₦airaland Forum

In his inaugural address on May 29, 2015, Professor Ben Ayade was explicit on the tenor of his administration: aggressive industrialization and construction of signature projects that would change the economic narrative and deliver his vision of Cross River of tomorrow where economic prosperity holds way.
This Philosophy underpins his administration's vision for a new Cross River. The Obudu International and Cargo Airport project embodies that vision.
However, as expected, the well thought out Airport project has come under the negative radar of a few in the state who are still stuck in the Cross River of yesterday and see every new and refreshing idea through the prism and template of the old order.
All arguments against the project are puerile, products of warped logic. Peddlers of misinformation are obviously on the loose.

It evidently smacks of mischief to suggest that the Obudu Airport will only be a Cross River affair, that is, its viability will depend on its patronage by the people of the state.
How could some people easily forget that within the locality of the airport is the iconic Obudu Ranch Resort, a tourist facility that attracts visitors far and wide, including foreigners?

An International Airport at Obudu will revitalise the ranch, increase tempo of patronage and ultimately place it on world map as a truly tourists destination as visitors can now fly straight there from any part of the world rather than flying into Calabar first,and then embarking on a tortuous 7-hour drive to the Ranch.

The harrowing road experience vitiates the enthusiasm of fun seeking tourists who find the Obudu Ranch Resort as an ideal place to commune with nature.
They never return after the road trip ordeal and this has been a debilitating and major drawback facing the ranch.

Now, its pedestrian to attempt to wear messiac toga and win cheap popularity by situating the feasibility and viability of the Obudu Airport using the income parameter of Cross River Civil Servants. To do so is to suggest that the primary purpose of the Airport is to willy nilly subject civil servant to its use.

Therefore, it's a misnomer to question where and how Cross River civil servants will garner the financial muscle to purchase flight tickets to use the Airport.There is no where in the world where airports are built solely for civil servants.

Were it so, no Airport in the world, including Nigerian Airports, will be viable. Civil servants in Nigeria constitute less than 1 percent of the entire population of 200 million people, and they are never sole air travelers.

Obudu is located in Northern Cross River and anyone who is conversant with the geography of the zone knows that Obudu and other towns in the area are ringed by Ebonyi in the South east and Benue in the North central. In fact, from Obudu to Makurdi, the Benue state capital is less than an honour drive while many towns in Ebonyi state are walking distances to a plethora of Northern Cross River communities. And so, what does this tell us? The Obudu Airport will open a refreshing new vista to air travel within the North central and South east zones.

With the absence of an Airport in Makurdi, the frontiers of Cross River economy will further burgeon as the Obudu Airport will service air passengers from Benue and other near by North Central states.

In the same vein, Ebonyi indigens whose communities are adjacent Northern Cross River and far removed from the Emene Airport in Enugu, will no longer have any business travelling to Enugu, about two and half hours journey, to board planes.

While arguments have been advanced as to the proprietary of breathing life to the existing Bebi Airstrip to service visitors to the ranch, the topography of the ranch vis avis aviation safety concerns have largely been left unmentioned.

Essentially, the Bebi Airstrip is under utilised not because of lack of interest in the ranch by potential tourists but because of safety concerns.The topography of the ranch is mountainous and difficult and dangerous to be navigated by pilots not specialised in such air routes. And there are few of such specialised pilots in Nigeria.

This therefore, makes the Obudu Airport compelling and desirable.
It is restrictive mentality to insist that a proposed rail line that would straddle Obudu renders the Airport project illogical. The mendacity of this argument is ingrained in the short sightedness of its peddlers. Modern cities boasts of road, rail and air transport infrastructures for economic growth and sound living standard.

So, the Obudu Airport, the 274kilometre super Highway and the federal government's planned rail project covering Obudu sit well with Professor Ayade's economic blueprint for Cross River. The projects fit perfectly into his vision of Cross River of tomorrow.
Focused and visionary leaders world over espouse policies and take hard decisions that initially may be painful, but on the long run, positively shape socio economic and political destinies of the the people. That is what Ayade is doing in Cross River.
The Obudu Airport project, the Super Highway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport and other audacious signature projects of his administratiin define such hard decisions and polices.

Governor Ayade is not saturating Crosss River with life changing socio- economic signature projects and industrializing the state to acquire a fleeting vainglory.
The projects are designed to guarantee the future and long term economic posterity of the state and its today's teeming youth population. There lies the the Cross River of tomorrow philosophy.

I am currently having the most tumultuous relationship of my dating career �. Her levels of suspicion I have never seen, and I blv she is madd selfish too if not we won't have half of d problems we r currently having. Just wish she can stop assuming things and understand that d world does not revolve around her alone.

Ayade's Aide; Mr Joseph Edet (Lashakara) bags 7th Award this year in the area of Economic and Enterprise Development.

Speaking at the just concluded SOUTH SOUTH Zonal Conference of the Nigerian Economics Student Association (NESA),
he reiterated the need for Students to Develop thier Vocational skills as a pathway to Youth Economic Independency!

