drain. The purported appointment of MESSRS SYDNEY Construction Company as contractors for the Superhighway was done without a clear, transparent tender process, we maintain.

    “Cross River has the fourth largest external debt among states, all thanks to its obsession with phantom projects without Federal Government institutional support. As of December 31, 2018, the state’s domestic debt stood at N167.96 billion, according to the Debt Management Office of Nigeria (DMO).

    “Ostensibly, it is financially myopic for the state to pursue this project, especially with its approved budget not reflecting the realities of its total revenue uptake. In 2017, Cross River was only able to generate N41.6 billion, with its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accounting for 34.58 per cent (N18.1 billion). Yet, the government has come up with a proposed budget of N1.4 trillion for 2019.

    “The government claims that investors will make returns on their investment through collected toll fees from vehicles and trucks that ply the highway, evacuating the proposed Bakassi deep sea port. Our analysis has, however, showed that it will take over 100 years for the funds to be recouped. This has been validated by the ISPO request. More so, the Bakassi deep sea port is still yet to exist, and up till now, no organisation has signed up to the funding of the deep-sea port project.

    “Considering the poor conditions of other “mega-projects” embarked upon by the government, such as the Tinapa project, an expensive outlay that collapsed with weak port infrastructure and lack of connection to the grid, and the rot in Obudu Cattle Ranch, all projects that have had little or no impact on the livelihood of the citizens, it would not be wise for the government of Cross River to ransom the future generations with unnecessary debt that would take two centuries to vanish.

    “Our observation in the past is that state governments get clearance from the Ministry of Finance/Debt Management Office before they can proceed on new debts. We are alarmed that the Minister of Finance is quiet on this issue, just as we are shocked to observe the deafening silence of the Federal Government, which seemingly means a “go ahead” nod.

    “As much as we encourage innovative ideas and are eager to see state governments turbocharge their internal revenues and assert fiscal independence, we believe this project is a wrong step in the wrong direction, as it doesn’t conform to the three pillars of sustainable development—economic growth, social development and environmental protection.”

    BudgIT advised the government to focus its funds on viable and more financially realistic projects such as information technology hubs, renewable energy facilities for Agric processing, stronger eco-tourism profile for the state and large-scale empowerments for local SMEs.

    But Ayade said BudgIT had not availed itself of facts regarding the economic value of the superhighway.

    His Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, said: “It is not just like telling the American government not to build a major infrastructure. How does that even sound? How do economies even grow? Economies grow when you spend money on infrastructure. We are saying this superhighway is a corridor that would lead to the Bakassi deep seaport.

    “The project is on course, and we are saying that Cross River can never be caught in that web where Lagos is today, where you have just one major highway, but which is locked. This is a road that would generate money for the state. So while BudgIT would be looking at it, it has not taken time to avail itself of facts about that project.

    “Despite the fact that Cross River receives about the second lowest allocation, it was still among the five states that showed promise of meeting its financial demands. BudgIT should go beyond this, we have known it over time that it was not in support of the superhighway.”

     

     

  • Suspected militants kill policeman in Cross River

    An unidentified policeman was killed in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State by suspected militants last Friday.

    Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said an investigation has been launched into the matter.

    She said the policeman was at his duty post when suspected militants stormed the place and shot him.

    Read also: Policemen to undergo weapon handling training

    According to eyewitnesses, the policeman bled to death from the bullet wound.

    Bakassi local government area had been under the siege of militants until the Federal Government had to send in soldiers to quell the situation.

    Militant groups operating in the area had also publicly given up arms.

  • C/River to fast-track attainment of universal health coverage

    Cross River State Commissioner of Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, has called on stakeholders to articulate concept notes that would fast-track the Ministry’s drive to attaining universal health coverage in the state.

    Asibong made the call at a five-day training workshop by the Cross River State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Population Council, World Health Organization and the Center for Human Resources for Health Management Training, University of Calabar on Human Resources for Health (HRH) for health resource managers from the ministry and stakeholder stakeholders in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joseph Adim Bassey, the Commissioner said there are available opportunities to be explored that could address issues of sustainability.

    She said the training had opened their eyes the abundant human resources that have hitherto been untapped.

    The Commissioner said the Ministry of Health is ready to collaborate with the University of Calabar and the Center for Human Resources for Health Management Training (Center for Excellence) to address needs in other health related issues.

    READ ALSO: Farmers drag Cross River government to court over Boki oil palm estate

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana I. Akpagu, said human resource managers need to be vocal and active within the health community, and therefore, require training and re- training.

