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Tag: Ben Ayade

  • Ayade charges security operatives to halt violence in Calabar

    Ayade charges security operatives to halt violence in Calabar

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has charged security agencies in the state to take legitimate actions to halt the spate of arson and carnage witnessed in some parts of Calabar.

    The Governor’s charge is contained in a release issued on Sunday in Calabar by Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor

    The Governor also wants the security agents to carry out a house- -to-house search, for looted property, and arrest anyone involved in the looting of both public and private property in the state.

    The Governor who said he understood the pain of the people, noted that there was need to protect the collective commonwealth of the people, which was currently under threat by some persons who are desperately trying to discredit the peaceful disposition of the citizens of Cross River.

    Ayade urged the security agencies to take legitimate actions to ensure that calm returned to the state, especially as the government was already working towards ensuring the demands of those who genuinely participated in the #EndSARS march are met.

    The Governor also called on the citizens to rise up and defend their land from criminal elements bent on destroying the image of the state.

  • CAN lauds Ayade for running welfarist government

    CAN lauds Ayade for running welfarist government

    The Cross River State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has commended Governor Ben Ayade for what it described as his welfarist and inclusive governance.

    Making the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor at the executive council chamber of the governor’s office, Calabar, leader of the delegation and Chairman of CAN, Ambassador Okon E. Ekpenyong noted that Ayade’s reelection for a second term in office was a howling endorsement of his industrialization policy.

    He lauded the governor for his development strides in the last five years and his continuous support for CAN.

    Ekpenyong said CAN was grateful for the governor’s “commitment and continuous support to CAN. Let me also say that your election was an endorsement of your industrialization drive, welfarist and inclusive governance approach.”

    According to the chaiman of the Christian body, “For us, this meeting is apt and timely because it affords us the opportunity to say thank you and to honestly commend you for the giant strides and development of the State. Your passionate resolve to put Cross River on the map of Nigeria as a leading state in both infrastructure and human development, especially from our tour of the Ayade Industrial Park is worthy of note.”

    Ekpenyong, who was accompanied by the retired bishop of Calabar Metropolitan Arch-Diocese, His Grace, Bishop Joseph Ukpo, Senior Special Adviser to Governor Ayade on Religious Matters, Rev. Fr.Bob Etta as well as other CAN members, thanked the governor for his proactive safety measures in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    His words: “The leadership of CAN is indeed very grateful for your profound efforts and proactive safety measures in the management of the COVID 19. We are particularly very grateful for the partnership and synergy that your administration created which enabled CAN to be part of the COVID-19 sensitization and monitoring task force team.

    He also acknowledged the role played by the governor in the Christian body’s quest for a secretariat.

    Ekpenyong said it was through the magnanimity of the governor “that CAN, Cross River State has been able to own a temporary secretariat after many years which was commissioned by you on 27 may, 2019. And during the commissioning, you donated a 50kva generating set. We sincerely commend you for that show of concern and support.”

    The association, therefore, reaffirmed its continuous support and prayers for Governor Ayade as he strives to deliver more developmental projects for the people.

    Responding, Ayade who thanked the delegation of the Christian association for their support during his second term electioneering, said: “I would like to thank you for the great support, the way and manner you came out to support me and campaign for me. I want to specially acknowledge your address which emphasised on the most essential essence of government and describing my government as welfarist government.”

    Disclosing why his administration is more focused on the people while at the same time prioritising industrialization, the governor said: “A government can build more infrastructure, skyscrapers, award contracts to multinationals who will take billions back to their countries and leave behind a very beautiful city with the best of roads while the people are poor and hungry. When the emphasis is not on the people, you would have failed in your constitutional, spiritual and moral obligation as governor.

    “So it is against that understanding and background that our administration is more focused on the people and because I come from a background that has a clear understanding of poverty, because I have also seen wealth at a very early age, I know the difference.”

    Against that backdrop, the governor noted that “In my gratitude to God, my commitment has been to lift people from extreme want, hunger and poverty and ensure that if nothing else under the regime of Ayade, kindred and family should have someone in government.”

