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Tag: Cross River

  • FG flags off 73km Calabar-Ogoja federal highway rehabilitation

    FG flags off 73km Calabar-Ogoja federal highway rehabilitation

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has flagged off the rehabilitation of the 73km Odukpani Junction-Ikot Okopra-Akpet 1 section of the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road.

    The Minister flagged off the rehabilitation of the road on Monday in Biase local government area of Cross River.

    Fashola said the project, which would cost N14,017,170,597.90, is a demonstration of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to bridge the infrastructural gap in the country.

    He said this was geared towards providing the much needed stimulants for economic growth and ease of doing business.

    The project handled by a local contractors, Sermatech Construction Company, is expected to be completed in 24 months.

    Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State in the Ministry, Alhaji Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, said the Federal Government is investing heavily in the provision of critical infrastructure with at least one ongoing road project per state.

    “This project is a 73km single carriage way. It links the industrial town of Akamkpa to Biase-Yakurr road. Its frequent plying by industrialists around the area led to its deterioration.

    “The shoulders of the road have been completely eroded, while the entire alignment is riddled with alligator cracks, as well as characterized by potholes.

    “The scope of work for the contract entails site clearance of shoulders, scarification of the existing failed carriage way and the provision of asphaltic concrete surfacing.

    “The scope of work also include, surface dressing of shoulders, concrete lined drains, de-silting of blocked culverts, reinforced concrete pipe culverts among others.

    “When completed, the road will greatly reduce vehicle operation maintenance cost, improve travel time, reduce accidents as well as loss of lives and properties.

    “It will also enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people along the corridor, generate employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour and assist in the fight against crime,” he said.

    The Director in charge of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitations in the Ministry, Mr Yemi Oguntominiyi, said the massive infrastructure development was embarked on by the present administration across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

    According to Oguntominiyi, the rehabilitation is aimed at providing the much needed impetus to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of the people.

    The Minister and his entourage also inspected other completed and ongoing rehabilitation projects along the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja federal highway led by the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mr Bassey Nsentip.

     

  • 2019: INEC to accord some voters preferential treatment

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said some voters would be accorded preferential treatment during voting in the 2019 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai stated this on Monday in Calabar at a meeting with People with Disabilities (PwDs).

    The Commissioner said that the meeting was part of INEC’s desire to ensure that all stakeholders in the electoral process were carried along in its preparations for a credible election.

    He said INEC was doing everything possible to ensure that everyone eligible voted in the election irrespective of his or her condition.

    According to him, the commission is making special arrangements for PwDs to vote easily at the polling boots.

    “The aged and People with Disabilities are to be given preferential treatment during voting and INEC is working on ensuring that all votes count this time,” he said.

    He revealed that INEC registered 1,527,058 voters for the forthcoming General Elections.

    He said that the number represented those registered before 2015 election and during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) from 2017 to Aug. 2018.

    He, however, said that some Permanent Voter Cards were yet to be collected, but expressed the hope that the number would be reduced drastically before the election.

    “We have taken the PVCs collection to the wards and reports are coming in and we hope that before the elections all the cards may be collected,” he said.

    Briyai advised the PwDs who were yet to collect their cards to visit the nearest collection centers in their area and collect their cards, so as to enable them vote during the election.

     

  • NDLEA in C’River arrests 180 drug suspects in 2018

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Cross River Command arrested 180 persons for drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in 2018.

    The State NDLEA Commander, Mrs Anthonia Edeh, made this known in the command’s 2018 Annual Report released in Calabar on Monday.

    Edeh said that within the period under review, a total of 251.552 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) were seized from suspects.

    “Also 30.90 grammes of Cocaine; 14.80 grammes of Heroin and 22.5 kilogrammes of Psychotropic substances were seized, ” she said.

    The commander said that within the period under review, 51 drug offenders were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to 10 years by the Federal High Court, Calabar Division.

    According to her, 71 drug addicts comprising 64 males and seven females were counselled and reintegrated with their families.

    She attributed the successes recorded by the command in the year under review to the support and cooperation of the Cross River Government and members of the public.

    “We need more of such support from the government and well-meaning citizens of the state in tackling drug menace in our society,’’ Edeh said.

    The commander decried the rising cases of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state, especially among the youth.

    She, however, called on parents to always insist on knowing the movement of their wards.

    Edeh also appealed to members of the public to furnish the agency with information about those involved in the sale of hard drugs and psychotropic substances in their neighborhood.

     

  • INEC to recruit 15,000 ad hoc staff for elections in Cross River

    INEC to recruit 15,000 ad hoc staff for elections in Cross River

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River says it will recruit 15,000 ad hoc staff for the forthcoming general elections in the state.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai, made this known on Wednesday at a media briefing on preparations of the commission for the elections in Calabar.

