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Tag: Cross River

  • Eid-El Kabir: Emulate Prophet Ibrahim, Ayade urges Muslims

    Cross River state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has felicitated with Muslims in the country on the festival of Eid-El Kabir.

    The Governor harped on peace and sacrifice as Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts round the world to mark the occasion.

    He enjoined them to imbibe the spirit of love, obedience, sacrifice and sharing that the celebrationnof Eid-El Kabir signifies in line with the principle of Islam.

    In a Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Christian Ita, the governor charged Muslims and Nigerians to be ready to make the sacrifices necessary for the progress of the country, which is currently passing through challenging times.

    Ayade said Nigerians should keep aside all forms of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, in the interest of unity, progress, peace and prosperity of the Country.

    “The Eid-el-Kabir presents an opportunity for Muslim faithfuls to reflect on the faith, which prophet Ibrahim dutifully agreed to sacrifice his son in obedience to the command of Allah.

    “May I use this period of Eid-El Fitri to speak to our souls and remind us that our nation is going through challenges and all of us must play our role to overcome these challenges.

    “As a government we have provided a peaceful, conducive environment for all citizens to cohabit irrespective of their religion, tribe or ethnic coloration in Cross River State.”

    While thanking Muslims in Cross River for making the state their home and also for supporting his administration, the Governor admonished Nigerians to shun acts capable of disrupting the unity, togetherness and peaceful co-existence of the country as the 2019 general elections approach.

     

  • Breaking: Mrs. Ukpukpen wins Cross River Assembly by-election, to replace deceased husband

    Breaking: Mrs. Ukpukpen wins Cross River Assembly by-election, to replace deceased husband

    The Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen, has won Saturday’s Obudu State Constituency By-Election into the Cross River House of Assembly.

    Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen is widow of a member of the Assembly, Stephen Ukpukpen, who died in May. His seat was declared vacant following his death.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai, announced the result on Sunday in Obudu, Headquarters of Obudu Local Government.

    According to Briyai, the PDP Candidate scored 12,712 votes to beat her closest rival, Mr Ishamali Bendel, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 4,345 votes.

    Other results include: Awafang Angiating of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), who scored 132 votes and Agwupuye Umeka of African Democratic Party (ADP), who scored 114 votes to place third and fourth, respectively.

    “Total valued votes 17,303; rejected votes 607; total votes cast 17,910; total number of registered voters 69,908, ‘’ he said.

    The REC commended the Electorate for the peaceful conduct of the exercise and urged them to replicate the same disposition in the 2019 year’s general elections.

    Therefore, Mrs Abbey Ukpukpen, a staff of the University of Calabar, will now replace her late husband in the assembly.

     

  • Gov. Ayade receives Bakassi Deep Seaport concept design

    Ahead of the full commencement of construction work on the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade yesterday, received the concept design from a Chinese firm, China Harbour Engineering Company.

    During a 3-D presentation by a team of Chinese engineers led by Mr. Jason Wang, Governor Ayade announced that full scale construction work will begin as soon as the rains subside.

    “Today presents us the great opportunity in the history of our state as we forge ahead in the process of the actualization of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, the governor assured,”

    Continuing he said: “The port is viable, the characteristics are hydraulics and all the studies, even the barometric and geotechnical is completed, design complex is finalized and once government gives approval, all the detailed designs will be ready in no distant time and construction will start on the onset of the next dry season.”

    Highlighting some of the special features of the port, Ayade stated: “The special advantage of our Bakassi deep seaport is its access to a wide amalgam of great opportunity via the 275 kilometers evacuation corridor and therefore I will call on the patience of the people of Cross River State, the commitment, will and the prayers of everyone to ensure that this noble project comes to its realization.

    “Obviously, this special deep seaport has its own privileges. The key privilege is that it has a huge potential for our bank cargo which is lacking in other ports in Africa today. The huge vast agricultural land mass of over 231,000 square kilometers allows for massive cultivation and export of cash crops, including agricultural products and produce thereby becoming very clear that it is going to be vital.”

    He further explained: “The massive deposit of solid minerals in the northern part of Nigeria which has remained landlocked and unexploited occasioned by the difficulty of getting into a maritime corridor will be resolved with this project. This project naturally means that the government and people of Cross River State are taking their Atlantic coast to northern Nigerian by taking the Atlantic Ocean 275 kilometers into the hinterland of Nigeria, bringing it to the very corridor of Nassarawa State.”