"Nigerian is the 27th Largest Economy in the World, but yet the 141st poorest, meaning we must collectively work hard to Develop the minds and Skill'set of Young Generations to change the narrative and give us Economic advantage Globally in the coming years!

He mentioned that the Ayade-Led Government will continue to provide adequate Facilities, Seminars, Trainings and Funding opportunites through the CrossRiver Micro-Finance for the Hardworking Youths of CrossRiver State.

Cross River State delegation to Taiwan for the Taiwan - Nigeria Investment summit. H.E Governor Ben Ayade and the Hon commissioner for finance Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr.

Gov Ayade cancels Cocoa allocation 


His Excellency, the governor of Cross River state, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade has directed that the recent allocation of cocoa farms undertaken by the State Cocoa Allocation Committee be cancelled.

A statement in Calabar  by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, quoted Professor Ayade as instructing that the cancellation takes effect immediately.

Exposed: How Ayade paid April and may salary without allocation for April and may

It has emerged that Cross River State Government under the leadership of Governor Ben Ayade spent over N4 billion in payment of April and May salaries to local government workers without federal allocation for the corresponding period
The action was in keeping with the policy of the governor for the state to always stand in the gap to enable local councils meet their obligations, including the payment of salaries.
Official government records show that bailouts given to local governments from the state government between 2013 and no stands at N11.4 billion.
So far, local governments have been able to refund only N1.6billion, leaving a balance of N9.6billion which it owes the state.
The break down is as follow:
Details of State Bail out to LGAs:
Dec 2013 - 500m
Feb 2014 - 250m
April 2014 - 200m
Oct 2014 - 58.8m
Oct 2014 - 198m
July 2015 - 2.1bn
Sept 2015 - 474.5m
Oct 2015 - 45m
Oct 2015 - 2.1bn
Nov 2015 - 2.1bn
May 2016 - 300m
May 2016 - 592.4m
June 2016 - 649.7m
Sept 2016 - 700m
April 2017 - 1.03bn
TOTAL = 11.4bn

Repayments
Jan 2014 - 500m
Nov 2017 - 600m
April 2018 - 500m
TOTAL = 1.6bn

It is clear that without the intervention of Governor Ayade, the 18 councils in the state would have long gone bankrupt and insolvent.
Clearly, the ludicrous claim in the social media about a purported withdrawal of N4 billion from local governments account exist only in the imagination of the writer.
If local governments, which are highly indebted to the state cannot meet their basic obligations including payment of salaries without the intervention of the state government, one wonders how they could have had N4 billion in their accounts fo it to be withdrawn for unknown purposes.
The imaginary withdrawal of N4b from local governments account is wickedness taken too far for a state that just paid salary and pensions for both state and LG less than 2 weeks to election.

Ramadan: Ayade Advises Mulsims To Pray for a Peaceful Nigeria

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has enjoined Muslims in the country to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, sacrifice and love for one another as they join their counterparts the world over to commence the the annual Ramadan fasting.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary/Senior Special Assistant Media,Mr Christian Ita, Ayade said the period of Ramadan is a holy Month when faithfuls fervently commit to prayers.

"This is the period the Muslim Ummah will develop and strengthen their powers of self-control to resist wrongful desires and bad habits, and therefore guard against evil.

"In fasting, by refraining from the natural human urges to satisfy one’s appetite, Muslims are exercising their ability of self-restraint, so that they can then apply it to their everyday life to bring about self-improvement.

"I urge the Muslims to remember that Ramadan is a month of attaining nearness and closeness to Allah to seek for forgiveness and develop Taqwa.

"As Muslims all over the world bear the rigours of fasting purely for the sake of following a divine commandment, knowing and feeling that He can see all our actions however secret, I urge you to intensify in the consciousness of God in your hearts, resulting in a higher spiritual experience.I have no doubt that this period will be used to pray for peace and love, Unity and togetherness as well as a secured Nigeria".

The Governor reminded Muslims, particularly in Cross River to use the occasion to freely give, show Care and Compassion to their neighbors for expected bounty reward in the blessed Month.

Job Creation: The Ayade Example as a National Template


By Hon.Martin Orim


Four years in the life of a state means a lot.Eight years means much more.By 2023, Professor Ben Ayade would have steered the ship of Cross River for eight eventful years.Those eight years would be Cross River's finest years.Eight years of Govenor Ayade's supridentence of our dear state would stand out in its life as the noblest, in the annals of its history.

When his tour of duty ends in 2023,among elegant others,  job creation will be one of the soul-lifting legacies professor Ayade will be bequeathing on Cross River.In just four years, he has established over 13 brand new industries in a state that infamously endured the lurid sobriquet of "civil servant state", an unsettling euphemism for a consuming rather than a producing state.

Focused and visionary leaders world over espouse policies and take hard decisions,that, initially may be painful, but on the long run positively shape socio econonic and political destinies of the the people.That is what Ayade is doing in Cross River.The Super Highway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport and other audacious signature projects of his administration as well as the new industries that saturate all cranies of the state define such hard decision and polices, and of course, are catalysts for the taming of the  monsterous youth unemployment.