    Briyai said: “We are going to recruit 15,000 ad hoc staff through online application.

    “Already, we have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to use their members.

    “If they are not enough, we recruit from the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    “If we cannot get the required number, we go to the higher institutions in the state, and if we still cannot get the required number, we will go for the ex-corps members.

    “We believe that these classes of people will give us the manpower required for the elections. The process is going to be through online application,’’ Briyai said.

    The REC said those recruited would be subjected to taking oath of allegiance that also included members of staff of INEC.

    “This is to ensure that they do all that are required for a credible election in the state. “We are ready for credible, fair and free elections,’’ he said.

    Briyai said that the commission in the state had begun receiving sensitive materials for the elections.

    According to him, the commission has carried out extensive training of all categories of members of staff ahead of the elections to ensure perfection.

    He also said the training of security personnel to be involved in the election would soon commence across the three senatorial districts in the state.

     

  • Several dead as tanker explodes in Cross River

    Several dead as tanker explodes in Cross River

    There was pandemonium on Friday in Cross River State has a tanker filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) explodes killing several people.

    According to the Police on Saturday the petrol tanker veered off the road, caught fire and exploded as people tried to recover fuel.

    The vehicle crashed in the Odukpani area of the southeastern state of Cross River, just north of the state capital, Calabar, at about 5pm on Friday.

    Local residents rushed to collect the leaking fuel when it caught fire, triggering the blast.

    Cross River state police spokeswoman Irene Ugbo said the blast could have been sparked by the clashing of steel containers used to scoop up the petrol.

    “I can’t confirm the exact number of casualties,” she said, adding: “The casualties are high.”

    The injured were taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for treatment to varying degrees of burns.

    One local resident, Akpan Imon, said at least 18 people were killed.

    “I counted 18 bodies including women and children burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

    “I believe the casualty level could be more because people from other neighbouring communities had thronged the scene.”

    Another local, Sunday Ibor, said “over 20 bodies” were taken to the local government secretariat.

    Petrol tanker and pipeline blasts are common in Nigeria, where despite the country’s multi-billion-dollar oil and gas industry, most people live in poverty.

    Fires and explosions often occur as people try to siphon fuel from pipelines and also following accidents involving fuel tankers on badly maintained road.

    In July 2012, at least 104 people were killed and some 50 others wounded as they tried to collect fuel from a petrol tanker after an accident in the southern state of Rivers.

    Most were killed in the subsequent fire.

    In June last year, at least nine people died in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, when a petrol tanker crashed, triggering a wildfire that gutted more than 50 vehicles.

    …Governor Ayade expresses shock, mourns

    Meanwhile, the state governor, Ben Ayade has expressed shock at the incident.

    Ayade conveyed his condolence in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita, on Saturday in Calabar.

    “My heart goes out to all the victims of the fuel tanker explosion. This is the most horrendous way to die.

    “I am too shocked and traumatized to express the depth of my grief for the victims of the explosion.

    “As a government, we must try and reach out to the victims’ families who are affected by these avoidable deaths.

    “Whatever circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident must be thoroughly investigated. This is one tragedy too many. We must do something to ensure this does not happen again,” he said.

    Ayade pleaded with residents not to subject themselves to such avoidable deaths, adding that the state Ministry of Information and Orientation would begin sensitisation campaign on the matter.

    He said that the campaign should educate the citizens on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers laden with petroleum products.

    Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, confirmed the incident.

    Nkwonta, who spoke to NAN in a telephone interview, said that the tanker fell off the road side at around 2pm on Friday.

    “We suspected the incident to have happened out of speed violation on the side of the driver. He was slightly injured when my men visited the scene.

    “We did our best to ensure safety around the scene by ensuring free flow of movement around the area.

    “Unfortunately, at night, some people went there and started scooping fuel and there was an explosion that resulted to mass casualty.

    “I want to use this medium to advise people to stop scooping fuel from fallen tankers laden with petroleum product, it’s not safe,” he said.

    NAN reports that some of the victims who sustained third degree injuries were currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

  • Ayade preaches hope on New Year

    Ayade preaches hope on New Year

    Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has urged Cross Riverians to be hopeful of a better 2019 as the foundation his administration has laid in the last three years is progressively being crystalized through the rapid industrialization of the state.

    In his New Year message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Governor Ayade said the herald of a New Year, which comes with new vistas, new aspirations and a revitalized hope, offers Cross Riverians the chance to look forward to a better Cross River in 2019.

    According to Ayade: “Seeing out a year gone by and ushering in a new one is always a moving experience. If we take stock of the year gone by, we have every reason to be happy as our expectations are being fulfilled and our efforts at building a virile, stable and sustainable Cross River is crystalizing.”

