₦airaland Forum

That is the exact plan

Cross River State Ministry of culture and tourism in conjunction with Akwa ibom state Ministry of culture and tourism present.. Akwa Cross Cycling Parade with the theme: Cycling for humanity. It's going to be big, it's going to be fun. Save the date..... #Anticipate

SUMMIT HILLS ESTATE; SOON TO ENJOY INDEPENDENT POWER.

Challenges of power at the summit hills estate Calabar will soon be a thing of the past as the estate is set to enjoy independent power supply.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director Mr Joseph Edet (LA'SHAKARA) when he received a delegation of investors today at the summit hills complex.

Speaking while welcoming the delegation led by Mr. Donald Dunu of Chord Power And Engineering Services Limited accompanied by Chudi Obianu, Vice President A.P Moller Capital and Ebbe Hamilton, Senior Advisor A.P Moller Capital, the MD emphasised the need for Summit Hills to have access to steady, clean and stable electricity as it will improve the status of the complex and make it the number one destination for convention, wellness, golf and residence in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

"Your visit to Calabar and indeed the summit hills complex is timely and in line with His Excellency's vision of industrialization of the state. "

Continuing the MD Said " The need for steady power supply in this complex cannot be over emphasised as it will go a long way in making us the number one destination for Conferences and leisure in Nigeria"

He also pointed out that with the hospital, 5 star hotel and recreational Park projects coming up in a short while, the energy demand of the complex is bound to soar and depending on diesel powered generators will be too expensive to maintain.

" We have a world class hospital project situated within the complex a 5 star hotel and a recreational park coming up soon. When all of these facilities are ready for use, depending on diesel powered generators alone will be too expensive hence the need for alternative power source."

Also speaking, the Director General of Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau, Barr. Tutu Ekeng welcomed the investors and assured them of the investment friendly nature of the state. She emphasised the desire of the Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade led administration to decouple the state from being a civil service state to an industrial and enterprise minded state.

The Commissioner for Power Mr Victor Agwu who was also present at the meeting assured of Government's readiness to partner in the project as the Governor places emphasis on industrialization of which power is a core enabler.


Responding, the leader of the delegation Mr. Donald Dunu, stated that what the project portends is that Summit Hills will receive electricity for usage and re-supply to their tenants using a Low Cost Entry Model where the management of Summit Hills will not need to invest money to procure,to train or manage the power facility.

The electricity will be sold at a price that hovers around the DISCO tariff such that it will make the re-sale tariff to the facilities, industries and organizations operating in the Summit Hills Complex very attractive while allowing Summit Hills management to generate revenue from the resale of the electricity.

Mr Dunu revealed that upon signing of a Power Sale Agreement, his company will go ahead to provide an initial 2MW of guaranteed electricity supply to Summit Hills via a robust next generation captive power plant to be fired by compressed natural gas (CNG) within four months.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Technical. Hon. Eric Akpo thanked the investors delegation and assured them of governments support towards the successful implementation of the project once all technical details have been put in place to ensure sustainability and make sure that global standards are met.

Dignitaries present at the meeting include, member representing Obudu state constituency Hon Godwin Akwaji and member representing Obubra 2 Constituency Hon Frank Ovat.

The meeting ended with a tour of Summit Hills facilities including the Calabar International Convention Centre.

Ayade: Buhari to commission Cross River’s noodles factory, fertilizer, chicken processing plants

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari will later this month visit the state to commission a number of industries built by his administration.
The governor made the disclosure in Calabar recently.

Ayade has consistently maintained that the key trust of his administration is the rapid Industrialisation of the state as well as building of socio- economic infrastructural projects.

President Buhari's February visit to Cross River will be the third since taking office in 2015 in connection with the governor's projects.
Few weeks after assuming office in 2015 the President visited Cross River to perform the groundbreaking of the 274 kilometre Superhighway highway linking the state with the Northern parts of the country.

President Buhari was again in Cross River in June 2018 to commission the multi-billion Naira automated Calabar Rice seeds and seedlings factory built by the Ayade administration.
Professor Ayade on the President's impending third visit to the state, revealed that the president will “commission the Cala Chika, a frozen chicken fav which processes 24,000 birds per day, he is commissioning the feed mill, he is commissioning the instant noodles factory which is one of the biggest noodles factories in Nigeria. In addition, he is also going to commission the fertilizer plant.”

The Cross River state number one citizen further disclosed that while in the state, the president will also flag off a new Agro- economic empowerment scheme for the Youths, known as G-Money or Green Money.

According to the governor, his administration, through G-Money, seeks to make 1,000 youths millionaires in the first instance.
His words: " In addition, he (President Buhari) is also flagging off G money. G money is a programme for the empowerment of the youths and creating a value chain in agriculture through a beneficiation process that allows young men to hold plots of land and government helps them in the land clearing and processing, so that the industries can now buy back the raw materials from them as feed stock. It is essentially the process of creating a concentric cycle of economy where young people go into farming, generate produce, produce is processed, taken by industries, industries process them into semi and finished products, sell in the market, go back to people and buy."

Giving further insight into how the programme will work, he said: “G-Money provides direct cash for young people who have never seen a million Naira in their life. They are given a million Naira as take off grant, they are given five to 10 plots of land and then they are made to nurse their crops depending on their local government of origin and the crops suitable for their local government. It moves from cassava, from fruits syrup, it goes into blended seed for massage oil and for cancer treatment, it goes even up to rice for the rice milling industry, soya beans as well as maize for feed mill.

“ So, almost every single produce, every single crop has it's ultimate aim. Cocoa for example, cocoa processing results into chocolates. All these factories are in place but now you need the raw materials. The young people are being brought under G Money which is Green Money.
“This will be the first time they are becoming millionaires because they are given a million Naira take off grant with land and land clearing support services. Also attached are tractorisatiin and mechanization support services. We will be looking at close to 2000 young people in the course of the year.”

https://leadership.ng/2020/02/05/pmb-to-commission-criver-noodles-factory-fertilizer-chicken-processing-plants-february/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP-n8cRCo0s

Ayade meets Buhari, seeks fulfillment of President's commitment to Bakassi Deep Seaport, superhighway


Determined to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari fulfills his commitment in 2015 to support the completion of two of his signature projects, the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 276 kilometers superhighway, Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade Monday met with the President in the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting, Ayade described his interaction with the president as engaging and fruitful.
President Buhari had, while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the superhighway and the deep seaport promised to support the completion of the two projects with a view to returning to commission them.

The governor disclosed that he was in the villa to intimate Buhari of the state's economic and infrastructural development.
"The essence of my visit to Mr. President is to share with him a quarterly brief like I have always done, giving him a clear idea and indication of what Cross River State has done so far, particularly in our major signature projects.

"Our discussion also extended and included issues that border on financial status of Cross Rivers State vis-a-vis the Supreme Court judgement in relationship with the loss of Bakassi and its downstream economic implication of the federal government action and position on the issues that deal with consistent support of Cross River State," Ayade offered.

According to him, "the position of the Supreme Court has been obeyed religiously since 2002 to date and I am happy that the President has maintained that decision to find means and ways to support Cross Rivers by way of the stabilization fund which the apex court ordered be paid to the state following the loss of its oil wells to Akwa Ibom."

Ayade who commended the President "for his usual kindness towards the people of Cross River state", explain that he was on the same page with him on the issue of economic diversification hence his government's Agro- Industrialisation drive in Cross River.

"I will like to commend Mr. President most especially for his usual kindness towards the people of Nigeria and Cross River in particular."

Governor Ayade who, however, hinted that their discussion also extended to his key trust, which is Nigeria beyond oil, said: "President Muhammadu Buhari came into office with a clear mandate to the entire Nigerians that we must focus on creating our alternative income beyond oil. Against that background, I took his policy trust and drove it strongly, expanding and focusing especially on rice and grains.

"On the rice beneficiation process, we also discussed the issue of rice mills, the rice seedlings factory, the only seedling factory in Africa, which is actually providing seedlings for all farmers, working and collaborating with central bank. He came to do the commissioning of that factory and gave a standing mandate and order that Nigeria must move from seeds to seedlings, which is the right way to go if you must actually have full value per acreage of your farmland. So that was also elaborately discussed," governor Ayade said.

On his two signature projects, the governor said of his meeting with the President: "The superhighway came in as a frontal issues for discussion. The superhighway and the deep seaport go together as a twin project.

Basically, we have only one maritime corridor in this country and that is Lagos ports. But with the congestion of the Lagos ports, there is a gradual movement as a strategic government policy to see how some of the eastern ports can begin to have life and have cargoes coming in.

