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Tag: Cross River State

  • BREAKING: Impeached Cross River Speaker reinstated

    BREAKING: Impeached Cross River Speaker reinstated

    The Cross River State House of Assembly has reinstated its Speaker, Mr Elvert Anyambem, who was recently impeached on grounds of high-handedness and financial impropriety.

    During the Assembly’s sitting on Tuesday, Cyril Omini, representing Yakurr I constituency, moved a motion passing a vote of confidence on the Speaker, which was supported by Kingsley Ntui, representing Etung constituency.

    Recall that 17 out of the 25 members of the assembly signed the notice to impeach the speaker.

    The members alleged that the speaker indulged in arbitrary expenditures in contravention of Section 9(1) of the state’s Legislative Funds Management Law, 2021.

    Gov. Bassey Otu, on Monday, announced that he has brokered peace in the state assembly.

    Otu, who made the announcement in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nsa Gil, said that normalcy had returned in the house.

    “I had a closed-door meeting with all the twenty-five members of the assembly on Sunday night.

    ”They all unambiguously agreed to restore normalcy and maintain the status quo with Elvert Ayambem remaining as their speaker, the statement read in parts.

    Also, in a statement in Calabar on Monday, Ayambem, had commended Otu for wading into the recent crisis in the assembly.

    In the statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Mathew Okache, the speaker commended Otu for showing extraordinary leadership prowess in the face of the challenge

    “I pledge my cooperation and commitment towards the growth and progress of both the assembly and the state as a whole,” the statement read.

  • Why Cross River Assembly Speaker was impeached

    Why Cross River Assembly Speaker was impeached

    The Cross River House of Assembly, on Wednesday, impeached the Speaker, Mr Elvert Anyambem, over issues of gross misconduct and high-handedness.

    The speaker’s impeachment was carried out during a sitting of the house in which he was presiding.

    The impeachment followed a motion moved by the member representing Calabar South 1, Mr Effiong Ekarika, which was seconded by Mr Charles Omang, representing Bekwara constituency.

    The motion was thereafter unanimously supported by other members of the house present at the sitting.

    Moving his motion, Ekarika stated that Anyambem had grossly indulged in administrative misconduct, high-handedness and financial misappropriation.

    Seventeen out of 25 members of the assembly signed the notice for the speaker’s impeachment.

    In the notice, Anyambem was said to have indulged in arbitrary expenditure, contrary to Section 9(1) of the state Legislative Funds Management Law, 2021

    The notice stated that he misappropriated the sum of N48 million meant for the payment of the assembly’s electricity bills.

    He was also accused of misappropriating N404.6m representing two per cent of the monthly revenue collected by the state Internal Revenue Service, and meant for oversight functions of the assembly.

    “The speaker misappropriated the sum of N19.4m being deductions from the local government councils which he willfully failed to disclose to members,” the notice read in parts.

    After the impeachment, the mace was taken away by the members.

    Attempts to speak to the impeached speaker proved abortive as he did not take calls or respond to text messages.

  • Cross River former Speaker quits PDP

    Cross River former Speaker quits PDP

    Mr John Lebo, a former Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Lebo, who was the Speaker of the 8th assembly, disclosed his resignation in a statement signed by him which was made available to newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

    In the statement dated May 10, and addressed to the PDP Chairman,  Adadama Ward, Abi Local Government Area, Lebo did not offer any explanation for his resignation.

    The former Speaker did not also mention his next political move after leaving the PDP.

    ”I wish to communicate my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party at all levels.

    ”I appreciate the opportunity and platform offered to me by the party in the last few years. I wish you the best,” the statement read in parts.

  • Cross River rejects NBS ranking on child labour

    Cross River rejects NBS ranking on child labour

    Cross River on Saturday dismissed as untrue a survey report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that it had the highest incidence of child labour in the country.

    The NBS had stated in the report that of the 24.6 million children in child labour in Nigeria, Cross River recorded the highest incidence of 67.4 per cent, followed by Yobe with 62.6 per cent.

    In the survey entitled: “Nigeria Child Labour Survey 2022’’, the NBS rated Lagos State has having the lowest incidence of 8.9 per cent.

    The NBS described child labour as any work that robbed children less than 18 years of age of their childhood, potential, and dignity or had deleterious impact on their physical and mental development.

    It stated that its survey showed that children between the ages of five years and 17 years were engaged in economic activities that amounted to child labour in Nigeria.