  • Civil servants in C/River protest removal of names from payroll

    Civil servants in C/River protest removal of names from payroll

    Some civil servants whose names were removed from the payroll of the Cross River Government on Monday in Calabar picketed the state secretariat complex, demanding reinstatement.

    The protesters carried placards with various inscription such as “Ayade pay us our salaries, “No Trade Union in Cross River”, “We will protest until we are reinstated”, among others.
    It would be recalled that the state government in August 2019 removed the names of no fewer than 2,500 civil servants from its payroll.
    One of the protesting civil servants, Mr James Obeten, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the situation had caused untold hardships in his families.
    “We were duly employed in 2015, and were given employment letters, it is very shocking that the government stopped our salaries since August 2019.
    “Without any reason, our names were dropped from the payroll, they claim that we were employed through the backdoor,” he said.
    He said that the affected workers had undergone several screenings to ascertain the legality of their employments, saying, “our names have not being reinstated till today”
    Obeten urged the state government to consider the plight of the affected workers whose families had been subjected to hunger and difficulty since 2019.
    “Many of us are now homeless, our children are already out of school, life is getting worse by the day,” he said.
    Also speaking to NAN, another protester, Miss Eno Akan, accused the Nigeria Labour Congress of abandoning them in the struggle.
    She expressed the resolve of the affected workers to remain resolute in the struggle until their salaries were paid.
    When contacted, Mr Monday Ogbodum, the Cross River State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, said the matter had been discussed with the state government, and that it would soon be resolved.
    “We have been discussing with the government through the office of the Head of Service, those who were genuinely employed in 2015 will soon be reinstated.
    “We did not abandon the struggle, we are doing our best to resolve the matter, there are plans to carry out screening to know those who were genuinely employed,” he said.
    Reacting to the protest, Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity said that plans were already concluded to conduct a screening exercise in order to determine people who were genuinely employed.
    “I think that this protest is unnecessary, after the screening, those who were erroneously removed from the payroll will be reinstated.
    “ The government reached an agreement in March with the organised labour to resolve this abnormalities. This process was delayed by the outbreak of the Coronavirus,” he said.
    He urged the protesters to remain calm as the state government was working with the organised labour to begin the process of reinstating them.
  • Obudu Airport project gets backing from host communities as Ayade promises early completion

    Obudu Airport project gets backing from host communities as Ayade promises early completion

    Construction of the Obudu International Airport in Cross River state has received further impetus as the five host communities where the project is sited have declared their absolute support for the project.

    This is even as Governor Ben Ayade disclosed that the Airport, when completed, will boost the state’s economy through export of ornamental flowers and other resources found in abundance in Northern Cross River.

    The communities; Atiekpe, Ikwuomkwu, Igwo, Okamibi and Abonkib made the declaration Monday in their separate presentations during an interactive session with the governor at the project site.

    The five communities disclosed that in view of the enormous economic spinoffs that will be derived from the construction of the airport, they freely donated their land to the state government.

    Most of the youths that turned out for the meeting displayed several placards with messages of support for the governor and the projects.

    “We are extremely proud that Igwo is one of the communities that donated land for this project. We are happy that in our life time, Igwo will be hosting an airport. This airport will bring jobs and development to our people. We are grateful to His Excellency,” a representative of the Igwo community said in his presentation.

    On his part, the Councilor for Obudu Urban Ward 2, Honorable Emmanuel Akomaye stated that contrary to insinuations, the land was not acquired by government, but was freely given.

    “Nobody forced us to give up our land. Our land was not acquired by government for this airport project, it was freely given,” Akomaye said.

    On his part, the Clan Head of Abonkib in Obudu Urban 1, His Royal Highness, Augustine Ikashi, said the people were fully behind airport project.

    The royal father said the project when completed will bring development to the area.

    “It is not because the governor is our own son, but because we need development, because we love progress, therefore, we are fully behind the airport project. We believe it will bring development to the entire community.

    “I think the project is the only good thing that has happened to Obudu and Cross River State. So if we have this International airport, Obudu is going to be on the world’s map.”