"The Calabar port is beginning to receive light vessels with a tonnage of less than 6,000 tons. But that is completely different, the message and the trust is that the Bakassi Deep seaport, with an evacuation corridor to Northern Nigeria, is the strategic way forward for this country."
On why the two projects are of strategic significance to the northern part of the country, the governor further disclosed:

"The major deposits outside of hydrocarbon in this country are in Northern Nigeria. The solid minerals deposits from tantalite to tantalum to bauxite to coal and all such raw metals are found in the northern part of Nigeria.
"Unfortunately, it is impossible for you to evacuate all of that through the roads to a near 2,000 kilometers to ship out of Lagos."

His words: "Today, vessels come into Nigeria and discharge goods and they have nothing to take back because, we are an import dependent country, we have very little to export other than crude oil. This explains the urgent need for an alternative port like the Bakassi deep seaport with the six lane evacuation corridor, stretching from Bakassi to northern Nigeria, terminating at Benue State. It becomes more imperative and urgent, therefore, that as a government we must act."

Describing the port project as an African regional project and Northern Nigerian, the governor stated that the Bakassi Deep seaport, when completed will solve shipping and maritime headache of neighbouring landlocked African countries, especially those in the sahel.

"That project is not a Cross River project, it is rather a Northern Nigeria project. Because, in Bauchi State alone, the amount of tantalum you can pick abruptly, which means you go to a particular belt, you can pick tantalite off the ground. But today, we have 20 container loads of tantalite in Bauchi but its evacuation requires a port. Niger, Chad and all of these other countries bordering the Northern Nigeria are completely landlocked. They evacuate gum Arabic and all their hydrocarbons including cotton and the rest through Cameroon, which is over 2,000 kilometers. A very difficult terrain."

According to the governor, "these countries have written to Cross River State on the Bakassi deep seaport, whose phase three is going to be 20 meters draught. It is urgent, it is critical and they want to take bonded warehouses in the Bakassi deep seaport.

"So, Mr. president understands indeed that the coming to fruition of the Bakassi Deep seaport with an evacuation corridor to the north is like taking the Atlantic Ocean to Northern Nigeria.

"Nigeria needs to create an alternative corridor so that we can decongest Lagos ports. A major alternative port needs to exist and close to the North and that will link the eastern flank. And Calabar is the closest and with the new super highway that cuts travel time from seven hours to about one hour forty five minutes, it is the best option to go with a cargo rail running by the side.

"That is the strategic master plan which is even contained in the master plan of President Buhari‘s Nigeria beyond oil," he maintained.

The Cross River state number one citizen revealed that President Buhari would soon visit the state to commission a new Agricultural scheme called G- Money.

"As part of the discussion with Mr President, we have agreed that he will be visiting Cross River state to commission yet again, a new programme called G-money. G-money is an empowerment of young people through agriculture, job creation through agriculture and the acquisition of massive equipment. And as a state government, the we have procured equipment from John Deere of the United States, the biggest company in the world for deforestation, land clearing, land preparation for agriculture. With the partnership we have with Tata, the local partner, we have made orders and taken delivery of a large number of tractors, bulldozers, payloaders, excavators, the list is endless.

"So we are going to create jobs for over 2,000 young people who will have at least 5,000 hectares of farmland for rice.

"Mr. President will flag off the G-money programme, which is a green economy focusing on agriculture as a way forward. For a country that imports rice, where rice is our staple food, it is a key project to Mr. President, lifting women and young people out of unemployment by creating green jobs for them. The president has given his approval that he is coming to do the grand commissioning of the G-money programme."

Lol Buhari is a really tall guy Sha.

Calabar residents, laud Ayade as dualisation of Tinapa-Odukpani junction gathers Pace


Residents of Calabar and motorists have commended Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for commencing the asphalting of the Tinapa-Odukpani junction dual carriage road that leads to Calabar metropolis.
A cross section of residents along the axis and motorists plying the road, spoken to, said they were already feeling relieved by the pace of work going on.
A motorist, Mr Philip Okon said Governor Ayade was matching words with action, given the fast pace of the construction work.
According to Okon, "the ongoing dualisation of the road is a welcome relief following the hardship motorists encounter on account of the single-lane road which was in deplorable condition."
He lamented that the road which is the only gateway into Calabar usually witnesses gridlock for hours. He added that "the ongoing massive construction work will alleviate our plight."
Another motorist, Mr Eteng Ofem, commended Ayade for the initiative and the speed of work.
“To be honest with you, I was one of those who doubted this project, I never believed this project will even reach the stage it is now.
“We don’t know the magic Ayade is doing because I know Cross River is no longer rich like it used to be because of the loss of the littoral status.
"As we speak, the long traffic is no longer here because the governor has open both sides of the road to ease vehicular movements," he said.
An indigene of Odukpani, Mrs Elizabeth Asuquo, said that the dualization of the road will boost economic activities within and outside the state.
Asuquo who was full of joy for the speed of work, said that the construction will also reduce cases of accidents on the highway.
She urged the governor to monitor the contractor with a view to ensuring timely completion of the project.
The Director of Civil Engineering at the state Ministry of Works, Dr Godwin Akeke, said the road will be delivered before the second quarter of the year.
According to him, "the project is a dual carriage way designed to accommodate the increasing influx of vehicular traffic in and out of the state.
"With the commitment of the state governor, we are targeting to get one section of the road completed by mid February and by end of the April the road should be fully completed.
"The total length of the road is 16.7 kilometres and the work done so far is 75 per cent and the width of the road is 20 meters," he said.

Re-run: Imoke congratulates Egbonna, Etta, urges credible representation

Former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke has congratulated Dr. Alex Egbonna and Dr. Davis Etta for emerging winners of the re-run elections for Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency and Abi State Constituency respectively.
Egbonna is of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Etta is of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Imoke in a statement personally signed by him and issued on Sunday, said with the elections over, it was time for all to unite for the common good of the people of the federal constituency.
While acknowledging that “through the course of this season, as is always the case, tensions were perceived to be high,” he was happy that “ultimately the elections were peaceful.”
He commended both the politicians and electorate “for the maturity exhibited through this election season. Now that elections are over and I believe the better politicians won, we must all sheath our swords and unite for our common good.
“We must condemn and abhor the denegration and abuse of leaders and the perpetuation of divisive tendencies. Abi/Yakurr and indeed Cross River State, can only grow if we give our representatives the requisite support. I also expect that Alex (Egbonna) and Davis (Etta) will provide qualitative representation for the Federal Constituency and the State Constituency, respectively.
“Finally, while acknowledging everyone's constitutional right to seek redress, I advise that this matter not be pursued any further in the courts. For John Gaul and Iwara, I believe you did your best and I wish you well in your future endeavours.”

Cross River Contingent Depart Calabar For National Sports Festival Qualifiers.



The Cross River  State Government has released 110 contingent to participate in the South South elimination stage contest in Delta state ahead of the National Sport Festival scheduled to hold between March 20 to April 1.


The State Commissioner for Sport and Cinematography, Onun Offu Aya,  who adressed the contingent on Monday at the U.J Sport Stadium before their departure, said the athletes were carefully selected to represent the state.


Aya said their departure to Delta is to help them compete within the South South zone ahead of those who will be selected to represent the zone in the festival.


He mention the competing sports to include Volleyball, Abula, Handball, Football and Basketball.


According to him the team of athletes were highly motivated, adding that the motivation came from Gov. Ben Ayade of the state who is always exposing sport men and women to the world to showcase their skills and talents.


"I want to charge you to make us proud as you go. When you excel, the state will be proud of you and that is when people will come and buy you off from the state.


"In this circumstances that you are going for this competition, know that it is your interest first; so you must give in your best as you depart for Delta today.


"Cross River is providing you with the platform to launch yourself out to the world. Dont be intimidated by anybody, just believe in yourself and put in your best," he said.


He charged them to return back to the state with result and prizes, saying the ministry will be on ground to give them a rousing welcome.


The Commissioner reiterated the state government's interest in discovering and exposing young talents in the state to the world.


Also speaking, the leader of the delegation and the State Director of Sport Dr Jude Amadi, told newsmen that the athletes were physically and mentally fit for the contest.


Dr Amadi, who assured that the team will emerge victorious in the outing, thanked Governor Ayade for adequately mobilising them to participate at the elimination stage.