Here in Cross River, we are blessed with a governor who is thinking outside the box, who have ideas as to what to do to pull his state from economic doldrums.This explains why

four years ago,Professor Ayade, upon assumption of office was clear as to where he was headed.He knew the tenor of his government hence he  talked  passionately about Cross of tomorow which entails re-inventing the state for the future of its teeming  youth population.As a leader with fecundity of ideas and imbued with amazing energy, he hit the ground running immediately after taking the oath of office and in no  time aggressive industrialization and execution of infrastructural projects that make the difference became synonymous with Cross River.

By the time all the life- changing industrial and infrastructural projects of the administration fully come on stream, formal and ancillary jobs will be readily available for our burgeoning  graduate population.For example, the multi- billion Naira ultra modern Cross River Live stock and Poultry Farm limited is certain to broaden the agro-economy of the state by opening great economic opportunities to downstream players in the poultry sector-soybeans, maize suppliers for feeds, egg distributors, day old chicks distributors among others.

The ultra modern Rice seeds and seedling factory in Calabar and the world class rice mill in Ogoja, the Ultra modern cocoa processing plant in Ikom among several other Ayade-inspired industries will also be providing millions of direct and indirect jobs for Cross Riverians.Already, the Calabar Garment factory, also built by this administration, and employing over 3,000 workers, especially women and widows, have been rolling out its products.The products are of international standard and are competing well in the market.

No doubt, the scourge of unemployment is a national problem.However, with the Ayade template in terms of tackling it with  industrialization and economic oriented infrastructures , the scourge would have been greatly reduced by 2023 when the governor will be completing his two terms.In other words, it's a template in dire of copying.

It is however,my opinion that Cross River youths, especially graduates among them, should also aspire to be wealth creators and entrepreneurs.Yes, as an undergraduate, overcoming the vagaries of life; brushing aside vicistuitdes and obfuscations to acquire a university degree is a no mean feat but daring to be different by not waiting for a white collar job to fall on your laps makes the huge difference. I therefore, urge that young graduates should channel their thoughts and energies towards entrepreneurship,irrespective of field of study because immediately one entrusts the responsibility for wealth creation to somebody else, he/ she have lost the power to make money. If you don’t stand up and be counted in this regard, you will only lie down and be counted out, waiting for tailor-made jobs that are far spread.

The inspiring words of Mike Murdock and John Mason should serve as guiding light in the  resolve to stand up and be counted. According Murdock “You have no right to anything you have not pursued for the proof of desire is in the pursuit”. And Mason counsels: “The door of opportunity won’t open unless you push”
With burgeoning unemployment rate in the country, it is my unshakeable conviction that the salvation of Nigerian graduates and indeed antidote to unemployment lie in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. And this should be incorporated in course outlines and school curriculum and made mandatory for all undergraduates irrespective of their discipline.
Governments at all levels can also support with funding schemes, tax policies through micro enterprises and the supply of needed infrastructures, business information and advices.Luckily, in Cross River, Microfinance credit scheme exists for entrepreneurs.In addition, government has also abolish cut throat taxes that harm small business.
In addition to making skill acquisition and entrepreneurship compulsory courses in our ivory towers, entrepreneurship training should be part of programmes of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  to make the fresh graduate self-employed after a year mandatory programme to serve their father land. The National Universities Commission (NUC) should mandate all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria to create Entrepreneurship development centres
Unless this is done and implemented religiously, Nigeria will be sitting on a time bomb with restive unemployed but educated youths roaming the streets.
According to available records,unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 23.10 percent in the third quarter of 2018 from 22.70 percent in the second quarter of 2018. It averaged 12.31 percent from 2006 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 23.10 percent in the third quarter of 2018.
This grim statics should be of concern to governments at all levels.However, as I earlier stated, in line with its policy of Cross River of the tomorrow , the state government under the visionary and focused  leadership of Professor  Ayade has set out to re-write the economic history of the state and change the narratives by turning the state into an industrial and economic hub aimed at creating jobs for the teaming Youth population .
The 274 kilometre Super Highway linking Cross River with the Northern parts of the country and the Bakassi Deep Seaport which also brings the Atlantic occean closer to Northern Nigeria have been described by experts and industry watchers as two magnificent projects that can create thousands of self sustaining, self managed, profit oriented  ancillary businesses and direct employments.This deserves cheers
Hon.Orim is the Chief of Staff to Cross River state Governor.

Job Creation: The Ayade Example as a National Template


By Hon.Martin Orim


Four years in the life of a state means a lot.Eight years means much more.By 2023, Professor Ben Ayade would have steered the ship of Cross River for eight eventful years.Those eight years would be Cross River's finest years.Eight years of Govenor Ayade's supridentence of our dear state would stand out in its life as the noblest, in the annals of its history.

When his tour of duty ends in 2023,among elegant others,  job creation will be one of the soul-lifting legacies professor Ayade will be bequeathing on Cross River.In just four years, he has established over 13 brand new industries in a state that infamously endured the lurid sobriquet of "civil servant state", an unsettling euphemism for a consuming rather than a producing state.