    While lauding the Chinese firm for delivering on a world class design for the project Ayade said

    “working closely with China Harbour, we have come to the understanding that they are a great team, a perfect team, a world class, number one company in harbor designs and construction, currently handling similar projects in Nigeria and some parts of Africa.

    “As a leading construction company when it comes to harbour designs and construction, Cross River State is therefore bringing to you the very best to deliver on this life changing project that will transform the economic landscape of the state as we commence construction of the first phase of the project,” he stressed.

    Justifying government’s involvement in the business aspect of the port, Ayade said:

    “The Chinese Harbour where government is fully involved in running its businesses has become very evident that that is the way forward which is why our government and indeed the people of Cross River State are focused on creating an alternative income by decoupling ourselves from over dependence on federal government allocation. It is against that background, that the Bakassi deep seaport with an evacuation corridor is done.

    “We will soon be going for initial public placement, where we will be asking for subscriptions when we go through the security and exchange commission to allow every Cross Riverian to be equity owner of this Bakassi deep seaport according to their carrying capacity,” Ayade hinted.

    Earlier, the Managing Director, China Harbour Engineering Company, Mr. Jason Wang who described the port as very viable, given its location promised to deploy their expertise to Calabar to deliver on the project.

     

  • Disaster: Generator fumes kill family if eight in Cross River

    The decomposing bodies of 8 Cameroonian refugees were discovered in their room in Ikom, Cross River State today July 28th.

    According to reports, the dead persons were refugees who fled Cameroon following the trouble in their area and sought solace in Cross River state after crossing the border.

    People suspect they might have died from generator fumes and might have been dead for days considering the decomposing state of their bodies.

    The bodies have been evacuated while investigation is ongoing

    Graphic photos below:

     

  • Ayade: Cross River cocoa processing plant ready soon

    Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has expressed satisfaction with ongoing work at the 30000 tonnes per annum cocoa processing plant in Ikom.

    Ayade, who was visibly excited by the delivery of equipment for the plant, said the factory will soon be ready for commissioning.

    “I am really impressed. As you can see, intellectual money is on display here. From what I have seen, the contractors deserve excellent pats on the back. This is what we call commitment and consistency,” the governor remarked.

    He said the plant has the capacity to process cocoa beans to chocolate bars.

    “Again, we are going to be the first in Africa as this is the first cocoa processing plant that will process cocoa beans to chocolate,” he stated.

    He said with the delivery of the equipment, his vision for cocoa revolution in the state is crystalizing.

    The governor, who said he knew from the first day he was sworn in, what he needed to do to enhance the economic well-being of the people, said the plant will bring about value-chain addition to cocoa, which will ultimately enrich cocoa farmers in the state.

    “This is the spirit of intellectual money and Cross River ultimately will be proud that I knew where I was going from the beginning. I am following an agenda that at the end of my eight years in office, when every single citizen of the state remembers my days, he or she will say this young man had a great vision.

    “For all the years gone by Cross River has been producing cocoa for other states to bear the name because we did not have an off-take mechanism, we did not have a programme by government to buy off the cocoa at good rates. So, outsiders used to come in and buy the cocoa from us and grade it as cocoa from their own state.”

    The plant, which will soon be operational, now offers cocoa farmers in the state “the opportunity, platform and industry to process their own cocoa, giving a premium value for money. A cocoa house is going to be built here. Once you have a cocoa farm, you just come here, collect money during harvest, we take your cocoa, so you have money for the product and you don’t have to go to bank to get a loan.”

    Ayade therefore, urged the people of the central senatorial district to see the cocoa processing plant as their own baby by ensuring no harm comes to it.”

     

  • No plan to attack Cross River community – Miyetti Allah

    No plan to attack Cross River community – Miyetti Allah

    The Cross River State Branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has debunked rumours that Fulani herdsmen were planning to attack residents of Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River.

    The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Hassan Abo, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Calabar, described the rumour as “devilish and wicked’’.

    Abo said that cattle breeders in Obanliku had been living peacefully with residents of the local government over the years, adding that the unity should not be destroyed with fake rumour.