Ayade showing exceptional leadership, Niger-Delta Ministry to partner C’River-Akpabio



The Minister for Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio at the weekend indicated the Ministry's interest in partnering with Cross River state to turn the Niger-Delta region into a hub for rice production in the country.
The Minister was at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Calabar, for a courtesy call on Governor Ben Ayade.
Akpabio who was later given a tour of the rice seeds and Seedlings Factory by Ayade applauded the governor's strides in agricultural value chain, saying Cross River has under his watch attained unparalleled height in Industrialisation.
''l see a great future for the people of Niger Delta through Professor Ben Ayade. He has shown exceptional leadership by the great works he is doing in Cross River State", Akpabio said.
Speaking further, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State said: "We (Niger-Delta Ministry) will explore areas of collaboration with the state. You have proved that it is not so much about the amount of money you collect by way of federal allocation but so much about the quality of your ideas. I want to assure you that under my watch as Minister of Niger Delta, Cross River will never walk alone. My Ministry is focused seriously on Cross River.”
In his own remarks, Governor Ayade decried what he described as Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC's) shabby treatment of Cross River in the scheme of things.
He appealed to the Minister to reverse Cross River's fortune and see the state as its major priority in order to show it is indeed part of the Niger Delta.
"Cross River is the last in the consideration of the NDDC, Cross River is the last in the consideration of Niger Delta Ministry. Please, reverse our fortunes, please reverse the fortunes of Cross River. Show us that you love us. We are suffering.
“We earn N2.7 billion in terms of federal allocation and we pay out N1.7 billion every month for debt servicing, yet we are 35 in terms of revenue allocation.
“Cross River state lost oil wells, we lost our land; Cross River state is the only state in the Niger Delta where ex-militants are not captured in the Amnesty programme, yet NDDC spends billions of Naira on the programme,” the governor lamented.
According to him, his administration's investment in agriculture stemmed from its believe in President Muhammadu Buhari's policy of economic diversification.
"The only way you can actually keep the Niger Delta peaceful and safe is to assist in creating jobs. From the experiences of industrialised countries, all Industrialisation starts with Agro- Industrialisation. The president is championing a Nigeria beyond oil and he is creating a roadmap for Nigeria without oil. Cross River state has keyed into this through Agricultural value Chain.
“We can actually turn Niger Delta into the largest rice producing hub. Our Agro- Industrialisation drive is a model. It puts food on the table, creates jobs, it reduces militancy and insurgency, keeping our pipelines safe,” Ayade further remarked.

Cross River, CBN sign MOU for multi- billion  naira rice seedlings supply to farmers in Nigeria


Cross River state government Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) for the supply of multi- billion Naira rice seeds to  farmers in Nigeria.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Okon Nyong Owuna signed for the state while CBN representative, Tony Ifechukwu signed on behalf of the apex bank.

RIFAN National President, Alhaji Aminu Muhammad Goronyo signed on behalf of the association.

The event took place at the Executive chamber of the governor's office, Calabar.

Speaking on the occasion, the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade reiterated his commitment to ending unemployment in the state through Agro- industrialisation policy of his administration.

The governor disclosed that his administration is to produce about 160,000 rice farmers with government assisting them with all the farm inputs, including clearing the forest, preparing the land, leveling the land, providing the seedlings.

"We need to clear more forests  to expand rice production. We need the support of CBN, we need the support of RIFAN. CBN has a major role to play in ensuring peace and stability in this country through food security.

"Agriculture is one of the major means to knock out unemployment. Today, we are signing a multi- billion Naira contract for the supply of rice seedlings to rice farmer."


Ayade explained that his administration made huge investment in rice production, including the establishment of the rice seeds and seedlings factory in Calabar, tractorization, etc after researching into why other countries were doing well in rice production while Nigeria was lagging behind.


"We felt that we must remove the burden that characterised rice farming in Nigeria, so I had to copy the Taiwanese and Malaysian models where all the inputs are not borne by farmers. We sought to attack the corruption that had attended rice production in Nigeria," the governor further said.

While thanking the CBN for putting  money to support rice production in the country, Ayade quipped: "Today is a sign of good things to come, as we are launching what we call G-Money to produce 1000 millionaires from rice production. Once Nigeria is able to feed Africa, hunger will reduce, poverty will reduce."

On his part, Ifechukwu who represented the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele at the event commended Ayade's agro- Industrialisation drive saying he was interested in Cross River becoming an economically viable state.

He noted that the indexes were all there to realise the goals.

"Governor Ayade is a partner in rice production. CBN is committed to ensuring that the Cocoa processing mill is activated this year. We also want to ensure that what has been achieved in the oil sector can also be replicated in the oil palm sector.

“The signing of the MoU is therefore, a good thing to come out of Africa. It signals the immediate implementation of the agenda of RIFAN," Ifechukwu said. 

On a similar vein, RIFAN National President, Alhaji Aminu Muhammad Goronyo praised Governor Ayade for his giant strides in rice production and what he has done to support rice farmers, saying his effort was exceptional.

"Your efforts to make Nigeria great is exceptional. Your effort is too big for Cross River alone. Nigeria needs you to make it grow. You are one of the best in the country. You are highly brilliant," Goronyo said.

Needless fuzz and fury over Ayade's ministries

The hue and cry over Ayade’s choice of nomenclatures for his ministries and parastatals of government is unfounded and indeed neither here nor there. To start with a ministry is a governmental organisation, that is meant to manage specific sector of public administration. It is a political entity created to address specific public needs and interests of the people. Thus where there are dire needs based on exigencies and expediences, it’s of utmost necessity to create a ministry, a department or agency to formulate policies especially in the long term aimed at unburdening the challenges associated with such matters.

The nomenclatures are deliberately chosen in line with the specific needs and desires of the people and in order to address them. Thus in Britain, former UK Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Tracey Crouch as Minister of Loneliness to tackle the social isolation of the British people. The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness was an organisation set up following the murder of the British Member of parliament Jo Cox which planned to find ways to reduce loneliness in the United Kingdom.

There’s a Ministry of Yoga in Portugal complete with a Yoga Studio in Lisbon, offering Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Ashtanga, Forrest, Yin and Kundalini styles of Yoga. India equally has a Ministry Of Yoga. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind; it helps manage stress and anxiety. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone. It improves respiration, energy and vitality. The government of Portugal and India felt it was of necessity to address fitness issues in their Country.

A Ministry Of Happiness was first created in the United Arab Emirates. It was meant to oversee the UAE plans, programs and policies to achieve a happier society. The responsibility of this office is to "align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction."

There’s also a Ministry for Tolerance in the UAE. On 15 December 2018, Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and the Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force and the chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. The announcement aims to highlight the UAE as a global capital for tolerance and its approach, since its establishment, to be a bridge of communication between peoples of different cultures in a respectful environment that rejects extremism and emphasises on the acceptance of the other.

Perhaps the most telling of such creations may be the Ministry and Minister Of Toilets created in Japan. If one is to list the top three things Japan is famous for, toilets would definitely make the list. The country even has a $60 million museum devoted to toilets. In 2014, Japan’s Minister for Women’s Empowerment, Haruko Arimura, added a title to her name — Minister of Toilets. The title came about due to her belief that improving public toilets was pivotal towards women’s advancement. She stated that “Women are unable to bring themselves to enter filthy toilets in public parks. To enable women who work outside the home to thrive, it’s necessary to improve them.”

In the United States of America, a Board Of Tea Experts was created. For 99 years, the United States government employed a group of people to check the quality of incoming tea by tasting it. The Board was created as part of the Tea Importation Act of 1897. The act was aimed to protect consumers from imported tea. Tea tasters, working in FDA offices around the country, examined every lot of imported tea, using standard teas selected by the board for comparison.

Also in the US, the Office Of Planetary Protection was equally created. This is a part of the US’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. The mission of the department is to promote the responsible exploration of the solar system, avoiding the biological contamination of explored environments and to ensure prudent precautions are taken to protect Earth’s biosphere in case life does exist elsewhere.

So what’s the hue and cry about Robotic and Artificial Intelligence, Training and Doctrine, Climate Change, Aviation and all other ministries, parastatals, agencies, commissions and departments of governments created to meet the needs of the people? Why are we more interested in the titles and nomenclature rather than the deliverables? Really what’s in a name? “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is a popular reference to William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet seems to argue that it does not matter that Romeo is from her family's rival house of Montague, that is, that he is named "Montague".

Nomenclatures and titles must not deter the public from participation as public participation in governance serves to inspire confidence and trust for investors and their businesses.
The public must work at supporting the government at all times rather than dwell on frivolities that serve no purpose. The daily functions of government are performed by the public administrators under different circumstances who organize, implement and oversee the enforcing agencies that administer the laws and regulations that keep public life in motion.

Dr. Joe Edet
Law Teacher and Special Adviser Strategic Policy and Intelligence

Chinese Firm to construct 1500 housing units in Cross River


Cross River State Governor Professor Ben Ayade, Wednesday expressed his administration's unwavering commitment to the provision of social Housing scheme for the people of the state.