    Responding Governor Ayade disclosed that the state government has so far paid N500 million as compensation to the communities that donated their land for the project.

    He expressed optimism that in no distant future, the airport will be completed and operational as the federal government has already given the necessary approvals.

    His words: “We are right here at the site of an international cargo airport in Obudu, Cross River State. The intention of this airport is to provide cargo support services and export of ornamental and special flowers from the Obudu Cattle Ranch. As you are well aware, a country like Kenya does average of 39 million Euros annually exporting flower from an altitude even less than that of Obudu cattle ranch.

    “So for Cross River State, we need to have an airport here to be able to assist us take advantage of the Obudu cattle ranch. More so Obudu Cattle Ranch is a beautiful place of nature which has been heavily under utilised because of access. So we are building an airport that can allow us benefit from the full potentials of the ranch.”

    Continuing, Ayade stated that the airport will also help create access to the rich agricultural potentials of Northern Cross River to the world.

    “We have very very essential elements to find which is the agricultural heritage of Cross River State and with all the precious stones available to us, the cargo airport will be very critical”

    On the land donated by the Obudu communities for the project, the governor said: “N500 million has been paid and the work is going on. And as you can see the communities are celebrating, they are excited that I have come here in person to speak to them and hear their concerns with a view to addressing them.

    “Every single contributing village here today is excited about the potential of this airport. And we have also received the approval from the Federal Ministry of Aviation already. We have all the necessary approvals and construction work is on going. We are working very hard to see that this airport is ready by the close of this year.”

    Earlier, the Cross River state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr Jacob Otu Enyia disclosed that the airport runway will be the longest in the country at 5.6km.

    “We have also been able to remove the top soil and the next phase will see us go into filling to attain the required level as requested by the consultant,” the Commissioner quipped.

  • Bakassi refugees narrate nasty ordeal, commend Gov Ayade for respite

    Bakassi refugees narrate nasty ordeal, commend Gov Ayade for respite

    The displaced persons of Bakassi in Cross River state have commended Governor Ben Ayade for keeping his promise and coming to their aid by providing a befitting accomodation for them and their families.

    The IDPs who lost their ancestral homes and land 18 years ago following the ceding of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon in compliance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice in the Hague were recently resettled in 52 units of two- bedroom flats built and furnished by governor Ayade.

    Speaking during the celebration of world refugee Day at the newly built Bakassi IDP estate, the camp leader of the Bakassi refugees, Chief Etim Ene Okon lamented the neglect the IDPs had suffered through the years before Ayade came to their rescue.

    “For several years we have been living in very inhuman conditions and our Governor has indeed come to our rescue and he has restored back our dignity, he has restored back our name. We are very proud and we are so grateful for the opportunity to live a good life in good condition with our families. ”

    Continuing he said, ” before now we have been sleeping in the primary schools, sleeping in churches, turned to beggars in our own land, our livelihood totally lost but our Governor came to see us and made a promise and today he has kept that promise giving us a befitting accomodation, we are very happy about that”.

    While thanking Governor Ayade for being their only saviour in recent times, Chief Ene appealed to the federal government to complement the efforts of the state government by providing for the IDPs adding that they are still Nigerians no matter the situation they have found themselves.

    “We plead with our dear president not to allow this burden on the state government alone, our Governor has done his best for us by providing this housing units with the lean resources at his disposal with a promise to do even more to help kickstart our livelihood, but we still have a lot of challenges and we call on President Buhari to come and assist us. ”

    On his part, the secretary of the Bakassi IDPs, Mr Okon Etim Effiom, debunked the rumour that the houses have not been allocated to them and advised Cross Riverians not to listen to those who he said have chosen to play politics with the good intentions of Governor Ayade.

    “We are delighted beyond measure to have been alive to see this dream come true. For us as IDPs we cannot thank our Governor enough for standing by us and keeping his promise of resettling us with a befitting accomodation. As you can see for yourself we have moved in here over a week now with our families and we are very happy. So for those who are carrying rumours that we are not the real beneficiaries of this housing scheme my advise to them is to desist from playing politics with the good works of our Governor”, Etim Effiong said.