    Dismissing the report, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang disclosed in Calabar that the figures released did not represent the true position in Cross River.

    He said the figure for Cross River was not tenable since government had put measures in place since assumption of office in May 2023 to discourage child labour and to uplift vulnerable segments of the population.

    He explained that the measures put in place centred on health, education, agriculture and other empowerment initiatives.

    Ekpang stressed that government had also put in place programmes that empowered women economically and discouraged them from sending their children and wards out as child labourers.

    “Women are empowered to take care of themselves and their families. Youths are also not left out of these policies and programmes.

    “The initiatives are mostly in the areas of agriculture and small-scale enterprises.

    “We also initiated programmes like school feeding to retain every child in school,’’ he stated.

    Ekpang advised the NBS to revisit its 2022 figures and make amends.

    The NBS report also stated that more than 14 million of affected children were engaged in hazardous work.

    The survey also showed that child labour was considerably higher in the rural areas, with 17.5 million or 44.8 per cent of children involved.

    In the urban areas, however, only 7.1 million children, or 30 per cent were involved in child labour.

    Hazardous work is also more frequent in the rural areas according to the NBS.

    “More than 10.5 million children or 26.8 per cent of those of them in the rural areas are in hazardous work.

    “In urban areas, only about four million children or 16.3 per cent are in hazardous work,’’ it stated.

    The report also indicated that the Northwest geopolitical zone had the highest of 6,407,102 children engaged in labour, followed by the Northeast with 4,466,808; North Central (3,884,576); South-South (3,682,773); Southwest (3,227,559) and Southeast (3,004,669).

  • Fire razes 200 shops in Cross River

    Fire razes 200 shops in Cross River

    No fewer than 200 shops were on Monday night razed by fire at Ikom main market in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River.

    Mr Chika Anya, Chairman of the Lagos line of the market, said the intensity of the inferno was such that nothing could be savaged from the affected shops.

    According to him, the fire incident has been a reoccurring issue almost every year in the market.

    He alleged that as with previous cases, the state fire service was unable to provide much support.

    “All we want now is support from the government to enable us get our lives back.

    “Government should also do the needful by having a functional fire service in Ikom and other council areas of the state,” Anya said.

    One of the affected shop owners, Augustine Eze, said it was difficult to ascertain the cause of the fire as there was no electricity “and nobody is allowed to pass the night in the market.”

    Eze said they got little support from the state fire service during the incident.

    “This is not the first time we are having fire issue in the market and there is always no assistance to quench the fire since the state fire service lacks the equipment to fight one here,” Eze claimed.

    Meanwhile, Mr Peter Okorebi, the state Director of Fire Service, said they would investigate the cause of the fire and take preventive measures.

    Okorebi, however, said that the shop owners have for long formed the habit of cooking in the shops inspite of repeated warnings against such by the fire service.

    According to him, the traders have refused to heed to safety precautions.

    “Our safety officers have repeatedly advised them against this trend but they simply won’t listen,” he added.

    The director debunked the claims that the fire service lacked the necessary facilities to contain fire outbreaks in the area.

  • Otu inherited empty treasury, decayed infrastructure in Cross River – Commissioner

    Otu inherited empty treasury, decayed infrastructure in Cross River – Commissioner

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Cross River, Mr Ankpo Edet, says that in spite of meeting decayed infrastructure and empty treasury, the present administration has achieved a lot in its urban renewal pursuit.

    The commissioner, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, said several road projects were currently ongoing across the state, particularly in Calabar metropolis and environs.

    He said that aside from road rehabilitation, some new ones had been constructed while several others signature road projects would soon be flagged off for construction.

    “The level of infrastructure decay we met on ground was such that I was confused as a commissioner when I went round Calabar upon resumption.

    “I am happy to announce that we have done a lot in rehabilitating most of these roads in spite of the Sen. Bassey Otu-led administration meeting empty treasury.

    “Just like we had in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, so were there several unmotorable roads in Cross River North and Cross River Central,” he said.

    Pius, however, said that since government was a continuum, the present administration would not abandon any of the road projects inherited from previous administrations.

    “These projects are being carried out with tax payers’ money and so, we will work on them and also not abandon any of those we are working on now.

    “You will see the serious work on the parliamentary extension road. We are using this road to be our super highway since the one embarked upon by the immediate past administration didn’t see the light of the day,” he stated.

    The commissioner further said that government had adopted the use of concrete pavement in road construction in the state.