Ayade made this assertion during a meeting with a delegation from a Chinese construction firm, Ansteel Group Corporations, Ltd at the Governor's Conference Hall, Governor's office, Calabar.

The Governor who said the decision to embark on mass affordable housing for the middle and low class Citizens in the state was part of his campaign promise made to the people of Cross River State,assuring that quality but affordable housing will be built across the three Senatorial districts.

He commended the Chinese investors for choosing Cross River to invest in housing projects,saying that any investment in Cross River is safe, saying that both parties will benefit from.

Ayade urged the firm to ensure that the proposed housing units conform with the African housing model, putting the people's socio- cultural setting of an Africa society in mind.

The houses are to come in three categories: two, three and four bedroom bungalows.

"Cross River prides herself as the safest state in Nigeria and particularly in the Niger Delta Region and our green and clean environment speaks volumes of what we stand for.

"The housing project you are bringing to the state is part of our promise made to the people. This will be given full political will,” Ayade assures.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Ansteep Construction Group, Mr Yas Jingfeng, said the officials were in the state to present a proposal for the construction of affordable 1500 Housing units for the people of Cross River.
He said the company settled for Cross River State given the conducive environment and the policy of the Government on housing projects.

Our Ref: GO/PRESS/012/VOL.I/ 136 January 15, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

The state Governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade has approved the following appointments:

1. Chief Peter Abang Ojie Snr. Special Adviser – Political Matters

2. Hon. John Eyikwaje Special Adviser – Asset Management

3. Anthony Gabriel Ewa Obi Special Adviser - Assets Recovery

4. Arc. Eric William Akpo Snr. Special Adviser – Technical & Maritime Operations

5. Rt. Hon. Orok Duke Special Adviser - Callywood

6. Rt. Hon. Agbiji Mbeh Agbiji Special Adviser - Power

7. Hon. Mark Obi Special Adviser - SDGs

8. Mrs. Ekama Awara Special Adviser – Women Affairs

9. Barr. Mkpang Obeten Ewa Special Adviser - Environment

10. Barr. Musa Maigoro Special Adviser – Non Indigent Affairs

11. Ntufam Edet Okon Asim Special Adviser – Forestry & Biodiversity

12. Maurice Ekong Special Adviser – Gas Development

13. Barr. Essi Christian Special Adviser – Local Contents

14. Amina Arong Special Adviser – Presidency/NASS

15. Dr. Matthew Okeyim Special Adviser – Diaspora

16. Dr. Mathias Angioha Snr. Special Adviser - Domestic

17. Torita Odey Special Adviser – Events (OWOG)

18. Hon. Edward Etta Ogon Special Adviser – Mortgage Finance

19. LiyelEtorti Special Adviser - Logistics

20. Rev. FR. Eworo Special Adviser – Religious Matters (North)

21. Rev. FR. Malachy Ephraim Special Adviser – Religious Matters (South)

22. Mr. Boniface Ishamali Special Adviser – Petroleum Upstream

23. Eddie Archie Special Adviser – Special duties

24. Ugbong Godwin U. Special Adviser - Constructions

25. Engr. Thomas Aruku Special Adviser –Project Monitoring /Evaluation

26. Dr. Sylvia Atsu Special Adviser – Public Orientations

27. Friday Aruku Odey Special Adviser – Projects (North)

28. Abana Joe Ayade Special Adviser –Rural Transformation

29. Adiga Ifop Adoga Special Adviser – Chieftaincy Affairs

30. Ajah Francis Ajah Special Adviser – Debt Management

31. Eja Dons Esege Special Adviser - Audit

32. Rev. FR. Bob Etta Snr. Special Adviser Religious Matters

33. Prince Augustine Ayuk Special Adviser – Commerce

34. Mrs. Philomena Inyang Special Adviser – Admin (OWOG)

35. Rev. Victor Edet Special Adviser – Int’l Cooperation/Investments

36. Nsa Ekpenyong Special Adviser – Foreign Affairs

37. Prince Fidelis Ita Special Adviser – Community Affairs

38. Augustine Oqua Special Adviser – Religious Matters

39. Manuel Chris Ogar Special Adviser – Internal Revenue Service

40. Mr. Clement Oshaka Special Adviser - Lands

41. Hon. Bette Obi Special Adviser - Afforestation

42. Hon. AbubakarEwa Special Adviser – Social Housing

43. Bong Duke Special Adviser – E-Commerce

44. Prof. Tony Eyang Special Adviser – Culture & Ethics

45. Prof. John Shiyam Special Adviser – Agric Research &Devt.

46. Emily Maduike Special Adviser – Brand Mkt& Network

47. Elder Offiong Eyo Ekpe Special Adviser – Resource Management

48. Prof. Ogogo Augustine Special Adviser – Climate Change

49. Victor Ekpo Special Adviser – Water Board

50. Bassey Uso Special Adviser – Community Relations

51. Mrs. Etta Daniel Takon Special Adviser - Humanities

52. Hon. Ekpenyong Okpo Ojar Special Adviser - TCTC

53. Barr. Agatha-Christie Akpo-Adamade Special Adviser – Inter-Government (Abuja Liaison)

54. Simply Benjamin Ene Special Adviser – Marine Security

55. Martina Azom Ayang Special Adviser - Logistics

56. Eyo-Nsa Etim Eyo Special Adviser – Training & Doctrine

57. Mrs. Lucie Abuh Special Adviser –Performance Evaluation

58. Elizabeth Adede Special Adviser – Job Placement

59. Barr. Comfort Ogbue Special Adviser - Research

60. Dr. DC Enamhe Special Adviser – New Media

61. Hon. Victor Omaga Odo Special Adviser - Works

62. Egbung Odama Egbung Special Adviser – Local Govt. Affairs

63. Mr. Bassey Bassey Nton Special Adviser - Power

64. Dr. David Edem, Ushie Special Adviser - Health

65. Chris Ogaidang Special Adviser - Industry

66. Hon. Peter Okaba Special Adviser – Political (Office of COS)

67. Hon. OkpachuiOrim Special Adviser – Networking (Office of COS)

68. Samuel UtsuAtsu Snr. Special Adviser – Treasury /Audit

69. Prince Godswill Usim Edward Special Adviser – Sports and Cinematography

70. Arc. John EtimBassey Special Adviser – Palm Estates

71. Sir John Odo Director General - CRGIA

72. Ekip I. Ogar Special Adviser – Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

73. Dr. Fidelis Obo Special Adviser - Solid Minerals

74. Barr. Maxwell Egba Special Adviser - Justice

75. Mr. Ubi EkapongOfem Special Adviser -Tourism

76. Mrs. Janet Emma Atep Special Adviser - SUBEB

77. Sunday Michael Special Adviser – Inter-Party- National

78. Evelyn Ogeyi Steve-Ogar Special Adviser – Banking Reconciliation

79. Dr. Emmanuel Duke Special Adviser - Infrastructure

80. Ntufam Joe Ndifon Special Adviser – Culture

81. Barr. Collins OgbajiErim Special Adviser – Public Affairs

82. Ekpe A. Obio Special Adviser - Utilities

83. Victor Felix Edem Special Adviser – Local Governments

84. Boniface Okachie Special Adviser – Urban Renewal

85. Theresa Izama Special Adviser – Rice Projects

86. Ted Inyang Special Adviser – Planning Commission

87. Eyo Ita Okon Special Adviser – Public Affairs
88. Ndem Edet Nyong Special Adviser – Calabar City Beautifications

89. Dr. Joe Edet Special adviser – Strategic Policy

90. High chief Peter F. Higgins Special Adviser – Grants & Empowerment


Signed

Christian Ita
Special Adviser Media & Publicity

Cross River, American firm sign MoU for funding of Bakassi Deep Seaport, Superhighway


Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has stated that the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport will facilitate seamless maritime and shipping activities within the African sub region when completed.

The governor was speaking Monday at the Governor's Conference Room, Governor's Office, Calabar during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and Terradyn Corporation of Ohio, United States of America, for the financing of the port's construction.

Describing the port as a regional African port, and the deepest port in Africa, governor Ayade stressed that the Bakassi Deep Seaport was not only geared towards opening an alternative maritime corridor for Nigeria, which according to him, the country is in dire need of, but also designed to ease shipping and maritime difficulties of neighbouring landlocked African countries.

He disclosed that the Republic of Chad was already disposed to having a bonded warehouse within the princint of the Bakassi Deep Sea port.

The governor said that the 274 kilometre Superhighway linking Cross River to the Northern part of the country was conceived with the Bakassi Deep seaport in mind.