Focused and visionary leaders world over espouse policies and take hard decisions,that, initially may be painful, but on the long run positively shape socio econonic and political destinies of the the people.That is what Ayade is doing in Cross River.The Super Highway, the Bakassi Deep Seaport and other audacious signature projects of his administration as well as the new industries that saturate all cranies of the state define such hard decision and polices, and of course, are catalysts for the taming of the  monsterous youth unemployment.

Here in Cross River, we are blessed with a governor who is thinking outside the box, who have ideas as to what to do to pull his state from economic doldrums.This explains why

four years ago,Professor Ayade, upon assumption of office was clear as to where he was headed.He knew the tenor of his government hence he  talked  passionately about Cross of tomorow which entails re-inventing the state for the future of its teeming  youth population.As a leader with fecundity of ideas and imbued with amazing energy, he hit the ground running immediately after taking the oath of office and in no  time aggressive industrialization and execution of infrastructural projects that make the difference became synonymous with Cross River.

By the time all the life- changing industrial and infrastructural projects of the administration fully come on stream, formal and ancillary jobs will be readily available for our burgeoning  graduate population.For example, the multi- billion Naira ultra modern Cross River Live stock and Poultry Farm limited is certain to broaden the agro-economy of the state by opening great economic opportunities to downstream players in the poultry sector-soybeans, maize suppliers for feeds, egg distributors, day old chicks distributors among others.

The ultra modern Rice seeds and seedling factory in Calabar and the world class rice mill in Ogoja, the Ultra modern cocoa processing plant in Ikom among several other Ayade-inspired industries will also be providing millions of direct and indirect jobs for Cross Riverians.Already, the Calabar Garment factory, also built by this administration, and employing over 3,000 workers, especially women and widows, have been rolling out its products.The products are of international standard and are competing well in the market.

No doubt, the scourge of unemployment is a national problem.However, with the Ayade template in terms of tackling it with  industrialization and economic oriented infrastructures , the scourge would have been greatly reduced by 2023 when the governor will be completing his two terms.In other words, it's a template in dire of copying.

It is however,my opinion that Cross River youths, especially graduates among them, should also aspire to be wealth creators and entrepreneurs.Yes, as an undergraduate, overcoming the vagaries of life; brushing aside vicistuitdes and obfuscations to acquire a university degree is a no mean feat but daring to be different by not waiting for a white collar job to fall on your laps makes the huge difference. I therefore, urge that young graduates should channel their thoughts and energies towards entrepreneurship,irrespective of field of study because immediately one entrusts the responsibility for wealth creation to somebody else, he/ she have lost the power to make money. If you don’t stand up and be counted in this regard, you will only lie down and be counted out, waiting for tailor-made jobs that are far spread.

The inspiring words of Mike Murdock and John Mason should serve as guiding light in the  resolve to stand up and be counted. According Murdock “You have no right to anything you have not pursued for the proof of desire is in the pursuit”. And Mason counsels: “The door of opportunity won’t open unless you push”
With burgeoning unemployment rate in the country, it is my unshakeable conviction that the salvation of Nigerian graduates and indeed antidote to unemployment lie in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. And this should be incorporated in course outlines and school curriculum and made mandatory for all undergraduates irrespective of their discipline.
Governments at all levels can also support with funding schemes, tax policies through micro enterprises and the supply of needed infrastructures, business information and advices.Luckily, in Cross River, Microfinance credit scheme exists for entrepreneurs.In addition, government has also abolish cut throat taxes that harm small business.
In addition to making skill acquisition and entrepreneurship compulsory courses in our ivory towers, entrepreneurship training should be part of programmes of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)  to make the fresh graduate self-employed after a year mandatory programme to serve their father land. The National Universities Commission (NUC) should mandate all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria to create Entrepreneurship development centres
Unless this is done and implemented religiously, Nigeria will be sitting on a time bomb with restive unemployed but educated youths roaming the streets.
According to available records,unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 23.10 percent in the third quarter of 2018 from 22.70 percent in the second quarter of 2018. It averaged 12.31 percent from 2006 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 23.10 percent in the third quarter of 2018.
This grim statics should be of concern to governments at all levels.However, as I earlier stated, in line with its policy of Cross River of the tomorrow , the state government under the visionary and focused  leadership of Professor  Ayade has set out to re-write the economic history of the state and change the narratives by turning the state into an industrial and economic hub aimed at creating jobs for the teaming Youth population .
The 274 kilometre Super Highway linking Cross River with the Northern parts of the country and the Bakassi Deep Seaport which also brings the Atlantic occean closer to Northern Nigeria have been described by experts and industry watchers as two magnificent projects that can create thousands of self sustaining, self managed, profit oriented  ancillary businesses and direct employments.This deserves cheers
Hon.Orim is the Chief of Staff to Cross River state Governor.

