TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ayade

  • Gov Ayade frees 34 prisoners to commemorate Cross River at 50

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has granted a state pardon to 34 inmates serving various jail terms in Calabar Prison to mark the 50th Anniversary of the state.

    Ayade said this on Saturday in Calabar in his anniversary speech to the people of the state.

    He said that Cross River had every reason to celebrate 50 years of its existence as a state, considering its monumental achievements during the period.

    The governor said the pardon was in the spirit of the celebration and based on the provision of section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He said, “in the spirit of the celebration and the powers vested on me by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, I hereby grant clemency to the following category of people serving various jail terms in the state.

    “They are five people on death row; 16 prisoners serving life sentences; four prisoners who are above 60 years of age; nine convicted criminals who are terminally ill and may likely die any moment if not granted pardon.’’

    Ayade stressed the need for the people to always remember past leaders of the state who had made considerable efforts in moving the state to greater heights.

    He said that in spite of the great challenges that have bedeviled the state, there was the need for the people to have hope for a greater future.

    According to him, the state has excelled in many fields of endeavors including tourism, agriculture and forest preservation.

    He added that the annual Calabar Carnival has become the greatest street party in Africa.

    “I therefore call on you to stick together as we look forward to a greater tomorrow, ‘’ he said.

    Ayade had earlier performed the public signing into law of eight bills passed by the State House of Assembly, as part of the celebration.

    The laws include Administration of Criminal Justice in Cross River; Citizen Right, Cross River Inland Water-ways, Cross River Scrap Regulatory Agency, Cross River Lottery ; Hawkers Right; Emergency Management Agency, and House of Assembly Commission.

    The governor also used the occasion of the celebration to call on the people of the state to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammad Buhari.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Cross River was created on May 27, 1967 from the former Eastern Region as South Eastern State by the then Gen. Yakubu Gowon regime.

    The state was renamed to Cross River State in 1976 by late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

     

     

    NAN

  • Cross River Rice city will be best in Africa when operational – Ayade

    Cross River Rice city will be best in Africa when operational – Ayade

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that then when completed and in operation, the state rice city under construction will be the best seedling plant in Africa.

    Ayade stated this, Monday, while inspecting the level of work at the project site situated along Goodluck Jonathan bypass in Calabar.

    In his words: “We went around looking for the very best and we saw the very best in the world. We decided to modify it and when in full operation, you will see the sophistry and the automation which will be absolutely wonderful,” adding that, “it is obvious that this will be the most outstanding seedling plant in Africa.”

    The governor who expressed satisfaction on the progress of job done at the construction site said: “The speed of work is quite fine and I am impressed with the outcome of the design concept. That is why the team has come back from Thailand to review what we have done on ground.”

    Intimating that he feels happy when MoUs turn into action, Ayade lashed out at critics who grumble each time government goes into a pact with multi-national companies in a bid to industrialise the state.

    According to him, “an MoU does not mean that you sign it today and tomorrow the plant is running, but here is one MoU that is fully in operation. MoU is a technical agreement between parties that are willing to understudy each other and do business. That is the first step and the next is progress, due diligence of both parties and consummating it with the proper agreement.”

    Ayade also pointed out that, “Although we have missed our target day which is May 29, but surely we are on course in terms of quality standard, a lot of design review as you can see. Some areas that were completed, we have to go back to reconstruct what we had actually constructed because there were changes in design.”

    CEO Thai- African Rice, Mr. Kannadit and another team member, Mrs Pantipa D, in their various remarks, explained that there was need to put the right combinations of the equipment and machinery in order to offer the best rice seedling centre in Africa.

    Kannadit said: “We are doing a little modification as we want the best. We want to do it once and in the proper way,” adding that,”this project will generate a lot of money from seeds production while opening up a vista of opportunities in job creation and training.”

  • South-South: Ayade, Udom Call For Regional Economic Integration

    South-South: Ayade, Udom Call For Regional Economic Integration

    The Cross River and Akwa Ibom State governors have stressed the need to reconvene a forum for leaders in Nigeria’s South-South region.

    The governors said meeting would enable governors and political leaders in the region to discuss ways of fostering peace, unity and development of the Niger Delta region, which they said would have a multiplier effect on the growth of the region.

    Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, noted that some identified areas of possible discuss among the South-South states would focus on agriculture, solid minerals, oil and gas, as well as manufacturing sub-sector.

    He said this on Tuesday while briefing reporters in Calabar, after a closed door meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, and the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, who paid him a visit.

    Ayade stated that the enlarged meeting is in line with the current economic realities, as the outcome of galvanising the economic potentials in the region would be for the good of its citizens.