His words: “If you have a Deep Seaport without a Superhighway, you are wasting your time. Nigeria basically needs an alternative maritime corridor. Nigeria is in dire need of an alternative maritime corridor. Every Nigerian who loves this country knows that Nigeria is in desperate need of of an alternative maritime corridor to be able to provide the posterity agenda that we profess to our people.

“Today in Nigeria, we don't have a port in the category of a deep seaport. The Bakassi Deep Seaport is the first Deep Seaport in Nigeria. It is a 20 metres draft port, one of the biggest port in Africa.”
He assured of his administration and federal government's commitment to ensuring that the port comes to fruition.

"It takes at least 15 years to obtain an OBC approval for the construction of a seaport but it took Cross River only three years. This shows strong will and commitment by the federal government to support the Bakassi Deep Seaport.

“The Bakassi Deep Seaport is not a Cross River Port. It is not a Nigerian port. It is indeed a regional African port. It will serve Africa.”

Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terradyn, Mr.Brent Dyke commended governor Ayade's foresight in conceptualizing the port project.

He described Nigeria as " a very very fortunate country blessed with abundant natural resources.”

Plane wey no gree land for calabar for 8days or so because of navigation equipment wey don spoil baba private jet land no time. �

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2DH2fhRgtk

Gov Ayade’s creation of Aviation and Foreign Affairs ministries perfectly in order

By Jake Otu Enya, PhD


The creation of the ministries of Aviation and Foreign Affairs by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State does not offend the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) for the following reasons:

ISSUE NO. 1: Whether or not a State Governor has powers to establish ministries
The answer is in the affirmative as supported by the express provisions of Sec. 192 (1) CFRN 1999 as amended that provides as follows:
“There shall be such offices of Commissioners of the Government of a State as may be established by the Government of the State subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly and same to be spread across the Local Governments of the State – See s.14(4).

ISSUE NO. 2: Whether or not the State Government’s action is Legal?
By the provisions of S.5 (2) (a)(b) of the CFRN 1999 as amended which provides that the executive powers of a State shall be vested in the Governor of the State and may be exercised by him either directly or through the Deputy Governor and Commissioners of the Government of the State; the act of His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade is founded on Law and is legal.


ISSUE No.3: Whether the mere use of the words Aviation and Foreign Affairs amount to an infringement of the Constitution?
The mere use of the words Aviation and Foreign Affairs has not be found to have breached the provisions of Sec. 5 (3) of CFRN 1999 as amended which state thus:
“the Executive powers of a state shall be exercised as not to:
(a) Impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive powers of the Federation.
(b) Endanger any asset or investment of the Government of the Federation.
(c) Endanger the continuance of the Federal Government.

ISSUE NO. 4:​Whether the items listed in the exclusive legislative list enshrined in the second schedule to the 1999 Constitution – particularly item no. 3, Aviation and item 26, External Affairs have anything to do with executive action?
Under the rule of interpretation of Statutes and the Constitution, where the words are unambiguous, precise, plain and clear, the ordinary meaning should be given which involves the application of the literary rule of interpretation of Statutes as was held in the case of Awolowo v. Shagari (1979) 6-10 S. C. 37.
In addition, there is the expressio unius est exclusio alterius rule of interpretation of Statute that states that the express mention of one thing in Statute or the Constitution automatically excludes what was not mentioned. This was held in the case of F. C. Udoh & Ors. v. Orthopaedic Hospital Management Board and Ors(1993) NWLR pt. 304, 139. Therefore using the above two cannons of interpretation of Statutes, the phrases exclusive legislative list is precise and unambiguous, which means that it has expressly excluded executive action.

ISSUE NO. 5: Whether there is any conflict in the functions performed by the Cross River State Ministry of Foreign Affairs vis-à-vis the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A closer look at the functions performed by the two ministries shows there are totally different and not in conflict.
The functions of the Cross River State Ministry of Foreign Affairs include:
a) Logistics and protocol in respect of State Affairs
b) Initiation and conclusion of MoUs with foreign partners
c) Coordination of foreign activities and liaison services for State Government.
d) Engaging in projects and activities that will enhance industrialization drive of the State Government.
Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1. Matters relating to international arm control.
2. Handles bilateral and multilateral treaties.
3. Participates in formulation of policies relating to maritime, land and boundary.
4. Oversee consular work.
5. Handles diplomatic affairs in the UN etc.

ISSUE NO. 6: Whether a State with an existing licence from the Federal Government to operate an Airport can establish Ministry of Aviation.
Since there is an existing operational licence in respect of the running of the Babe Airstrip at the Obudu Ranch Resort, it is legal for the State Government to establish the Ministry of Aviation by saddling it with the following responsibilities:
1. Expanding the run way to accommodate bigger aircrafts
2. Purchasing and managing State Carrier – Cally Air.
3. Construction of the Obudu International Airport.
4. Training and provision of manpower for the development of the Aviation Industry in the State and Federation at large.

OTHER STATES PERFORMING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN THE AVIATION SECTOR
1. Akwa Ibom​​-​Ibom Air and Airport, Uyo
2. Jigawa State​-​Airport at Dutse
3. Delta Airport​-​Warri
4. Ondo​​​-​Akure
5. Imo​​​-​Owerri
6. Bayelsa​​-​Yenagoa

CONCLUSION:
Given the facts above, the establishment of the Ministries of Aviation and Foreign Affairs by the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, has not infringed on the provisions of the CFRN 1999 as amended.

Dr. Enya, a former lawmaker, a law teacher, is currently the Commissioner for Aviation, Cross River State

CROSS RIVER STATE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: A MATTER OF SEMANTICS AND PRAGMATICS





“It always seems impossible until it's done.” – Nelson Mandela



INTRODUCTION:



Senator (Professor ) Ben Ayade has created the Cross River State Ministry of Foreign Affairs and there seems to be diverse and varied personalities and organisations, humorously falling over themselves all of sudden, seething and trying to make Political Capital over this novel development. I find this development quite stimulating too. And I have come to the realisation that the whole tumult must be embedded in the simple Semantics and Pragmatics deliberately and carefully orchestrated to maximize this desirable innovation.



Semantics and Pragmatics can be understood simply as follows; semantics studies the meaning of words and their meaning within sentences whereas the pragmatics studies the same words and meanings but with emphasis on their context as well. Both semantics and pragmatics are two main branches of study in linguistics. Therefore, it is only a malicious, prejudiced, mischievous person that does not appreciate or understand the concept of denotation and connotation of words and meanings, who would seek to perpetrate personal vendetta or bestiality against my state over an innocuous appellation.



Establishing a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Making it public, does not in any way offend any provision in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as Amended). The Exclusivity as provided in the Constitution relates to the making of Laws for the Nation by the Legislature et al and does not relate to the internal operations of a federating unit of the Federation. It is just the coinage that seems to unsettle some people, but there is no reason for them to despair over matters of Semantics and Pragmatics, as the following explanations would shed more light on this topical issue.





HAVING RELATIONSHIP WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES:



It is on record that we (the indigenes of Calabar and environs) have been having relationship with Foreign Countries over the millennia and still enjoy fraternal affiliations with the neighbouring countries of Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Angola and Cameroon, till date. This bond had always been filial and not constrained by political boundaries.



Recently, the Government of Cross River State under Gov. Donald Duke (1999-2003), had established an Economic Desk, under a Special Adviser, Mr. Larry Esin, in New York, USA. Nobody complained or wrote disparaging Articles, because the semantics was appreciated. A Special Adviser of EXCO rank, had a Department (Ministry) that was mandated to advertise, propagate, articulate and promote everything about Cross River State – in a Foreign Country. Semantics again.



Mr Larry Esin was able to coordinate, relate and streamline the activities of Cross River Indigenes in diaspora, prospective Investors and visitors from USA, Taiwan and South Africa, discharged his duties creditably and only left to contest the Governorship of Akwa Ibom state in 2003.



Now fast-forward to the present. We have at least 30 (thirty) ongoing Industrial projects in Cross River State, that involve experts, investors and entrepreneurs from; USA, Japan, Germany, China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Kenya and so on. These projects include: Solar, Cocoa, Rice seedlings, Medical, Roads (including the Super Highway), the Deep Seaport and the Carnival Calabar (that witnessed the participation of 35 countries in 2019).



While the FGN Foreign affairs ministry is established to drive the foreign affairs policy of Nigeria, maintain diplomatic ties and sustain (Government to Government) relations, the CRS Foreign Affairs Ministry deals with the mobilisation of foreign countries to our annual international Carnival, facilitates trade and mobilises investors into Cross River state. Indeed it is strictly a B2B (Business to Business) relationship management.