Slovak firm to set up electric car, energy bulb plants in C/River


In readiness for when Nigeria will embrace the use of electric cars, Cross River Government is aligning with a Slovak firm, Sirieco, with a view to establishing electric car assembling plant in the state.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sirieco Company Limited, Mr. Groidis Peter disclosed this when he led his team on an inspection tour of Ayade Industrial Park, in Calabar.
As well as the electric car plant, the the Slovakian firm will also set up a factory for the manufacture of the latest and long lasting energy bulb in the state.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after a visit to the Ayade Industrial Park, he said “after a useful deliberation with the governor and tour of some of the projects here in this industrial park, I am glad to announce to you, gentlemen, that we will love to build a strong working relationship with the Cross River State government which will culminate in the building of a hub that will be second to none in Africa.”
According to Peter, “We are starting with Eco-Cars; electric cars and we hope to set up the car assembling plant here in this park. We are also building a factory for the manufacturing of long lasting street lambs.”
Reacting to the development, Governor Ayade said: “The Ayade Industrial park has 42 plots of land ready for any serious investor who is willing to create jobs for at least 50 Cross Riverian from its investment outlay.
“We are offering free land, tax exemption and providing the necessary utility support services including free Wi-Fi.”
Ayade who expressed his excitement at the visit of the business team further stated that “the team we just received has expressed its readiness with the speed of light to commence the installation of an electric car assembling plant and in addition, set up a modern street light bulb manufacturing plant with minimum of 18watt and above for our streets using the latest technology that has a better temperature control system and 22 years life span solar systems.”
Offering more insights on the new technology, the governor explained: “The new solar bulb will not suffer the deposition burden that characterizes the existing technology we currently have and that it will have no attenuation of its lighting on the basis of long use occasioned by high temperature in Nigeria.
“So, all the limitations of the existing systems using solar energy have been addressed by this latest technology which is why we are excited that this is coming at this time when we are still battling to fix the energy needs of the state.”
Justifying the tour of the Industrial park, Ayade informed: “We brought them here to make a choice of a location because we are giving them free land and also guaranteeing them 3 years tax exemption. We also guarantee them that once the production line is up and running, we will purchase at least 10,000 lamb per anum which I think is enough to catalyze and energise them to commence work on site as soon as possible.
“We have also offered to build on order, their factory plant at no cost to them as an incentive to ensure that they settle in properly. Once we achieve this, young Cross Riverians will gradually start having the anticipated technology transfer."
On being the first state where electric car will be assembled, Ayade said: “I’m the only digital governor in Nigeria so, it is expected. We are working ahead of time. Four years is like four days so, that is why everyday I am on the road to ensure that by the time I leave office after eight years, I should turn back and reflect and say wow! And consistent with my history, I have never failed and won’t fail this time. So, in less than six months construction will start.”

False narratives about funding of Cross River superhighway is effort in futility

Reading the diatribe written by a certain Elias Ozikpu against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River and the content of his vituperation, it was not difficult to discern this was yet again another recruit and parasite engaged by the forest scavenger and a self-appointed environmentalist, Odey Oyama to boost his already thinning clan of anti Ayade and his vision for Cross River State.
In yet another trite and tame effort to join issues over the funding of the six-lane 275km superhighway project, one thing stood out starkly and confirmed the obvious: a treacherous attempt at distortion, a brazen cannibalization of fact as well as a tragic and shameless romanticization with fiction. Aside the farrago of illogicalities patently seasoned in his rant, Ozikpu, in seeking to discredit the superhighway project, embarked on rewriting history by vending falsehood with a clear aim to misinform and incite.
Unfortunately for the hack writer, Cross River under Governor Ayade is one of the best run states in the country.
It is common knowledge that the state receives the second least allocation from the federation account.
In spite of this ugly reality, Ayade has in the last four years embarked on aggressive industrialization of the state with a view to creating job opportunities for the people.
As at the last count, Ayade has built 15 industries; including the ultra-modern cocoa factory in Ikom, the state-of-art rice mill in Ogoja, the Cross River Garment Factory in Calabar, the Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory, commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in Calabar and the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company (CALAPHARM), the first and only pharmaceutical company in the South-South.
Work is ongoing in the Calabar Chicken Processing Factory, Calachika. With equipment already on ground, it will have the capacity to handle six thousand birds per hour. There is also the Noodles Factory in Calabar, Bio-fertilizer plant, the Paradise Toothpick Factory, Yakuur amongst others.
To address the challenges of power, Ayade has built a 23 megawatt power plant in Calabar. It is awaiting approvals from the federal authorities for power to be evacuated to homes.
The poor revenue allocation to the state notwithstanding, Cross River has emerged number in the payment of salaries and pensions under Ayade.
To boast manpower requirements of the state, and provide food on the table for many families, Ayade gave appointments to over 8000 across Riverians, employed 2000 teachers, 1000 thousand nurses and lifted the over two-decade embargo on employment into the state civil service.
Cross River, whose people were amongst the earliest to have contact with western education, has consistently ranked amongst the most literate states in the country. The Ayade administration has not just maintained the standard, has actually taken it a notch higher.
For the avoidance of doubt, UNESCO in its 2018 literacy ranking of states in Nigeria, attributed 62.3 per cent literacy rate to Cross River. Only four states were ranked higher than Cross River.
In another data released by databod for the same year, Cross River had 89 per cent literacy rate.
Also last year, the Federal Ministry of Education ranked Cross River as the fifth most improved state in education.
In four years of the Ayade-led administration, Cross River has twice emerged the second best state in National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.
To further raise the bar, the administration is building a Continuous Teachers Training College in Biase and the ultra-modern British-Canadian Model School in Obudu, in addition to the complete rehabilitation of about 300 schools.
As for healthcare, Cross River has been adjudged the best performing state in health in South-South and one of six in the country by the United Nations and the Federal Government. The award was presented to the state by the Vice President, Professor Yomi Osinbajo last year at the Thisday Summit on Health in Abuja.
It may interest Ozikpu and his pay masters to note that Cross River has the highest child survival rate in the country even as it was perhaps the first state to implement a health insurance scheme that guarantees universal health coverage for all, including non-income earners.
The administration is also building three specialists hospitals, one in each Senatorial district of the state.
On the state of roads, it is a pity that a man who goes by several appellations that ought to suggest intellectual fecundity could not engage in any form of intellectual rigor like research to avail himself of facts.
Apart from the superhighway project, the Ayade-led administration is handling other equally ambitious road projects like the 143km dual carriage mfom-Obudu-obanliku road, which cuts across the five local government areas of Cross River North. Asphalting of the road is at an advanced stage.
The administration has also increased the tempo of work on the expansion and dualisation of the 16km Calabar-Odukpani Junction highway with a spaghetti-shaped flyover to decongest the perennial traffic on the road and beautify the approach to Calabar.
In Calabar metropolis, most of the major roads have been given a facelift with a complete asphalt overlay by the Ayade-led administration.
Some of these roads include Mary Slessor, Marian, IBB and Murtala Mohammed Highway.
Clearly, Ozikpu was writing from the outer space and his piece was at best a poor attempt at fiction writing, a hatchet job to an appalling salesman to demarket the governor and the state. But yet again, like others it fell through.

Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayade

Odey Oyama, you no longer can blackmail Cross River Superhighway for a living

The attention of the Cross River state government has been drawn to a publication by BudgIT, ostensibly instigated and sponsored by a serial blackmailer, Odey Oyama.


Apart from being a blackmailer, Oyama is also a hustler and scammer. A man with no visible and verifiable means of livelihood other than prancing media houses as self appointed watch dog of Cross River rainforest.

Oyama has no qualms standing truth and logic on their heads provided such action earns him lurid monetary gains. At the last count, Oyama has held well over 50 press conferences, summits on the superhighway, with full expenses borne by his foreign paymasters.


Oyama also shamelessly engages in other survival strategies like sponsoring protests in the forest communities. This usually pays off through settlement with the communities by the state government with the self-anointed conservationist as the middle man in the settlement.


Oyama has for four years running turned the Cross River State superhighway project into his "oil bloc", spewing falsehood, raising false alarms and in the process mindlessly scamming unsuspecting foreign NGOs of millions of Naira.


Having failed to halt the project using dubious environmental concerns, Oyama has changed tactics.


He is now spewing new lies about the Project by throwing mud at the governor and seeking to paint the picture of lack of transparency.


Let it be known that every standard due process was observed in the award of the contract.


For the records, the project was advertised in the Cross River State Tenders Journal, The Nation and Vanguard Newspapers of Thursday March 22, 2018; Nigerian Chronicle of Wednesday March 21 to Tuesday March 27, 2018.

There was also the board resolution for the expression of interest to bid and engagement of contractors on January 5, 2018.

Funding for the project was also included in the 2018 state budget and captured in the Cross River State Chart of Account 2018 on Page 827 Additionally, the state executive council met and approved the project on May 30, 2018.

To ensure a transparent bidding process, critical stakeholders like civil society and non-governmental organizations and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were invited to be a part of the process.

It is imperative to mention that big players in the construction industry like Setraco, Julius Berger and China Railway Engineering were part of the process.


The contract was however, awarded to the firm with the lowest responsible bid.
So in terms of value for money, nowhere else in the world will the contract cost for a six lane, 274km superhighway, be lower than the cost for the Cross River superhighway.

It should be clear to Oyama that his tricks are now old and therefore, easy to see through them. It is time therefore, for him to look for a decent means of livelihood as the days of blackmail for patronage are over.

Signed
Cross River State Ministry of Information

Despite lean federal allocation and massive wage bill, Governor Ben Ayade still turning Cross River into a construction site. Photos of Yala/ Obanliku and the Tinapa- Odukpani junction dualization currently ongoing. #Ayadeisworking

Easter: Ayade sues for peace, compassion



As Christians across the country celebrate the death and resurrection of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has called on all faithful to imbibe the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and forgiveness which he said represent the core values of Easter.
Ayade who made the call in his Easter message, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: “Today represents a very significant moment in our lives as Christians. It is both significant and sobering in the sense that it reminds us all about the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ's teachings while on earth."
Decrying the absence of compassion in today's society, Governor Ayade quipped: "In many ways, our society today lacks compassion as a way to internalize and experience the inner soul of the other person and the universe. We need to reintroduce compassion so that humanity may survive."
According to the Governor, "In line with the compassion which Christ demonstrated by laying down his life for us, we should, therefore, replicate this to all men and continue to sustain it in the years to come."
While urging for constant prayers for peace to reign over Cross River and indeed, Nigeria, Ayade noted: “We must not forget that the peace we are enjoying today in the state is due, largely, to the prayers and support of all of you, and I urge you, in this season of Easter to continue in this momentum by upholding the values that seek to unite us rather than those that pull us apart.”