    He, however, said that the road projects were mostly being handled by local contractors, for economic purposes.

    “We don’t like capital flight and these local contractors are doing tremendous job on these projects,” he said.

    Speaking on the ongoing Obudu airport project, the commissioner said it would be concluded by May.

  • PDP to offer credible opposition in Cross River

    PDP to offer credible opposition in Cross River

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is ready to offer credible opposition in Cross River, having lost the state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general election.

    Mr Venatius Ikem, the state PDP chairman, said this in a statement in Calabar on Thursday.

    Ikem said that the decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting of the party convened by the state 2023 PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor.

    He urged members of the party to remain faithful, saying consultation was ongoing on how to reposition the party in the state.

    He appealed to members not to be forced by the economic situation in the country to align themselves to a party whose ideology was in contradiction to their values and beliefs.

    Ikem assured that the PDP would be better prepared for future elections, saying that the party remained indivisible in the state.

    “We shall continue to interact with stakeholders with a view to repositioning the party as a viable opposition in the state. There is nothing wrong in the party.

    “However, I wish to state that the party leadership is still in the process of consulting for an appropriate date to hold a caucus meeting of PDP after which other meetings will follow as the case should be.

    “Indeed, we understand the situation and the low spirit after losing the 2023 election to All Progressives Congress (APC) amid high hopes. Let us not despair, but keep hope alive that we shall still conquer.

    “All we need in this nick of time is perseverance, commitment, patience, and accepting the truth that we are now in full opposition and deal with it by being resolute in repositioning the party ahead of local government and subsequent elections,’’ he said.

  • APC, PDP share spoils in Cross River rerun election

    APC, PDP share spoils in Cross River rerun election

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shared the spoils in the court-ordered rerun election in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Cross River.

    Declaring the results in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 4, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) noted that in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency rerun election, APC’s Emil Inyang secured the highest number of votes.

    Inyang got 15,930 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Mr Austin Aidam, of the PDP who secured 12,417 votes.

    In the Obanliku State Constituency rerun election, PDP’s Ashakia Ashas scored 10,587 votes while his closest rival, APC’s Achunekang Sunday, scored 10,427 votes.

    Similarly, in the Yala Two State Constituency rerun election, Mr Achadu Martins of the PDP, who scored 9,168 votes, defeated his closest contestant, Mrs Nkasi Ekwok of the APC, who secured 8,647 votes.

  • Cross River govt admits ceding property to private individual in error

    Cross River govt admits ceding property to private individual in error

    The Cross River Government says it has withdrawn the disputed 32 hectares of cocoa plots, earlier ceded to one Ogar Assam’s family at Abonita Cocoa Estate in Etung Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The withdrawal is contained in a letter, dated January 17, 2024, by the Director,  Agric Services, Mr Ogar Etta, and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

    The letter, titled, “Re: Release of Block 7A77, 7B77, 7C77, 8B77, 8C77 Cocoa Farms At Abonita Cocoa Estate to Chief Ogar Assam’s Family”, noted that the said plots were ceded in error and are hereby withdrawn.

    The letter stated that it was misguided and misinformed about the disputed  cocoa plots ceded to the Assam family through a letter dated December 5, 2023.

    It further said that facts have now  emerged that the 32 hectares of cocoa plots belonged to the state government.

    “The decision is consequent upon the misguided facts during information gathering in some of the documents provided by Mac Prince Mbu Leku.

    “The desire to withdraw the ceded blocks also followed the presentation of facts by landlords in the communities in a meeting scheduled on December 12, 2023, with the intention of the Attorney General of Cross River State to amicably resolve the impasse in suit NO.HE/18/2022.

    “Further clarification also came from the director of forestry in his letter with Ref No.CRSFC/S4/V3/315.

    “To this end, block 7A77, 7B77, 7C77, 8B77, 8C77, totalling 32 hectares of land, are still vested in the government of Cross River State as they were ceded in error to Ogar Assam’s family.

    “Similarly, the Commissioner for Lands, in a letter with Ref No. MLH/ADS/670/Vol.I/18, said that records from the ministry does not in any way show that the Cross River State government acquired land from any family to establish Abonita Cocoa Estate,” the withdrawal letter maintained.

  • Carnival Calabar set Cross River State agog

    Carnival Calabar set Cross River State agog

    Calabar on Thursday stood still as the parade of the bands took centre stage in the ongoing cultural festival christened “Carnival Calabar”.