The state ministry does not engage in legislative or policy issues neither does it engage in government nor diplomatic matters. Does cross river state has foreign affairs to deal with? Yes. Is the state engaging in any legislative, diplomatic or foreign policy activities? No. This new Ministry is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating Business relationship with our partners; our citizens in diaspora and consolidating our Carnival Calabar brand, worldwide. While the Federal Government concentrates on Diplomatic and Government to Government matters, we are just concentrating on building a better Cross River State, within the shortest time possible.



Nigeria needs to be dynamic and innovative. Let us have some fresh air – break down borders and extend frontiers. ‘’Africa kills her prophets’’, Ken Saro-Wiwa had said. The Holy Book tells us that, ‘’Ahab and Jezebel killed all the Prophets, but Elijah survived.’’ And every Maverick tends to face challenges in his life. Therefore, I am not surprised that this old and established practice of ours could be so misconstrued due to semantics. I stand by the concept of the new name; Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Cross River State. When we introduced the State Song and our Flag, we were denigrated, but with time, the storm abated.



With the inimitable role that Cross River State plays in the Gulf of Guinea Commission (The Gulf of Guinea Commission was established by the Treaty signed in Libreville, Gabon, on 3 July 2001 by Angola, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe) and since Officials, Consular staff and Citizens of these countries abound in our state; having a Ministry that caters for these different levels of socio-political and economic interfaces becomes a desideratum – and not perfunctory.



We pray for any future contender to proceed with a challenge to this innovation in a court of Law or maintain the peace. When will the social kinetics of linguistic civilisation permeate our dogmatic, but educated class?





The concept is simple, but Semantics caused the confusion. What else do you expect in a State that is governed by two Professors – Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively. “It always seems impossible until it's done.”





Rt. Hon.(Chief) Orok Otu Duke J.P.

Former Two-Time Deputy Speaker,

4th Term Legislator,

Cross River House of Assembly

Ayade inaugurates minimum wage negotiation team


Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, Friday, inaugurated the state public service negotiating team for the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The inauguration, which took place at the Conference Room of the deputy governor, Governor’s Office, Calabar, was performed by the deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu, who represented the governor.
Ayade expressed the willingness of his administration to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000.
“We are only here to negotiate the consequential adjustments that will affect salaries from Grade levels 7 to 17. In doing that, we carefully selected this team of technocrats and strong labour people not just from the state civil service but from the local government for the negotiations," Ayade remarked.
The governor urged the team to bear in mind the state’s financial reality.
“In carrying out this negotiations, you must ensure that you think about the purse of the state as in the entire South South zone, Cross River is the only state that does not get a penny as extra revenue coming from oil."
He advised the team "not to go ahead and negotiate what will cause us to start owing salaries, or make workers clap for you that you worked so hard and at the end of the day, we are not able to pay or we begin to wait for two or three months in order to put money together to pay one month."
Ayade, who reminded the team of his labour friendly disposition, noted that as a governor who has never derailed from paying salaries as at when due, he decided to include "the commissioner for finance, state Accountant General and the Auditor General into the team to show you our books so that you see exactly what we have and so that you don't negotiate from the air."
The team’s terms of reference include determining the effective date for the implementation of the new minimum wage, determining and recommending any other issue incidental to the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.
The committee is to present its report on or before January 31, 2020.
Speaking on behalf of the team, the chairman of the negotiation team, Dr Chris Ekeng Ita said, "the first job has been made easy by the caliber of people that are meant to negotiate because they are knowledgeable.
“On the union side, they have the capacity and on the government side, we have the capacity to negotiate and amicably come to a conclusion."
Ita, who is also the state’s Head of Service, said there has never been a time that Governor Ayade said he will not be able to pay the new minimum wage.
He said this disposition of the governor gives hope that the assignment given to them will be finished in a very short while.
“I don't think we will take time to come to a conclusion because the main issues of minimum wage has been tackled from levels one to six, the minor issue which we are coming to negotiate should not tear us apart. We will go into it very fast and arrive at a conclusion."
Representing labour in the team are Comrades Julius Nkoyi, John Odey, Francis Bisong, Joe Idiege and Ben Ukpebi. Others are Clarkson Otu, Godwin Ayendi and Eyo Nsa Eyo Itam.
Those representing government are Dr Chris Ekeng Ita, Commissioner for Finance, Special Adviser, Special Adviser, the State Accountant General Joseph Adie and the Auditor General
Others are permanent Secretaries, Innocent Eteng, Emmanuel Eke and Helen Brown Ubom.

Cross River signs multi- billion naira specialist hospital contract with GE


Cross River State governor, Sir Ben Ayade has restated his administration's determination to continue to provide quality healthcare to the people of the state.
Ayade made the pledge at the conference room, Governor's Office, Calabar Wednesday during the contract signing ceremony between the state government and General Electric (GE) for the completion and equipping of a specialist hospital in Obudu Local Government Area of the state.
GE has eight months deadline to deliver on the project.
"The time frame is six months and extendable by a maximum of two months to complete the specialist hospital where a patient does not need to have money to access medical service.
I want to congratulate GE for emerging the team that will build a leisure, seven-star specialist hospital that will be one of the best in Africa," the governor said.
Governor Ayade assured Cross Riverians that he was committed to having them enrolled in the state's health insurance scheme for the purpose of accessing quality health care at minimal or no cost.
"Cross River will be the first state to provide social health Insurance for those who have no income at all. I believe that this is one of the real essence of governance. Ayadecare is real, it will serve you."
Ayade said he was optimistic that the company will live up to its billing and justify why it got the contract, adding that "GE is a brand known worldwide. The GE and Cross River State specialist hospital will be a model of how a specialist hospital should be run when completed."
The governor, however, charged the state Ministry of Health to be on its toes and ensure that the specialist hospital takes off the ground.
According to Ayade, "Setting up the hospital and equipping it is one thing, running it with the right personnel is another. I'm charging the Commissioner for Health, the Permanent Secretary and the ministry to be on their toes."
Earlier, the General Manager, West, Central and French sub-Saharan Africa of GE, Eyong Eboi commended Governor Ayade for his commitment to Healthcare.
He assured the governor that GE will work tirelessly, day and night, to meet the mandate given to the company to deliver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGUvkp7ZS1I

Ayade signs N1.1 trillion 2020 appropriation bill into law


Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade Tuesday signed the the state's 2020 appropriation bill into law.

Ayade commended the state House of Assembly for beating the deadline of passing the appropriation bill before the 31st December 2019.

Christened "Budget of Olimpotic Merismasis", the #1.1trillion budget is geared towards bringing to fruition, the signature projects of the administration, including the 270 kilometre superhighway connecting Cross River with Northern Nigeria.

82 percent of the budget is for capital expenditure while 18 percent is for recurrent expenditure.

According to Ayade: "Cross River is the first state in the history of Nigeria to present a budget of over a trillion Naira.The first time in the history of Nigeria that a state, a sub national has presented a budget in the neigbhourhood of over a trillion Naira.

"There are two types of budgeting. Either you do deficiet budgeting or you do envelope budgeting.

In envelope budgetting, if you look at your medium term expenditure framework, you budget according to your expectation which is an agenda informed by how much you intend to achieve. Nobody has asked how Cross River which gets the lowest allocation in the country and services debt in the neighourhood of #1.8 billion manages to pay teachers, civil servants, pensioners."

Continuing, the governor emphasised that Cross River was able to achieve its objectives "because the deficiency is compromised with intellectual money."

"At any point in time a man's ability is limited by his financial muscle his brain has failed", Professor Ayade said.

According to him, "for us in Cross River, with governor and his deputy as Professors, it will be a thing of shame for us to budget based on our envelope size".

Enumerating the avalanche of industries he has established since assumption of office, the governor assured that the 2020 budget will create jobs for Cross Riverians.

"In the 2020 appropriation bill I have just signed into law, we have developed factories that have matured to a point where you need only operating capital to have them start commercial production. It will be the end of suffering in Cross River.

"Cross River state has 33 industries in four years and you can point at them. So, I want to assure all of you that this budget of N1.1 trillion is something we can achieve, something we can accomplish"

Earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Jones Eteng Williams, while presenting the budget to the governor for signing said the House will vigorously carry out oversight functions on the ministries, saying, " the appropriation bill is like a Bible for us because it's the document we work with. We don't have any other document"

Lol. What's in a name though? If the place works and helps to grow the economy of the State am sure no one will remember who or what it is named after.