    He called on the federal government to step in and support the efforts of the state government towards the Bakassi IDP especially in the area of economic resettlement.

  • Igbo community in C’River commends Ayade, raises security advisory committee

    Igbo community resident in Cross River, has commended Gov. Ben Ayade for his fight against insecurity in the state, announcing setting up of an advisory committee to compliment his effort.

    The commendation is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ugoji Nwabueze, leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.

    Nwabueze issued the statement after a caucus security meeting he summoned to review constant kidnappings in the state.

    He remarked that Igbos, resident in the Cross River acknowledged that insecurity, which was growing globally, was no longer the exclusive responsibility of the state but all.

    Nwabueze, a Lawyer, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes Affairs (Igbo) observed that the current measures put in place by the government in fighting insecurity in the state have proven to be efficient in tackling security challenges.

    “The Igbos commend the governor for rising to the challenge of insecurity in the state through the demolition of property acquired by kidnappers, through ill-gotten ransom.

    “Also, the declaration of 35 cultists on the wanted list, whose activities greatly affected the economy and nightlife of the state, thereby, reducing its tourism potentials.

    “Consequently, the Igbo community in Cross River has set up a security advisory committee for information gathering, sensitisation and close networking with security agencies in the state.

    “The Igbos are saying, constant kidnapping of people and high insecurity caused by senseless cult wars in the state have greatly affected the business fortunes of the state,’’ Nwabueze said.

    He gave an instance of one Chief Jude Odinka, a 70-year-old businessman with health complications kidnapped, over a month ago and is yet to be released, as well as several others who have died in the process, after ransom, as too many atrocities that cannot be tolerated any longer.

    The Igbo leader appealed to the governor, not to be intimidated by pressures or blackmail from people, who wanted to use insecurity in the state to rubbish his programmes.

    “The meeting rose with the resolution that any Igbo son caught in acts that constituted insecurity to the government of the state would be allowed to face the consequences,’’ he said.

    The State government recently engaged in massive demolition of property belonging to suspected kidnappers and cult leaders at large in Calabar South Local Government Area of the State.

  • Ayade swears-in council chairmen with N11.38 billion take off fund

    Cross River state governor, Sir Ben Ayade Tuesday swore-in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state.

    The event took place at the State Executive Chamber of the Governor’s office, Calabar.

    The new chairmen and their vice emerged victorious in last Saturday’s council polls.

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP cleared the entire 18 councils areas and also produced all the councillors.

    Speaking after swearing them in, Ayade urged the council Chairmen to avoid unnecessary trips outside their councils, harping on the need for them to stay back home and work for their people.

    The governor disclosed that he was leaving behind for the newly elected chairmen, N11.386 billion as take off fund, adding that they had no reason not to perform.

    “Remember I am giving you councils that are not owing salaries, not owing pension. So I don’t want to hear tomorrow that your are owing.

    “We are happy to announce to you that you are coming into office while the governor leaves behind N11.386 billion in your coffers.

    “Today marks a great opportunity for the people at the grassroots who have never had direct access to government, to feel the impact of government,” the governor told the new chairmen.

    He further implored them not to engage in grandiose projects but concentrate on simple projects that directly impact on the lives of the people.

    His words: “You are serving the grassroots, I do not want you therefore, to embark on big projects. I need you to deal with those projects that directly impact on the lives of the people. I need you to deal with boreholes, I need you to deal with culverts, minor bridges that link communities.”

    The governor advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councillors so as to effectively serve the people.

    “I urge you to work in harmony with your councillors. There must not be a divided house. Therefore, work harmoniously with the councillors so that together you will serve the people effectively”, the governor said.

    He also urged them to reside in their respective local government areas so as to be abreast of the needs of their people.

  • COVID-19: NCDC says Cross River deserves to be Coronavirus free

    COVID-19: NCDC says Cross River deserves to be Coronavirus free

    The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has described Cross River State as deserving of its Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) free status.

    NCDC stated this on Monday during a verification visit to the state.

    The leader of the NCDC team, Dr Omobolanle Olowu, lauded the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade for his strong leadership in the battle against the pandemic, successfully keeping it away from the state.