    The parade, which saw the various bands in their colourful costumes dance through the 12 kilometres carnival route, also saw a large number of residents, tourists and fun seekers cheering them.

    Declaring the parade open, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River said they were bringing back the carnival in a bigger platform where it could truly be referred to as an international brand.

    He added that the essence was to ensure that Cross River was really the choice tourism destination in Nigeria.

    Some of the tourists from Lagos, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), said that the Calabar carnival was truly the biggest street party in Nigeria.

    Mr Adebayo Adeyanju, a medical practitioner, who was attending the carnival for the second time with his wife and two kids, said it was really a spectacle to behold, adding that his kids were happy.

    He, however, appealed to the government of Cross River to develop other tourism potentials of the state so that tourism would be an all-year-round activity not just in December – during the carnival.

    “We have Obudu Cattle Ranch that is no longer functional; we have the Agbokim Waterfall and even Tinappa. All these great tourist sites were pushed down due to poor management,” he fumed.

    Miss Clara Frederick, a Canadian, who was visiting Calabar for the first time, said she was having a good time as she had been treated well by the residents and would like to visit again in 2024.

    There was massive presence of security officials at different parts of the city, especially along the carnival route, with vehicular movements effectively diverted.

    This is to forestall a reoccurrence of the 2022 incident where some people lost their lives and many were injured by a recklessly driven vehicle which ran into the carnival route.

    The various bands are expected to interprete the theme of the carnival which is: “The season of Sweetness.”

    They are expected to perform at different adjudication points where they will be judged by a panel and the winning band will go home with a cash prize.

    Some of the competing bands in the event include the Master Blaster Band and Seagull Band.

    Others are Diamond Band, Bayside Band, Passion Four Band, Calas Vegas Band among others.

    Carnival Calabar’s children festival returns after 8-year hiatus

    Meanwhile, the children’s carnival segment of Carnival Calabar held on Wednesday as the children held  revellers spellbound with different dance performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Cross River.

    The children in their numbers performed radiating an aura of sweetness,  in line with the theme for the carnival,  “Season of Sweetness”.

    No fewer than seven bands performed during the Children Carnival at the UJ Esuene Stadium, in Calabar.

    The state government had in 2015 announced the temporal suspension of the Children Carnival which usually precedes the main festival.

    The performances were unique as local music cutting across different languages were engaged in the course of the carnival.

    The Bayside Band, who tagged their performance, “Circus of Happiness”, performed with Onyeka Onwenu’s music, “One Love”.

    Also, Passion 4, the band with the most wins in the previous editions of the carnival exhibited heights of creativity with members during their parade using their bodies to create drums, guitars and keyboards.

    They showcased the need for hardwork to become scholars and successful individuals.

    Other bands like Masta Blasta, Freedom and Diamond also had their parade.

    Ghana, Cameroon,15 States shine at 2023 cultural carnival in Calabar

    Also, cultural troupes from Ghana, Cameroon and 15 States in Nigeria were among those that shone at the 2023 Calabar Cultural Carnival on Wednesday.

    The event, which witnessed cultural performances from the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River, had different cultural groups in colourful cultural attires.

    Declaring the event open, the Deputy Governor, Mr Peter Odey, said it was “one of its kind as it is happening in the season of sweetness”.

    In his remarks, Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman, Cross River Carnival Commission, said that out of the 22 states that expressed interest, 15 had arrived at the time of the flag-off of the cultural carnival.

    Onah listed states that were on ground to include Enugu, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Yobe, Ondo, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom.

    “Today marks the bedrock of our tomorrow. Culture is what unites us. It is our true strength. We are live with over 15 million viewers on DSTV and other platforms.”

    In an interview, however, the leader of the Akwa Ibom continent, Ms Abigail Akpakip, said that the attendance was “a bit low due to the economic situation in the nation”.

    While commending the government of Cross River for a good organisation, Akpakip said the few states that were in attendance were passionate about showcasing their cultural heritage.

    Also, Mr Haruna Abu, leader of the  cultural troupe from Ondo State, said the carnival was an improvement from what they saw in the previous years.

    He added that they were okay with the logistics and accommodation for the troupes

    The performing States and local governments were judged at different adjudication points on the carnival route.

    The criteria for determining the best performing states included the costume, dance, use of time and presentation of the theme.

    Prizes are to be awarded to the best three states and local governments.