    “We have raised concerns about frontier explorations because very little is being done in the direction of trying to expand the oil reserves and production, in the direction of Cross River State and other parts of the Niger Delta.

    “I must say also that our discussion was on how to deepen the unity between us and how to strengthen the South-South love in relationship to the Nigerian Question, and we have also agreed that very soon we would call a meeting with the South-South leaders.

    “We must have a South-South forum where the governors of the South-South and the National Assembly members, as well as other leaders must sit and discuss the National Question,” he stressed.

    On his part, Governor Udom said rather than engaging in war, the people should unite together and tackle the threat of poverty in the region.

    “We are looking at possible economic frontiers between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States to develop the two states.

    “Rather than engage in war, we want to channel the vast energies into useful ventures to better the lots of our people, because we can’t continue to pay lip service to poverty alleviation,” he said.

    Also speaking, Senator Akpabio expressed delight at the meeting which he described as the beginning of greater unity in the South-South geo-political zone, starting with states that have common heritage.

    “Cross River has a vast land mass that if properly harnessed, is capable of employing a large army of unemployed youths and take them off the streets.

    “If we are able to engage in commercial farming, apart from employing our people, we can also become the food belt of this great nation and it will go a long way to deepen the unity of these two great states,” he noted.

    The leaders however, warned those fermenting trouble along the border lines of the two states to have a change of mind of face the wrath of the law.

  • May Day: Stop paying early salaries, it lead to debts – Workers beg Ayade

    May Day: Stop paying early salaries, it lead to debts – Workers beg Ayade

    Workers in Cross River State have beg Governor Ben Ayade to stop paying them early salaries as it make them indebted before the end of the month.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the workers got their May salary on April 30, on the eve of May Day, few days after April salary was paid, even while others in some states are being owed many months’ salaries.

    Speaking on May Day celebration on Monday, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), John Ushie, said: “We have advised the governor not to be paying salaries like this but he insisted.

    “May be it is his own way of showing that he cares for the people. He feels he should make the life of the people better and he has expressed this by paying a month salary in advance

    “We believe that salaries should be paid for work done but since he has gone ahead to pay, we can only advise workers to be prudent.

    “He did the same thing last year, but we did not expect he will do the same thing again because he just finished paying April salaries. That is the situation on ground.”

    Nigeria Union of Teachers Chairman, Eyo-Nsa Itam, said: “I think it is a tradition. We did not expect it yesterday. We expected it today. But you know because of the economic strain, there may be suffering, if people are not careful.

    “It means people would work for two months without receiving salaries, because the governor just paid salaries last week. Within one week, he has paid two months salaries. So, it is a good development, but the impact would be hectic.

    “To me, the salary should have been paid religiously as it had been paid on or before 25th of every month so that people can plan. The more money you see, the more your expenditure would be.

    “Assuming you are earning N100,000 and you are paid for two months, which is N200,000 within one week, you find out that you will finish spending that money and the next month, you will be living on debt.

    “This issue of paying two salaries, within one week is what we are talking about because it would definitely affect people.”

     

  • No ideological difference between PDP, APC – Ayade

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has said that peace within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria in general remained a prerequisite for the growth and development of the country.

    Ayade said this on Wednesday when the National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu-Sheriff paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Calabar.

    According to Ayade, there is no ideological difference between the PDP and the All Progressive Congress (APC) or belonging into one faction of the party or the other.

    “What Nigerians need now is peace and unity. There is indeed no ideological difference, whether you are in PDP, APC or you belong to one faction of the party or the other.

    “If truly you put people above your person, you must allow peace to reign by recognising the challenges of the society.

    “The challenges of the society have created in itself a structure that allows us to resolve conflicts and move ahead as a country,’’ he said.

    The governor thanked the National Chairman for embarking on the peace mission across the country, adding that it was important to unite all factions into one umbrella.

    Earlier, Modu-Sheriff said that he was in the state to visit the governor with a view of uniting all factions and moving the party ahead.

    According to him, he has paid similar visit to Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states with the sole purpose of uniting all factions of the party.

    “As a great party, we need to work in unity and peace so that we can win the 2019 general elections.’’

    He commended Ayade for his infrastructure development in the state, adding that he was the party’s best performing governor.

    “If I am asked who the best performing governor of the party is, I will simply say that it is Gov. Ayade.

    “I am very proud that Ayade is not only a digital governor, but also the number one governor in terms of performance.

    “With what you are doing now, 2019 will be an easy ride for you. There will be no challenge and no vacancy in Cross River.’’

    He also lauded the governor for appointing a Northerner, Mr Musa Maigoro, as his Special Adviser on Non-Indigene Affairs.

    Modu-Sheriff later visited the state PDP secretariat where he urged the leadership to unite all factions in the state with a view of building the party to greater heights.