    While soliciting a hand of fellowship to actualize the dreams envisioned by his administration, the governor said: “Today, I thank you for standing by us so far and for the great support we have received from you. I also urge you to stretch your hands along with me that together, we may force a dawn of greatness on Cross River State.”

    Ayade who highlighted the giants steps he has taken in the last three years to reposition the state and decouple it from the federal allocation, noted that “massive industrialization in the area of the establishment of the Calabar Garment Factory, the Rice seedlings and multiplication centre, the cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the fully automated and digitalized rice mill in Ogoja, the piles and pylons factory in Akamkpa, are some of the strides we have made towards making the state self-reliant.”

    Others according to the governor, include the tooth pick factory in Ekori, in Yakurr Local Government Area, the Banana plantation in Odukpani, the Noodle and chicken processing factories, organic fertilizer plant all in Calabar, the British/Canadian international school in Obudu.

    Assuring that 2019 signals the crystallization of the momentum begun three years ago, Ayade, said: “As we begin a new voyage to a New Year, it offers us another unique opportunity to consolidate on our well scripted chapter with exhilarating pages that are worth reading by the end of the year.”

     

  • Calabar Carnival: 5000 power bikes, 300 vintage cars thrill revelers

    Calabar Carnival: 5000 power bikes, 300 vintage cars thrill revelers

    Residents and revelers at the ongoing Calabar Carnival were yesterday treated to a breathtaking showpiece by over 5000 power bikers and 300 vintage cars drivers.

    The Bikers Carnival which is in its second edition as a spice to the carnival offering drew bikers and drivers from America, Canada, Australia, Germany and other parts of the world including Africa.

    Also participating on the program tagged, “wonders on wheels,” were a wide range of convertibles numbering about 300 as well as other vintage cars that existed in 70s.

    Flagging off the event at the Millennium Park Roundabout which serves as the take off point, Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade intimated that “this new version was introduced to pump the adrenaline of the young people.”

    His words: “This is a new version of what our Carnival Calabar entails. Today, we are taking you through a variety of different action on the wheels. This is a new option and we just introduced this to ensure that we pump the adrenaline of young people.”

    Ayade who arrived the flag off point with a red and black bandana and accompanied by his wife, Linda, said: “I got some friends from the United States, Australia, Canada who just arrived Calabar to be with us for this carnival, so you are lucky to have this opportunity to watch the first option of formula K in Calabar.”

    The governor charged tourists and visitors to the state to “take advantage of the beauty, greenery and all that exists in Calabar to enjoy the warmth, embrace and the agility of the African man, providing a shoulder for all to lean on,” adding: “please find time while here to savour this rich city.”

    Earlier, Chairman Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, disclosed that the vintage cars on the streets had existed when many were not born.

    He lauded Ayade for his vision to introduce an addendum to the fleets of events lined up to spice up the Carnival Calabar program.

    The power bikes, convertibles and vintage cars had a field day along the 14 kilometres Carnival Calabar routes entertaining over 40,000 spectators who watched them perform a variety of stunts.

     

  • US, Germany, Australia, Canada participate in Calabar Bikers Carnival

    US, Germany, Australia, Canada participate in Calabar Bikers Carnival

    Competitors from the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia are participating in this year’s Bikers’ Parade in the ongoing Calabar Carnival.

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River made this known while fagging-off the event in Calabar on Thursday.

    “Some of our friends from various countries of the world are here to participate in the bikers’ parade.

    “We have nationals from Germany, US, Canada, Australia and others as you can see,” he said.

    According to him, Calabar carnival has become an international brand which draws interest from people all over the world.

    The governor said that some unique features had been introduced into this year’s bikers’ parade as well as other events to improve what had been on ground.

    “We are going to give you a new version of what Carnival Calabar represents. Today we have added, “Wonder on Wheels 2018 ’’ with a brand of Formula K bikes.

    “You will witness displays and things you have never seen before,” Ayade said.

    He added that Cross River had a unique history which the carnival represented.

     

  • 2018 Northfest: Ayade enjoins youths to embrace farming

    Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ben Ayade, has challenged the youths of Northern Senatorial Zone of the state to participate actively in agriculture as a means of wealth creation.

    Making the call Saturday, during the 2018 edition of the agricultural festival tagged: ‘NorthFest”, a yearly celebration of the harvest of new yams across the five local government areas of the state, Governor Ayade said he was ready to uptake all produce from their farms at a cost above the market price, if the youths could take to farming.

    At the Rice mill complex, Ogoja, venue of the event which is in its second edition, the governor charged: “As young men, if you want to make money from me, bring your produce here and Ayade will buy all. The significance of this NorthFest is not only to encourage our people to seek integration among us but above all to focus on agro industry.”