    “It is not true that Fulani herdsmen are planning to attack any community in Obanliku Local Government or any other area in the state.

    “As an umbrella body of the breeders association, we want to state clearly that we are peace loving people, residing here in Cross River State.

    “We urge government and the security agencies to bring anyone found wanting to book. I want to applaud Gov. Ben Ayade for his efforts in protecting lives and property of all residents in the state.

    Alhaji Yusuf Usman, the Chief Imam of Obudu Mosque, told NAN in a telephone interview that the rumour got to them late on July 17.

    Usman said that the information, which had caused panic in the area, had reduced the distance breeders go with their cattle to search for pasture.

    “Due to the rumour, we are now scared. Some cattle breeders can no longer move freely because members of the community are now seeing them as their enemies.

    “The rumour that Fulani herdsmen are planning to attack them is false. Obudu and Obanliku Local Governments are very close and I want to state clearly that we have no such plan against our host communities.

    “I wish to assure the state government and security agencies that we will not allow breakdown of law and order from our members in this area,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Cross River to sanction 54 health workers for extorting patients

    Cross River to sanction 54 health workers for extorting patients

    Fifty-four healthcare workers in Cross River State are to be sanctioned over alleged extortion of money from patients in different primary healthcare facilities across the state.

    Dr Betta Edu, the Director-General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made this known on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar.

    Edu told newsmen that the agency had set up a disciplinary committee to look into the petition, including absenteeism and gross misconduct of members of staff.

    She added that the committee would also checkmate the workers and punish the offenders with a view to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Edu, who did not disclose the category of sanctions for the erring workers, warned them to shun all forms of sharp practices.

    “Some of the issues at the primary healthcare level are the extortion of money under the table by charging members of the public for the services that are supposed to be free.

    “Also, the issue of workers’ absenteeism and reporting to work late are hindering the smooth delivery of healthcare services, especially at the rural areas.

    “Gov. Ben Ayade is a labour-friendly personality who has been paying workers’ salaries and rural allowances on time and as such, there is no need for sharp practices,’’ she said.

    The director-general said that the agency was looking into improving the integrated supportive supervision for members of staff with a view to ensuring that primary health care facilities were open for service accordingly.

    She advised residents in the rural communities to always report any erring health worker, who demand money from them for health services.

    Edu said that medical service delivery at the primary health care level was completely free.

  • Consortium of Indian firms to invest $100m in Cross River

    Consortium of Indian firms to invest $100m in Cross River

    A consortium of Indian firms under the auspices of Associated Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Agriculture and Mines (ASSOCHAM) has expressed its readiness to invest well over USD100 Million in se sectors of the Cross River State economy.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting some projects executed by Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar, the group attributed its investment interest in the state to the conducive and friendly business environment the governor has entrenched.

    They expressed optimism that their partnership with the state government will create more jobs for the teeming youth as well as check restiveness.

    Rahul Mehndiratta, a representative of Avaada Concept, said: “We are bringing in about one hundred million United States dollars to invest in Cross River to build and evacuate two set of solar plants that will provide each local government headquarters in the state with 100 megawatt electricity to support the industrialization initiative of the state.

    According to Mehndiratta, “Because of the critical role power plays in any economy, we are here to complement the effort of the state government in promoting industrialization by leveraging on the abundant resources to supply solar powered electricity to the state.”

    On his part, Ravi Kumar representative of Simba Group, manufacturers of tricycles, disclosed the decision of his firm to put up a training school in the state on repairs of tricycles.

    “We are putting up a training school in Calabar to train mechanics and drivers on how to drive their tricycles safely with the view to reducing the rate of accident.”

    He further hinted: “For the first phase, we are training and also empowering after training, 200 artisans that will be selected across the 18 local government areas with plans to expand for more people as we go on.”

    Also speaking, Engr. Nitin Mahajan Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, T & D Technologies (Nig) Limited, explained: “We are bringing in the technology for a large scale mechanized farming in the state to check food insecurity with 100 percent buy back from India and to put in place effective distribution network in the state that will grow agro business in the for wealth creation.”

    Responding, Governor Ayade stated that “The good thing with their investment is that they are not coming as a people who are looking for purchase but they are here with a concept to invest, bringing in Indian equity to invest and reap in the process.”