Ayade to reduce size of cabinet, directs commissioners, others to prepare handover notes

Ahead of his second term inauguration on May 29, Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has disclosed that he will reduce the size of his cabinet in order to ensure better service delivery.
This is even as the Governor, in a statement released in Calabar on Thursday, directed all his commissioners and other appointees of government to prepare their handover notes and forward same to him on or before next week Friday, April 26, 2019.
The statement, which was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor and Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Christian Ita, said the governor intends to reduce the size of his cabinet considerably.
“His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade will run a smaller and tighter cabinet in his second term in office in order to engender a more focused administration for better service delivery,” the statement read in parts.

Ayade commences construction of multi-billion naira poultry/livestock farm


In a bid to complement the multi-billion naira frozen chicken processing factory, Calachika, Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has commenced the construction of what arguably would be the biggest poultry and livestock farm.
When completed, the factory is projected to process about 6,000 frozen chicken per hour.
Located along the Calabar/Odukpani Road in Odukpani Local Government Area, the poultry and livestock farm is conceived to be the biggest of its kind in the South South with the production capacity of 22 thousand birds per hour.
It is expected to roll out its first birds by the end of the second quarter of 2019.
Briefing news men at the site during his unscheduled visit recently, the state Governor Ayade disclosed details of the project: “We have six broiler houses, layers and of course the hatchery. So, we would be producing 22 thousand birds per broiler house with massive production of eggs. My ambition is to commission it before 29th May 2019 as part of my second term project.”
According to Ayade, “Already, we have a team of engineers from China and Spain where we purchased the equipment from. They are on ground to perform the installations here on site once the civil works is completed.”
Ayade who described the poultry farm as the most sophisticated in terms of equipment and production line in Africa, further stated: “In the whole of South-South Nigeria, there is no commercial, massive and industrial scale poultry business, yet protein is the core most important part of hospitality industry.”
Offering more insights on the value chain of the projects, the governor explained: “Indeed, you have three major downstream benefits from this business; eggs in abundance, day old chicks and frozen chickens and that is what we are doing to industrialize the state.
"All the small poultry farmers in Cross River State and its environ can now start buying their day old chicks from our facility instead of going far west as the case is currently.”
Continuing, he said: “We also have a slaughter house at the Ayade Industrial park where we are going to slaughter six thousand birds per hour for export.
“That is why it is located close to the Bakassi Deep seaport. So, as we produce, we blast fridge and then take them to the cool room before exporting them as fresh chickens from natural yellow maize and soya beans.”
As a proactive measure to sustain the poultry farm, Ayade further disclosed that the state has started massive cultivation of soya beans and yellow maize in the northern part of the state to add as our feed inputs.
He urged the citizenry to start cultivation of yellow maize and soya beans as the factory will be requiring them in large quantity to meet up its daily productions capacity as what the state currently cultivates will not be enough.
Justifying his call for more people to venture into farming Ayade stated that “In my first term, I did food on the table, expanding government even if you are not working just to put food on the table but in the second term, it is going to be food on the table, hands on the plough.”
So, everybody must work. Anybody that gets an appointment, as I gave a commitment that every agent that delivers his polling unit will get a job, so all of them will get a job and will definitely work.
“Now appointment will be based on your area of core competence were you can bring value to the appointment.”
On how the state intends to run all the industrial clusters established by his administration, Ayade explained that “We want to produce agripreneurs; businessmen in the agriculture industry who will be exporting frozen chickens from here. I am not going to be the exporter. Cross River State can’t even run all of these. I am just a dreamer, manifesting the dreams.
“Cross River State from its financial derivatives does not have the capacity to deliver these kind of sophisticated industries but I am being driven by intellectual money to prove that professors and indeed, intellectuals have a greater opportunity to play in politics. explained.
"So, let Ayade be a reflection of a classical exposure of a man who have good education and sound background on business perspective."
On what his driving force is, Governor Ayade said: “What is driving me is far beyond politics and that is why you are seeing that my zeal, kinetics, determination has not change but burning even more now.
“Of course, the people of Cross River State have demonstrated their acceptability of my administration as can be attested to in the landslide victory. I won every single polling units across the state and all I owe them is to give them the very last fiber to ensure that every single word I gave is honoured,” he added.