    Ayade noted that “this second edition of the northern festival represents a journey towards the actualisation of a paradigm that will guarantee the classical demonstration of the peace and unity of the people of the north.”

    Ayade said as a son of the Northern Senatorial District of the state, it was his desire to strengthen the people of the area to become more cohesive and united.

    “I will focus on the dual carriage way from Mfom down to Obudu ranch as this will bring us together, increase our intermarriages, make us grow closer and become one family in the entire north and above all reduce the travel time from 56 minutes from Obudu to Yala to 17 minutes.”

    While commending the organisers and participants for the improvement on this year’s event, Ayade who took an inspection of the yam barns, the arts and crafts as well as the mini market displayed by the various local government areas, announced several changes to make the event bigger and better next year.

    He listed the changes to include an amazing royal ensemble by the various local government areas where the paramount rulers, clans and village heads will lead their people with the swagger that characterises a typical northerner, pounded yam competition and the native soups, pointing out that “this is our culture and we must sustain it for the festival to be the biggest in Africa.”

    Other changes Ayade announced were “inclusive participation of all in a carnival-like version as there will be a band for every local government area to participate,” adding that “we will not have a situation where a large chunk of the population will be standing and watching.”

    According to the governor, “everyone who comes here next year will have something to eat, there will be food for every local government area, this gate will be widely open as we make this event a strong competition to every sociocultural program in the state, country and Africa at large.”

    He used the occasion to applaud sons and daughters of the senatorial district for believing in his administration’s policies, programs and visions as demonstrated in members of other political parties returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to support his return as governor till 2023.

    Paramount Ruler of Ogoja, Buturu Godwin Denis Udu, who spoke on behalf of the traditional institution in the area, described Ayade as an accomplished intellectual and scientist cum entrepreneur who remains a blessing to his people.

    The Royal father maintained that “the governor has also applied his intellect in every respect through the various industrialization drives so introduced upon assumption of office,” intimating that “the traditional institution will swim and sink with Ayade in appreciation of all he is doing for the good of the citizenry.”

    Chairman, Central planning committee, Chief Peter Ojie, in his remarks, thanked Governor Ayade for “rejuvenating the agricultural base of the people by considering agriculture as profitable and something that can be done to put food on the table of the children while earning an income.”

    Ojie also said: “We thank you because you have revolutionized our thinking as we can no longer till the soil but can work with our brains and achieve a lot,” adding that “this indeed, is a new way of life and revolution that will take us to compare with China and all the big nations that have done well.”

    Affirming that the people of the northern senatorial district were occupationally agrarian, a vocation the governor had identified through mechanized farming, by occupation and the governor thought it wise to bring in industrialization and mechanized farming, Ojie said: “All we have to pay you is to join the rest of Cross Riverians in renewing your mandate by 2019 because four more years of the Ayade revolution will certainly take us to where we want.”

    Earlier, Head of local government administration (HOLGA- Ogoja), Mrs Margaret Asu, disclosed that the essence of the festival was to cement the existing bond of ancestral relationship of the people of northern Cross River.

    The event featured cultural dance display, pageantry and presentation of prizes.

     

  • Dozens killed, several injured as communities clash in Cross River

    Dozens killed, several injured as communities clash in Cross River

    There was pandemonium on Monday in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State after a violence that broke out in four communities of the LGA left dozens killed and many more injured.

    According to a report by Premium Times, hundreds of women and children have also been displaced by the violence which broke out in Urugbam, Egbor, Ipene, and Abanwan, four of the 10 communities that make up Erei clan, which predominantly occupies the southwestern tip of Cross River near the border with Abia State.

    An indigene traced the violence to the sale of a parcel of land, used tocultivate palm fruits since 1973. The land reportedly belonged toUrugbam and Egbor communities, but was leased out by the Egborcommunity to African Stone Works Ltd., allegedly without the consentof the Urugbam and other communities that have been a part of thecultivation for over 45 years.

    They accused security agencies of not immediately responding to theviolence, which they said was still ongoing as of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

    The 14 Brigade Nigerian Army is located a few minutes away across the Abia State border in Ohafia, and residents said soldiers there must have heard as heavy gunshots were ringing out amongst Erei people.

    TheCross River police commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa confirmed that a deadly clash broke out in the communities, but said officers havebeen deployed to quell it.

    “We have sent our men from divisions and area commands to the communities,” Mr Inuwa said by telephone Tuesday morning.

    The police chief said he was yet to have a full report on casualty figures because he had been in Calabar, the state capital, butinsisted that the crisis has been contained and no report of escalation from his officers on ground.