     

     

    NAN

  • Armed robbery/kidnapping: Ayade promises N1m reward for whistleblowers

    In an attempt to end incessant cases of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state, Governor Ben Ayade of Rivers State has announced a whistle blowing law that guarantees the reward of N1 million for anyone who offers information that can lead to the arrest of armed robbers and kidnappers in the state.

    Governor Ayade frowned at a situation where people arrested on issues relating to armed robbery or kidnapping still find their way back to streets without prosecution.

    According to him, the Executive Order, which he tagged “Hafiz Law,” was resolute to check the spate of crimes in the state.

    The governor made this known on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers in Calabar, during a courtesy call on him by the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP to the state, Hafiz Inuwa.

    In Ayade’s words: “Anybody who whistle blows on an armed robber or a kidnapper and by intelligence or investigation that armed robber or kidnapper is found to be true, that person is entitled to N1 million.

    “From today, there is a whistle blowing law in Cross River State that guarantees you N1 million when you discover an armed robber, somebody who is in illegal possession of firearms, or somebody you know is a kidnapper or harbouring a kidnapped victim or offer any information leading to the arrest of an armed robber or kidnapper.

    “We will give you the financial support to continue to feed them until the law takes its full course.

    “Anybody caught in the act or there is sufficient evidence that corroborates that action, he is involved in any armed robbery and kidnapping, it is our responsibility as public servants who are in charge of the security of this state to ensure that such dangerous people do not get back to the society, unless the law finds them innocent,” the Governor stated.

    In his remark, the CP said in ensuring that the state remains peaceful, he was ready to work thse who are willing to assist the Police.

  • [Trending] Watch Governor Ayade’s stunning dance steps at Carnival Calabar

  • BREAKING: Ayade wins at Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court has affirmed Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the duly elected governor of Cross River State.

    Recall that a governorship aspirant who came second in the party’s primary election in December 2014, Joe Agi, had approached the apex court seeking Ayade’s sack over false declaration of age.

    However, the apex court on Friday dismissed Agi’s claim over his inability to prove his allegation.

    Details Later…

     

  • 21 megawatts Calabar power plant to be delivered February – Ayade

    21 megawatts Calabar power plant to be delivered February – Ayade

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State has reiterated his commitment to the fulfillment of uninterrupted power supply in Calabar metropolis by ensuring the delivery of the 21 megawatts Calabar power plant in February 2017.

    The power project is one of the fruits of the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with foreign investors during his several investment trips round the world.

    Speaking during his routine inspection of ongoing construction work at the site along the Parliamentary Extension, Calabar, on Wednesday, Ayade said the power plant is a new technology which is cost effective.

    Excited about the level of work so far done, Ayade said: “As you can see, there is massive construction work going on here at the site, we are putting the structural base for the installation of the 21 megawatt power turbines that have already been delivered on site.”

    He further disclosed that: “We have set February 17, 2017 deadline to deliver uninterrupted 24/7 power supply to Calabar metropolis. With this singular effort, Calabar will be the first capital city to have uninterrupted power supply in the country.

    The good thing is that this is the product and manifestation of the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) I had signed early last year and today, we are at the construction stage to deliver on this all important project.

    As you can see, there is so much energy as, several young men are already engaged and we are making plans to engage some of them permanently as maintenance staff after the construction,” Ayade noted.

    On the status of the power plant, the governor explained that the project was a Public Private Partnership (PPP), adding that the state was working in partnership with a Brazilian/American firm which is also collaborating with the Cross River State Power Company to establish and deliver on this world class independent embedded power plant here in Calabar.

    “It is to ensure that no contractor is paid until he meets the mile stones set. So, if you bring me an IPC, I must check to ensure that you have delivered as declared by the agencies concerned before you receive your payment.

    Secondly, I am driven by the passion and determination, which is why I am always on site instead sitting in the office. This is rather very alien to me and that is why I am on site daily to ensure that we catch the pace because money is scarce, every little kobo will be accounted for,” Ayade explained.

    According to Ayade, “my excitement is that work is also done according to specification and approved designs.”

    On the plan to ensure steady power supply in Calabar during the carnival festival, Ayade assured residents that the state had concluded arrangement with Lilleker and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the yuletide.

    “In line with this effort, the state has provided 88 new transformers across the city centre for improved power supply to ensure that all parts of Calabar are lit this December.”

    While assuring Nigerian of a hitch-free carnival, Ayade said: “Let me use this opportunity to invite every Nigerian to stop searching for scarce dollars for overseas trips and come to Calabar for the festival and Carnival. We have everything you are looking for, hospitality, love, good treatment, everything you can think of is here in Calabar.”