    The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Prof. Idongesit Akpabio, charged participants that the workshop should not end in work planning alone, but also work towards implementation.

    The Country Representative of Population Council in Nigeria, Dr. Sylvia Adebajo, expressed gratitude to the Global Affairs Canada for supporting Population Council in terms of capacity building in Human Resource for Health Managers.

    Speaking through Mr. Godwin Unumeri, he also thanked the Cross River State Government’s commitment to accelerated Health Care delivery in the State.

  • Breaking: Owan-Enoh, Usani granted substituted service on Ayade

    The Cross River State Governorship Tribunal sitting in Calabar on Wednesday granted Senator John Owan-Enoh and Pastor Usani Usani separate orders for substituted service on Governor Ben Ayade, who won the Cross River State gubernatorial election on March 9 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

    Owan Enoh, a serving senator representing the central district of the state and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani, had been in a tough battle over who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Both had filed separate petitions, challenging Ayade, the incumbent governor, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the outcome of the election.

    Owan-Enoh in a suit with number EPT/CAL/GOV/01/2019 had dragged Ayade and INEC, first and second respondents respectively, to court. Also Usani in another case with number EPT/CAL/02/2019 had also dragged INEC, Ayade and the PDP as first second and third respondents respectively

    In court on Wednesday Counsel to Owan-Enoh, M. O. Inyang, who held brief for Awa Kalu, in a motion exparte application for hearing, sought an order seeking substituted service on the first respondent (Ayade).

    In a motion exparte dated April 8, 2019 and filed on April 9, Inyang said there are four grounds for the application, but the paramount was the fact that the bailiff of the court had made fervent efforts to service Ayade personally to no avail.

    Read Also: Ayade, Lalong, Masari, others get INEC’s certificates of return

    The application was supported by a three-paragraph affidavit, an exhibit, which was the affidavit of non-service, as well as a written address in support of the application.

    Chairman of the three-man governorship panel, Justice Josiah Majebi, said the application had merit and granted that Ayade can be served by pasting the notice of service on the wall of the PDP State secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway.

    In the second matter filed by Usani, his lawyer, Henrie Ituen, also in a motion exparte dated and filed on April 9, 2019 sought an order to serve the second respondent, Ayade, though substituted means by pasting it at the governor’s office in Diamond Hill.

    Attached to it also was an eight-paragraph affidavit, exhibit (affidavit of non service and a written application.

    This was also granted.

  • Police assures corps members of safety in Cross River

    The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Austine Agbonlahor, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state that their safety is his priority.

    The Police Commissioner made the promise, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Obubra local government area, where the 2019 Batch ‘A’Corps Members numbering over 2000 presently undergoing their orientation.

    Abgonlahor assured that the NYSC would get his support whenever he is needed, as the scheme has remained a reliable tool in fostering national unity and integration in the country.

    Read also: Ayade, others receive certificates of return in Cross River

    He stated that the State Police Command under his leadership will continue to interface with the NYSC, and that the visit was to shows the level of importance the Police has attached to the members of the scheme.

    The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Adegoke Adewale, expressed delight at the Commissioner’s kind gesture towards the NYSC, and promised to strengthen the existing relationship between both institutions.

    END

  • Cross River NYSC seeks renovation of camp facilities

    The Cross River State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Adegoke Ayodele has called on the state government to assess the critical condition of facilities at the permanent orientation camp in Obubra with a view to an overall renovation.

    Mr. Adegoke, who made the call during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2019 Batch “A” Corps Members at the orientation camp in Obubra, requested the state government’s intervention in the renovation and expansion of camp lecture hall, as well as the completion of makeshift hostels for the comfort of the huge number of prospective corps members that usually seek to serve in the state.

    The Coordinator said 2,135 Corps Members comprising 1,103 males and 1,032 females were duly registered as at the time of the swearing-in ceremony.

    Read Also: Cross River: APC alleges killing of members

    He said they had demonstrated high sense of commitment and loyalty since their arrival on the camp.

    Ayodele advised the corps members to key into the camp activities which are meant to prepare them for self-reliance both during and after their service year.

    Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, who was represented by the Head of Administration, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Chief. (Barr.) Egbala Edom said, “It is already on record that the Cross River State government has taken the lead nationwide as the most youth friendly government in the nation and will not relent on our oars in keeping with this well earned reputation of ours.”

    The governor said the government will do everything possible to ensure the security of law abiding citizens especially members of the National Youth Service Corps.

    Governor Ayade also appreciated the management of the NYSC for the robust sensitization given to all corps members who participated in the just concluded general elections where they conducted themselves with high sense of decorum across the 18 local government areas of the state.