Ayade expresses satisfaction as Cross River Roofing Tiles Factory commences test-production

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has expressed satisfaction with the quality of roofing tiles from the newly established state-owned roofing tiles factory in Yala Local Government Area.
Ayade expressed his excitement during a recent visit to the factory which has since commenced test-production.
He said the coming on stream of the factory will drastically reduce the importation of roofing tiles into the country.
According to him, the factory is equipped with the latest technology for the production quality and reliable roofing tiles of different colors.
He said the main reason his administration established the factory was primarily to enhance the social housing policy of his government.
His words: “When I was a senator, my first bill was on social housing. Housing for all should be a right because section 14, sub section 2 of the 1999 Constitution provides that the primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of her citizens.
“You can not talk about welfare without housing. So, housing by extension is a right. As far as you are an indigene of Cross River State, you are entitled to a house, a shelter over your head by the Cross River State Government.
“For me to achieve that, I had to bring a block making factory, a roofing tile factory and of course, floor tiles factory. All these factories are already in place in the northern senatorial district where the Ayade Industrial Park is located.”
The governor said having completed the building of the factories, his government is now to commence the construction of social housing schemes across the state.
According to him, the state will soon witness “a massive construction of social housing schemes to provide houses for the poor as well providing very advanced and sophisticated houses for the rich, using this technology.
“I believe that with this programme, every Cross Riverian will have a roof over his or her head. The creation of the Ministry of Social Housing and Ministry of New Cities was intended to take advantage of this government factory for the full benefit of our people."

Ayade assures Cross Riverians of bumper 2020

In what could be described as his unremitting optimism about ensuring economic prosperity for the state, Cross River governor, Sir Ben Ayade has assured that 2020 will crystallize an industrialized Cross River State.
Ayade in his special New Year message signed by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary and Speech Writer, Mr Linus Obogo, noted that the herald of 2020 will mark the realization of a dream, the crystalization of vision as well as a collateralized future for a prosperous Cross River.
According to the governor, "2020 will mark a radical departure from our chequered past, as Cross River State will be fully industrialized and a proper and real economy will start to flourish."
Stressing his determination to make the state a leading light among the comity of states in Nigeria and indeed Africa, Ayade intoned: "My promise to you is that Cross River State will be the torchlight for Nigeria and indeed Africa starting from the second quarter of this year. So indeed bumper package awaits the people of Cross River State."
While doing a retrospection of the year gone by, Ayade quipped: “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 did not dim but fulfilled and our efforts at building a virile, stable and sustainable Cross River indicated a growth trajectory.”
While thanking Cross Riverians and yet rallying their continued support 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 enjoyed from you. I also urge you to stretch your hands along with me that together, we can embrace a new dawn of greatness which is already upon us."
Ayade who expressed confidence in the giant strides his administration has made in the last four years to reposition the state and decouple it from the federal allocations, said: “As we begin yet another voyage into a New Year, we hope to take advantage of the unique opportunity it offers, to continue on our well charted path to our Promised Land.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeOovzI2Mx0

Ayade, Duke, others Enliven Calabar With Power-Bikes


Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, his predecessor, Donald Duke were among power-Bikers who entertained thousands of Calabar residents Friday during Bikers' Parade.

Among the Bikers were participants from Europe and Asia.

Speaking during the flag off, Professor Ayade, decked in biker's safety apparels,said the essence of the parade was to demonstrate that humanity transcends religion, race, and culture.

Said he: "We are all one-in colour, in design, in economy, in class.That is humanity.That is the essessence.We have come to deepen and spend money in Calabar.We have come to bring economy into it.Before now the carnival was all about entertainment but now we are moving into business.

And that is why we are introducing deeper content that can at least bring the rich and wealthy into Calabar; let them come and enjoy themselves and have humanity at the back of their minds.

Let them remember that the theme and essence of this year's carnival is humanity-love for fellow human being,providing a shoulder for the weak and the vulnerable to lean on and bringing everybody together on a tripod as one people, one culture, one religion which is humanity"

Bikers' Parade is a segment of the yearly Carnival Calabar.Carnival Calabar, an international tourism fiesta, which holds between December 26 and 28 every year, attracts foreign and local visitors to the Cross River state capital.

Displaying nerve-wracking stunts, the Bikers took off from Millennium Park near the U.J Esune Stadium and rode through designated carnival routes, including the popular Eleven Eleven roundabout through Mary Slessor, Marian Road and  Rabana roundabout and then converge at an adjudication point at Marian Road.

The police and other security personnel had a hectic time controlling thousands of awe- struck spectators who lined the streets to catch glimpse of the breathtaking stunts displayed by the Bikers.

Amazing galaxy of vintage cars driven leisurely round the streets added colour to the parade.

The spectacular displays literally enlivened Calabar as virtually all fun spots were filled with gaily dressed guests and participants, including foreigners

Petty traders also made brisk business as items like soft drinks, snacks, bottled and sachet water among others were in high demand.

Why I created Ministries of robotic and artificial intelligence, foreign affairs- Ayade

Recently, Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade spoke live on a private radio station in Calabar during which he shared his thoughts on a number of issues, including the creation of new ministries amongst which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We bring you excerpts of that interview.


Your Excellency , what does Christmas mean to you and how are you celebrating?

Ayade: Christmas is a time for family reunion, it is a time for peace and enjoyment and I use this opportunity to send a strong clear message to the entire residents and citizens of Cross River State that I love you all and I ask that in the spirit and merriment of Christmas, you show the same warmness to your neighbour by providing a shoulder for your weaker neighbour to lean on and that our state be blessed as we enter the year 2020.

Does this mean that 2020 is going to be a year of bumpy package for the state?

Yes. In Cross River, 2020 will mark a classical departure from our history where Cross River State will be fully industrialized and a proper and real economy will start to exist. Cross River State will be the torchlight for Nigeria and indeed Africa starting from the second quarter of that year. So indeed bumper package awaits the people of Cross River State.

You have just Inaugurated your Cabinet with about ten new ministries created, what informed this?

AYADE: Let me begin with a good example of one of the ministries, the Ministry of Aviation. This has never been conceived by any state in Nigeria. Why would a passenger pay over N70,000 to fly to Calabar? The route to Calabar either from Lagos or Abuja is the most expensive in Nigeria. This is occasioned by the fact that there is no corresponding surplus of airlines coming into Calabar. So it is a responsibility of government to respond to the challenge of our people, recognizing that they are being extorted as a result of monopoly. I need to create the ministry of aviation that can bring into realisation Cally Airline, we need to create an airport in Obudu to support the patronage of international tourists coming to Obudu cattle ranch, we need to take advantage of the massive climatic condition suitable for the growth of ornamental plants for export in Obudu cattle ranch. So, if you don't create an independent ministry specifically focused on delivery of proper air traffic and cargo movement, there will be a big problem in your hands.
Take Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for instance. The whole world is moving to Africa. Africa is the last frontier. So we need to have a Ministry that is focused on the globalization perspective, taking a look at each continent, each nation and its direct relationship with Nigeria with a view to taking advantage of it to advance our economy. The Americans have huge resources and they are coming to Africa. China has set aside billions of dollars for Africa. We need an aggressive person who can catch on all of those international resources, we need a ministry focused on all of these international connectivity to distill all of that for the benefit of Cross River State. If you leave it in a big umbrella, it will get scuttled, but once you put a specific specialized ministry, taking it with a direct instruction you are going to get value. If every of the 39 ministries achieve only one thing, I would have at the close of 2020 achieved 39 different projects that I would have delivered. It is a systematic division of labour to allow for specialization. That way you get indicators that you can use for budget monitoring and full evaluation of commissioners. Don’t forget that the appointment of commissioners is for an initial period of one year.

What are your thoughts about the new ministries and what are your expectations from them?

AYADE: The Ministry of Infrastructure has a responsibility to deal with my signature projects. Remember that seaport is infrastructure, superhighway is infrastructure, the dualization of Odukpani to Calabar is infrastructure. So that ministry has the sole problem of doing the connectivity between local governments and also creating a modern evacuation architecture that can support industrialization.
When it comes to issues of patching potholes, doing streets within Calabar, it is the job of the Ministry of Urban Renewal because infrastructure is for the bigger projects but the ministry that deals with urban renewal has the responsibility of keeping the town clean and neat with landscaping and planting of trees and grasses, keeping the lawns clean and putting the irrigation lines and all that.
For new cities, local governments that are not urban centres yet, we have the ministry of new cities development to deal with these. Anyhow you see, I took my time here to explain the difference between each ministry to ensure that there is no point of conflict as each ministry has a distinct role and responsibility as provided by my construction. So, I think that states should watch out because by the close of April next year, the Odukpani- Calabar dualization would have been completed. If you get close to the right hand side of Odukpani roundabout, you will see that there is a massive construction of the spaghetti flyover by a Turkish company, that is ongoing. All of that comes under the ministry of infrastructure. I think that is the one that will give us the kinetics that will allow for the evacuation of all our agro produce from the hinterland to the export zone which is the Ayade industrial park and ultimately into the deep seaport for export. I have a great dream with big ideas of what Cross River should be. Unfortunately, I came in at a time that we were financially challenged as a state with the economy at its lowest with the income from the federal allocations at its lowest ebb. If our people know what we get as a state they will be amazed as to how we are able to even pay salaries of primary schools teachers, civil servants and yet still embark on projects. You never know it all, it is not easy. That is why when I see people criticise which is normal, I sympathize with their innocence because if they had an idea of what we inherited, they will be amazed and call me a super magician which is what my colleagues call me.