    He added that “If our rice revolution initiative must be sustained, we need these kinds of partnership because I have implicit confidence in them and I am very excited with gratitude to the Indian High Commission for their role in making this a reality.

    “I must say that this is one of the investments that are coming due to my trips to India. Today they are here ready to bring in their money to grow our economy and better the lot of our citizenry.”

    Continuing Ayade said: “This is good news; indeed this is what has come with the advent of our rice seedling factory because the whole world has watched it and they are fully conscious of what we are doing here. Indians are rapidly going into the world in a fierce competition with China and the rate at which they are going with their sophistication and the reliability of their equipment, I see them as a group to partner with which is the reason they have come to the state.”

    On the power supply which has been a major bane to industrialization in the country.

    “Obviously due to the huge investment that will be coming through the rice value chain and the ambitious commitment of the state to do over one million hectares of land for the cultivation of rice and additional twenty thousand hectares for the cultivation of yellow maize, it is obvious that we need partnerships, because these farms are located in stranded communities in the sense that there is no direct access to national grid, so, the connectivity and supply of power from the various Indian groups using photovoltaic cells, their instrumentality of solar power becomes very imperative and we are rooting for them,” he added.

    Ayade maintained that the power generation will further boost power supply and add value to the Ayade industrial park that will soon become a business hub in sub Saharan Africa, as well as increase more access to power at the various farm locations across the 18 local government areas of the state.

     

  • Polio: C/River Govt. targets 808,470 children for immunisation

    Polio: C/River Govt. targets 808,470 children for immunisation

    The Cross River Government on Sunday said it is targeting no fewer than 808, 470 children across the state for the Second Round of the 2018 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS).

    Dr. Betta Edu, Director General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made the disclosure in Calabar during the flag-off of the programme by the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu.

    Edu said the state government had mobilised 7, 588 health workers to ensure the success of the exercise in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “The agency is working tirelessly in ensuring that children between zero to five years have unhindered access to polio vaccine.

    “We need a 100 per cent coverage of this four-day immunisation across the state.

    “We are targeting no fewer than 808, 470 children across the state and we have equally mobilised 7, 558 health personnel for the exercise.

    “Our dream is to see a Cross River and Nigeria that is certified polio free; we must fight anything that is fighting to destroy the future of our children.

    “Polio vaccines are safe and free; the state and development partners have paid for everything”, she said.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Gov., Esu said that every child in Cross River deserved the right to be immunised against polio.
    He explained that the policy trust of Gov. Ben Ayade led administration was to have a zero per cent of childhood diseases in the state and this has benefits.
    “When a child is fully immunised against childhood diseases, he or she will grow healthy, stronger and happier.
    “The exercise is totally free; I urge parents to bring their children out to benefit from the exercise”, he said.

    Dr Inyang Asibong, the State’s Commissioner for Health, said it was important for mothers to always vaccinate their children against childhood diseases.

    Asibong said that Cross River was adjudged by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund as the state with the best child survival indices in Nigeria.

    “Within these four days, I urge all care givers and parents to locate any nearest healthcare centre in their locality to benefit from the numerous health care programmes designed for pregnant and nursing mothers,” Asibong said.

     

  • Strike: Cross River threatens no work no pay

    Strike: Cross River threatens no work no pay

    Cross Rivers state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Joe Abang, has said the State will invoke the no work no pay policy of the federal government over a planned strike by Ministry of Justice workers.

    TheNewsGuru reports workers in the state ministry of justice under the aegis of Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) planned on shutting down the ministry of justice on Monday the 2nd of July 2018.

    The workers are claiming the Government of CRS has approved but not implemented the harmonization of their salaries with that of Judicial Officers in the Magistrate cadre.

    The Justice Commissioner in a statement on Sunday said, “This issue is in the 2018 Budget and presently being handled by the HOS Barr Ekpenyong Henshaw and the Accountant General of CRS”.

    He further stated that “The SA Labour to the Governor has said this group is not part of NLC and TUC and therefore cannot declare a strike against a Governor who has performed creditably well!”

    “We, therefore, urge the general public and the service to ignore anybody claiming to or purporting to be in support of this group. Our Digital Governor remains open to negotiations in this respect.

    “But the Attorney General and commissioner for justice CRS will not hesitate to implement the “No work No pay policy” of the Federal government should the need arise,” he added.