    “The Federal Government strongly Commends the Action Governor of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and his energetic team who started response in January when others still lived in denial. They (Cross River) deserve to still be without a case of COVID-19.

    “The governor was proactive in shutting down borders, screening visitors and suspected cases and initiating the no mask no movement campaign in Nigeria,” she said.

    She also expressed delight at the level of compliance with the no mask no movement policy of the government.

    Expressing disbelief, she said: “I cannot believe I did not see one person without a face mask from the airport to this office. I guess this explains the results in Cross River State. I commend the state for the great work done. We never knew all these in Abuja. We will tell Mr President all what we have seen.

    “From all I have seen, this is a great response in Nigeria. Cross River has honestly done well. There is a lot to learn from Cross River as best practice for Nigeria. Nigeria should give Cross River State accolades for producing face masks, Face Shield, PPEs in its Garment Factory.”

    She said the NCDC was also satisfied with the contact tracing, Surveillance and testing done so far by the state even as she encouraged the state to do more in that regard.

    “We are happy that the state has a great working relationship with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. This is Commendable.

    “Governor Ben Ayade woke up even before the rest of the country. He shut his borders and has been working from the front line. Your Governor is a man with foresight who believes in his people and wants to save his people.”

    Highlight of the teams visit included the official opening of the 100-bed isolation center in Adiabo.

  • Lockdown: Gov. Ayade sees catastrophe, wants ban on domestic flights lifted

    Lockdown: Gov. Ayade sees catastrophe, wants ban on domestic flights lifted

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to lift the ban on domestic flights as Nigerians grappled with the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

    Ayade made the appeal on Sunday while inspecting ongoing asphalting of the dualised Odukpani-Calabar highway in the state.

    He said the continued closure of Nigeria’s domestic airspace was impacting negatively on the aviation, hospitality and tourism sectors of the economy.

    He, however, warned that the adverse effects of another four weeks closure of the airspace could be catastrophic.

    “The suspension of domestic flights has affected most hotels leading to their closure.

    “It is so bad that most hotels including the 5-star hotels are shutting down because they cannot even sustain the cost of diesel for their generating sets and as that happens, they start laying off workers.

    “So you have a lot of workers, young people who used to work in the hotels and tourism industry out of jobs. And the big question is, how long can this continue?

    He said the closure of the country’s domestic airspace was also having negative spiral effect on small businesses and service providers, thus further worsening the economic situation of that category of Nigerians.

    “The caterers who supply food to the hotels are all out of business. All the suppliers are out of business.

    “So, as we continue to lock the domestic airports for another four weeks, what we are going to have in terms of economic loss, and in terms of social delinquency, the associated moral and social tension that will come with it will be just too huge for the country to bear,” he noted.

    Ayade said rather than ban domestic flights, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC ) should devise strict guidelines to enable the airlines sector to continue to operate without escalating the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

    “We can still be safe while allowing the internals of Nigeria to run. We can do so by allowing the domestic airlines to start flying.

    “As they fly, NCDC should spell out certain conditions like making sure aircrafts are properly disinfected, ensuring temperature tests are carried out before passengers get on board and of course, ensuring that all passengers wear proper masks.

    “The airlines can have their own masks that they can give to passengers,” he said.

  • Cross River: Gov. Ayade directs civil servants to resume work

    Cross River: Gov. Ayade directs civil servants to resume work

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Sunday began the relaxation of some of the restrictions he put in place in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak by directing all categories of civil servants to return to work on Monday, May 4.

    The governor, who some two weeks ago recalled civil servants from grade level 10 and above back to work, has now directed all civil servants to return to work on Monday.

    In a statement issued in Calabar by Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ayade reminded the returning civil servants that the “no mask, no movement” order was still in full force and must be observed by them.

    “Consequently, all the returning civil servants are therefore, to wear nose mask as they resume in their various offices,” the governor said.

    He said other restrictions, such as border closures and ban on large gatherings, be it social or religious, remain in place.

    Ayade said that the measures would be reviewed as days go by.