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Tag: Imoke

  • Imoke proposes N176b for 2014

    Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State yesterday proposed a budget of N176,310,968,801.07 for the 2014 fiscal year.

    This represents a 17 per cent increase over the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

    Presenting the budget at the House of Assembly in Calabar, he said guided by the fundamental principle that capital appropriation takes pre-eminence over recurrent expenditure, they would maintain their 70:30 ratio.

    Imoke, who tagged it: “BUDGET OF PROGRESSION”, said it was an important tenet of the state’s fiscal prudence, which would ensure that it continually prioritised developmental projects and programmes over short-term recurrent expenditure.

    He said: “Mr. Speaker, this guiding principle is also important as it is one of the ways we can guarantee that all our ongoing development projects can be completed before the end of this administration in 2015.”

    The governor said in 2014 the state would strive to leverage on its revenue sources to boost agriculture and tourism and other sectors of the service economy; create a conducive platform for enhanced foreign direct investment; and, strive to complete all capital projects initiated by the government.

    He said with the ongoing reforms of the management of the Internal Revenue Service, it is expected that there will be a boost in IGR to achieve revenue target in 2014.

    “Government will explore the possibility of raising revenue through the identity management and e-payment back bone project. It will curb revenue leakages through pay direct system on all government transactions, commence back duty tax audit, recovery of withholding taxes from banks, aggressive tax drive on PAYE defaulting firms and reactivate tax offices across the state.”

  • Imoke bans motorcycles in Calabar

    Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross State has issued an executive order banning the use of motorcycles in Calabar, the state capital and its environs.

    In a statement by the state’s Security Adviser, Mr. Rekpene Bassey, the governor said any violation of the order would attract a severe penalty.

    It read: “Governor Imoke has issued an executive order of total ban on the use of motorcycles in Calabar and its environs. This order comes into full force from October 25.

    “Consequently, any violation of this order will attract appropriate and severe penalties, including the impounding of the motorcycles irrespective of whether or not the rider is wearing a crash helmet.

    “This action is in the interest of the safety, security and welfare of all persons in the state capital, particularly following the persistent abuse of exemption accorded motorcycle owners and users by the governor.”

    The statement, however, said there were arrangements to grant special passes and identification to persons performing special duties requiring the use of motorcycles, including courier services.

  • Ranch Resort not affected- Imoke’s aide

    Ranch Resort not affected- Imoke’s aide

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Mr. Christian Ita, has clarified that the multi-billion naira Obudu Ranch Resort was not affected by the mudslide that occurred in Utanga village in the early hours of Tuesday.

    In a statement issued in Calabar yesterday, Ita said the clarification became necessary to douse any anxiety over the safety of the prime holiday resort.

    It also debunked claims that guests at the resort were trapped in the mudslide, stating that every single guest at the resort was successfully evacuated from the facility.

    “The mudslide did not occur on the mountain as is being speculated and the Resort Cable Car was not affected at all. Neither were any of the facilities at the resort.

    “In fact, the mudslide did not occur at the Resort but on the road leading to the Resort. Guests who were spending the Sallah holidays at the Resort were taken in the cable car to the Water Park at the bottom hill,” the statement said.

    It assured that the rubble which made the road impassable would be cleared within three to five days.

    It also assured that the Obudu Mountain Race would go on as scheduled on November 23.

  • Imoke leads govt delegation to UAE

    Imoke leads govt delegation to UAE

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ibrahim Auwalu has informed that the Golden Eaglets’number 1 supporter, Senator Liyel Imoke , the Executive Governor of Cross River State (CON) will arrive in Dubai in the early hours of today en route to Al Ain to cheer the team to victory against Mexico.

    The message of solidarity was delivered to the team’s officials at their Dinat Resort Hotel Friday evening ahead of their opening game against defending champions Mexico when the Ambassador visited the team alongside some members of his family.

    He said: “Again I want to assure you that Nigerians including President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) believe in this team and tomorrow (today), Governor Imoke would be here with his entourage to support the team.”

    Golden Eaglets’ Team Administrator, Tayo Egbaiyelo thanked the amiable Ambassador for finding time out of his busy schedule to visit the team as well as his assistance since the team’s arrival about three weeks ago in the Gulf Emirates.

  • Imoke seeks N800m for new poly

    Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has sought the approval of the House of Assembly to withdraw N800 million from the reserve fund.

    The money is meant for intervention to cater for infrastructural projects at a new polytechnic in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government.

    Governor Imoke, in a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Larry Odey, said the fund would sustain the execution of the ongoing projects in the institution.

    Said he: “Following the dwindling finance of the state, particularly in recent months, it has become imperative to withdraw from the reserve fund to complete the ongoing projects at the Cross River State Polytechnic, Ugep, to meet the National Board for Technical Education’s (NBTE’s) requirements for accreditation and early takeoff of the institution.”

    Imoke said the government in 2006 set up a reserve fund for emergencies and future uses.

    He said on a monthly basis, the state government contributes N50 million to the reserve fund and local governments N18 million, which amounts to N816 million annually.

  • Imoke: Calabar will be too hot for Ethiopia

    Imoke: Calabar will be too hot for Ethiopia

    Cross River state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has said the Canaan city of Calabar, will be too hot for the Waylain Antelopes of Ethiopia, when they come for the return leg match against the Super Eagles on November 16.

    It was generally assumed that the Ethiopians used the high altitude to thier advantage in the game against Nigeria last Sunday but still lost, but the Governor who spoke while watching the game between the Antelopes and the Eagles has now said there will be no hiding place for the visitors in Calabar.

    Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe quoted that amiable governor as saying during the road work for the 2013 Calabar Carnival on the day the Eagles were tackling the Antelopes in Addis Ababa, that the Ethiopians will be well taken care of, there will no compromise in terms of the results. “I trust the Super Eagles to get the job done and done quickly and after that we will give all our visitors including the Ethiopians the typical Calabar hospitality because we remain the preferred tourism destination not only in Nigeria but in the entire African continent”, he said.

    Ugbe said Governor Imoke has other plans in stock for the Nigerian side on the day but prefers to keep it close to his chest at the moment. “When the time comes we will unveil other things we have in stock for the national team but in the meantime, we wish to say that Calabar will be no hiding place for the Antelopes come November 16”.

  • Imoke hails Eagles

    Imoke hails Eagles

    Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke says he is confident the Super Eagles have already booked their flight to Brazil for next year’s FIFA World Cup following their 2-1 win against the Walya Ibex of Ethiopia in the first leg of their play-off tie in Addis Ababa Sunday evening and will only need to re-confirm it in Calabar next month when the return leg is played.

    Governor Imoke made this assertion while congratulating the team for making good the promise that they will repay the confidence he (the governor) has in them by accepting to host their home games since the qualifiers began.

    “Like all Nigerians,I congratulate the team for showing the true,never-say-never die Nigerian spirit during the match.When they were a goal down and many were already expressing the fear that a repeat of what happened in 2006 looked imminent, the boys rose to the occassion and came back to win the match,”said Imoke who was making a final inspection of plans for the annual Calabar festival which normally start in late November/early December.

    ‘The Super Eagles have certainly set a new date for the start of our annual Calabar festival because we will make the return leg of the match on November 16 here in Calabar a real carnival for the team. So our carnival will be kick-started on that date with the clinching of the 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket”,he further said and assured the team and the Nigeria Football Federation of his and the state’s willingness to pull out all the stops to ensure the return leg match will only be the icing on the cake the team has baked in Addis Ababa.

    ‘Calabar has always been a veritable fishing ground for Nigerian national teams and the Super Eagles will not be an exception.The Golden Eaglets played their qualifiers here to book their World Cup ticket. Even in athletics this is where Blessing Okagbare began her journey to winning two historic medals for Nigeria at the last IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia. It was here in Calabar she won the 100m (for the fifth consecutive time),200m and long jump titles, a feat unprecendented in the history of track and field in Nigeria. So, let the party begin,’ Imoke assured.

  • Imoke mourns victims, calls for inquest

    Imoke mourns victims, calls for inquest

    The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Technical, Omoku, Rivers State, Chief Linus Okom, has expressed shock and disbelief news of the crash of Lagos-Akure-bound Associated Airlines flight carrying the remains of former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, which crashed in Lagos on Thursday, minutes after take-off from Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

    Imoke who described the incident as tragic, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: “It was unfortunate and horrendous that the country was losing some of its brightest and vibrant young men in their prime to air mishap at a time the government was investing so much in the aviation sector reforms.”

    According to Governor Imoke, “by their death, the nation has been deprived of their yet unharnessed talents and ideas which would be difficult to replace.”

    While condoling with families of the crash victims, Governor Imoke called for a thorough inquest into the crash to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ill-fated chartered plane.

    The governor prayed for the souls of the crash victims to repose in the Lord while urging their families to bear the painful loss with fortitude.

  • Imoke redeems AFCON pledges

    Imoke redeems AFCON pledges

    Cross Rivers State Governor Liyel Imoke has redeemed the promise he made to players and officials of the Super Eagles for lifting the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Imoke had pledged the sum of twenty four million naira and a plot of land each to the team following their exploits in South Africa earlier this year.

    The Governor, who was part of the guests at the U.J Esuene stadium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi on Saturday, released the money and the land on Friday evening to the team.

    The announcement of the pledge was made at the stadium during the encounter, according to the announcer, the governor fulfilled his pledge as a way to motivate the team for Saturday’s match.

    Super Eagles arrived in Calabar on Monday in preparation for the game against Malawi. Calabar has been the home ground for the Super Eagles qualifying matches.

    Super Eagles defeated ten-man Malawi 2-0 to progress to the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.

    Emmanuel Emenike’s 45th minute and Victor Moses’ 54th minute goals gave Nigerians deserved victory.

    The African Champions had the control of the match since the blast of the whistle till the end of the game.The Malawians played to frustrate the coach Stephen keshi-tutored side but all their efforts were quashed by defenders.

     

  • Imoke gives Eagles N24m, plots of land

    Cross Rivers State Governor Lyle Imoke has redeemed his promise made to players and officials of the Super Eagles.
    Imoke had pledged the sum of N24 million  and a plot of land each to the team following their 2013 Africa Cup of Nation success in South Africa.
    The Governor, who was part of the guests at the U.J Esuene stadium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi on Saturday, released the money and the land on Friday evening to the team.
    The announcement of the pledge which was made at the stadium during encounter on Saturday , according to the announcer, was  to motivate the team for match against Malawi.
    Super Eagles arrived in Calabar on Monday in preparation for the game against Malawi. Calabar has been the home ground for the Super Eagles qualifying matches.
    Super Eagles defeated ten-man Malawi 2-0 to progress to the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.
    Emmanuel Emenike’s 45th minute and Victor Moses’ 54th minute goals gave the Eagles the  deserved victory.
    The African Champions had the control of the match since the blast of the whistle till the end of the game.
    The Malawians played to frustrate the coach Stephen keshi-tutored side with all their efforts was quashed by the East African team defenders.