You have increased the number of youths and Women as Commissioners in your Cabinet, How would you assess the Performance of the earlier once you appointed?

AYADE: When you look at the new ministry I created, ministry of youths and skill acquisition, it focuses on the youths as well. The whole idea is that 65% of the Cross River population is below the age of 35. The implication is that they have the larger population besides being the leaders of tomorrow. So, expanding and even bringing them into power is another opportunity for them to grow and take over.
While the older people have experience, the younger ones have passion and passion is the most important aspect than intelligent and capacity. Once you have passion, other things will follow. The only place you find real passion is among very young people. When young people who have never had appointments in government are given assignments, the kind of resource they throw upon me, I begin to wonder why they were not given the opportunity earlier.
Look at Finland, young women are ministers, President. They are all below the ages of 40. You see somebody at 32 is a President, so why would Africa abuse such huge energy, confining governance to the old? So indeed, my government is for the youth. I have a youthful mind, I am an old head on a very young shoulders.

Your Excellency why did Create Ministry of Robotic and Artificial Intelligence?

AYADE: The future starts today. Look at the whole world, before now it used to be heavy industries. Perhaps, let me take a little opportunity to educate the audience a little. The first step of industrialization was agro industrialization. The British started agro industrialization in 1876, beginning with agricultural produce and its ultimate beneficiation across the value chain which means you take cocoa and process it into chocolate, you take a product and drive it to the final value chain under agriculture.
The next step was heavy industries, manufacturing, construction, refineries, airports, construction of aircraft. That was the second industrial revolution. The third one is ICT. It is the latest and trending where you have someone like Jackman, just having a platform where a consumer and a producer meet on an artificial platform and make all the billions. You can imagine somebody has a Facebook for social meeting and he does a small advert there and he becomes a rich guy. The world today has moved to the first generation which is artificial intelligence and robotics. In this you are dealing with very sophisticated technology, the future where people will just sit down and take a robot to become a farmer. Difficult things that man cannot produce, robots will take over. You take artificial intelligence, people will begin to produce things that otherwise would have been found too cumbersome. So if you don't go into robotic and artificial intelligence by the time the world is moved, you see a car drive through a tollgate without stopping and yet pays the toll. Those days there was a manual barrier, today artificial intelligence knows the details, so the world has moved.
Young generstions of Cross River who are into software that will partner with Microsoft and work with ministry of Robotic and Artificial intelligence to create a new intellectual platform that will drive the future of Cross River, that is the way to go. Vehicles today drive themselves without any driver, so how is Cross River State preparing herself for that future? That is why Calas Vegas will be driven by artificial intelligence because all the movements will be by robotic technology. That's why I put an engineer in charge, who will work with me and the Microsoft team to actualise our dream.

What are we expecting from you and Your team at this year's Carnival?*

AYADE: Trust me, I will do well and will like to thank your station. You have always been with us. You have been a very strong organ for us. You have helped us to also bring our projects to the fore. Let me also use the platform to educate Cross River that never in the history of the state have we suffered the level of economic challenge that we are going through. Our allocation has never been this low, we are not part of the 13% derivation, we are not part of the stabilization funds, we don't have anything out of NDDC, our land taken, our oil wells taken. There is a massive deduction from federation allocation occasioned by the debt we have actually accumulated. In three months, I don't pay less than N7 billion servicing debts. That kind of pressure on a state can lead us to nothing. God sees my heart. I want you to take example from states who are in the same bar of allocation with us. Primary schools teachers are owed in the last 10 months. People never know until you look at the other side. It always look greener. Just take a look at any other state. If Cross River is number 35 in revenue allocation, that gives you the idea of what I go through. You will wonder why the street lights still work, wonder why refuse is being picked, wonder why all those factories are springing up and it is only when I leave office that the society, Cross River State will appreciate the value that I brought.

What is your Assessment of Security Situation in Cross River State Today especially at the City Center?

AYADE: Take your time and look at statistics from the federal Bureau of statistics, look at the crime dairy of the Nigeria Police, crime rate in Cross River and indeed Calabar is very low. We are not there yet because we still have these occasional issues of kidnapping occurring. The painful thing is that people say why are you not demolishing houses? 100% of kidnappers in Cross River are not from Cross River, they don't live here, they are outside of this state, so you can't track them because they just come in from outside, commit a crime and leave. That is why we are starting massive racking and stop and search. Next year, which is almost from next week, traditional rulers and traditional institutions will be part of our security structure, where if there is an incident in your locality, we take your certificate and take you out of salary. Security is a responsibility of every citizen, the security in a tourist destination should be perfect and absolutely number one.
Today, nobody remembers that when I came into office you couldn't be in Calabar by 6pm. You won't be on the streets because skolombo boys. All that have been taken away until when kidnapping took over Nigeria and when there was too much military presence in the Niger Delta, all of them moved into Cross River State because operation Delta Safe provided security all over Niger Delta except Cross River State because they were after protecting oil lines. That massive movement of people into Cross River led to increase i rate of kidnapping which I focused on and set up 'Operation Skolombo,' alongside different operating forces to focus on homeland security and deal with it squarely. Now, there is progress report.
Once an incident occurs in Cross River, everybody hears it instantly, but I tell you I cannot compare Cross River with any other state in terms of crime rate. We are miles and miles better. We are very open as we speak. I want to assure Cross Riverians that we are on top of our toes. I will know no sleep, I have to know no sleep for you to be able to sleep. Our security men, the commissioner of police, commander, 13 Brigade, other service commanders have just risen from a meeting. All areas and waterways are blocked. There is only one exit out of Calabar and nobody can take anything out. Walk safe and feel free to walk across the entire length and breadth of Calabar and enjoy your Christmas and enjoy Carnival Calabar.

Ayade Swears-in 39 Commissioners, charges them to perform or get fired

By John Adie

Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade yesterday swore in 39 commissioners with a charge on them to perform or get fired.

At the event which held at the State Executive Council Chamber, Governor's office Calabar, the governor explained that he reappointed virtually all the commissioners that served him in his first term in keeping to his promise to return them after the elections.
He also justified the expansion of government.
According to him, "The expansion of government is anchored on my belief that everybody has something to offer in life. The moment you put down somebody, you have put down a great potential. If each Commissioner executes a given mandate, you have 39 projects accomplished," the governor said.
He said every commissioner represents a community in the state.
His words: "Every Commissioner represents a community and that community is represented in government. The more people you bring to the table, the more you reach down the lowest level.
I made a commitment in my first term that every one will return in my second term, as you come to the table you come to a new government. In my first term I made a commitment that everybody was going through a learning curve and I tolerated excesses, failures, inadequacies and short comings.
“I have an internal nature not to raise somebody and at the same time put that person down but such goodwill is often mistaken for weakness but it is actually a higher spiritual level."
In what could be regarded as a riot act, Governor Ayade told the new commissioners that their performance will determine their longevity in the cabinet.
"A Shakespearean theory says that a leader must not only be loved but feared. Once you lose the element of fear, you lose leadership quality. This time, I am going to exhibit that other part. That is why your appointment and swearing-in today will be in the first instant for one year.
“There is a full parastatal for performance monitoring and evaluation. Once I am given your score card and you meet 70 percent, you move on but if you dont, we reshuffle or replace you. In my first term I was tolerant, in my second term I will be intolerant. If you don't deliver, you go. I can assure you that you will not sit on this chamber again," governor Ayade said.
While outlining the duties of the various commissioners, the governor specifically charged the new Commissioner for Transport to revive the moribund Cross River state owned Cross Line mass transit, insisting that it was time to reduce the cost of transportation for the citizens traveling in and outside the state.
The governor who created new ministries including ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Sports and Cinematography commended the state House of Assembly for thorough and speedy screening and confirmation of the commissioners saying, "you did a detailed job of the screening, you demonstrated capacity, you showed competence."