I'll make Cross River first open defecation free state in Nigeria -Ayade

Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, Tuesday, reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, just as he also made a commitment to ensuring that the state becomes the first state in Nigeria to attain the Open Defecation Free status.
Governor Ayade made the commitment at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Calabar, when he received in audience, a delegation of funding agencies led by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Dr Ibrahim Khalil Conteh.
Cross River is already the leading state in sub-sharan Africa in the elimination of open defecation, with five of its local government areas having been declared Open Defecation Free by the United Nations.
Ayade who enumerated the benefits of portable water, sanitation and hygiene in Africa, said: "We gave a commitment on a global stage "Mandela 100", where Cross River State made a commitment that we will provide the sum of three million dollars annually for the next five years, in support of the WASH ( Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene) programme. That commitment was audacious, it was driven by a very strong philosophy because we know the relevance of water. Water is life, and therefore if you can fix water you have fixed life. If you fix water you have fixed health, if you fix health you have fixed productivity, if you fix productivity you have fixed the economy. And I'm making again another good commitment that we will be the first state in Nigeria that will have 100 percent Open Defecation Free status. It's a commitment that I am giving now, and I will uphold it with every fibre of my being."
Ayade further stressed that "In making this commitment, I am conscious of the financial implication. It is against that arrogance of faith that we have signed and have made available the sum of 500 million naira and also, a sum of 200 million naira was set aside for RUWASA as a commitment to the WASH programme. So, approximately two million dollars out of three million dollars has been committed in line with our declaration."
While commending UNICEF for the various successes achieved so far in the area of water sanitation, Governor Ayade further disclosed that eighty percent of diseases in Africa are water related.
"Let me thank you for all the various successes you have achieved in this water, sanitation and hygiene sector. 80 percent of diseases in Africa are water related. Of these diseases, the greatest and the most implicated source of disease are as a result of indiscriminate defecation in and around the neighbourhood. This is accelerated whenever there is a massive rainfall which leads to erosion, taking all of these faeces to the nearby water source. Sadly, the African institution is so bad that at the head stream is a source of defecation and at the down stream is a source of drinking water. This is the characteristic story of most of the African settlements. And therefore, the choice of UNICEF, World Bank and all the funding agencies focusing on water and sanitation is a critical issue in Africa, it is upright, it is obvious, it is necessary, it is a life saving notion."
The governor who urged the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, not to wind up its operations however, appealed for an extension to ensure that every local government area in the state benefits from the programme and attains the Open Defecation Free status.
Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Dr Ibrahim Khalil Conteh, congratulated the state for attaining Open Defecation Free status in five of its 18 local government areas.
He said the state was a model for the programme, emphasizing that Cross River was on the path to becoming the first state in sub-Saharan Africa to have all its local government areas declared Open Defecation Free.
He therefore, requested the state government's support in sustaining the feats that have been achieved so far.
"You may be aware that UNICEF has been working with the EU on water and sanitation sector reform programme which started way back in 2006. Since then, there has been a global outcry on the supply of water, but Nigeria has stood out strongly. As we are going to be wrapping up this sector reform programme, we believe that we still have a lot of opportunity to continue supporting the programme, because the gaps are still there in a lot of communities."
According to the UNICEF representative, "On the reform programme, we believe we have to join hands together in making a framework so that the gains we have already made will continue bearing fruits."
Other representative of funding agencies on the courtesy call on Ayade included members of the United Purpose, a non governmental agency responsible for advocacy on Open Defecation Free status.

Chinese truck maker, Foton to establish assembly plant in Cross River

Chinese truck maker, Foton, is set to establish a vehicle assembly plant in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
This was made known by the Group Chairman, MSM Group, Muizam Mairawani and representatives of Foton International during a meeting with the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade and some industrialists in Government House, Calabar.
Mairawani said the assembly plant will create about ten thousand jobs in the state.
He said their choice of Calabar was due to the favorable investment report on the state, which is at their disposal as well as the Industrialization strides of Governor Ayade.
"Last year when we met with the Commissioner for Petroleum, he briefed us on the good works the governor was doing in the state, and that gave us the courage to divert our attention to Cross River with regards to building an assembly plant and a ship yard."
He expressed appreciation to Governor Ayade for the good reception accorded them, which according to him, has boosted their confidence in their decision to build the plant in the state.
“The assembly plant is expected to create more than 10000 jobs,” he said.
Responding, Governor Ayade thanked the delegation for choosing to locate the plant in the state.
While announcing that the state will buy 200 trucks from the Chinese auto maker as a demonstration of good faith and in fulfillment of the minimum requirement for the citing of the plant in the state, he spoke on the viability of setting up the plant in the state.
He said apart from being the sole supplier of quarry aggregates to the South-South region, the state also boasts of being home to the largest cement factory in the country.
Aside these, the state also hosts the biggest oil tank farms in the country.
He said the state is also industrializing with most of the industries requiring trucks to move raw materials and products
All of these sectors, depend heavily on trucks to move their products, he disclosed.
“We have a monopoly to the extent that it is only in Cross River you can get granite, you can get quarry aggregates in the whole of southern part of the South South. So Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa states will all depend solely on Cross River for aggregates. In effect, if Foton trucks has a special presence in Cross River, it will cause all the users and those in the business of supplying granites to buy Foton trucks particularly when the assembly plant is here," the governor stated.

Governor Ayade Speaks on the progress of work at the ongoing Tinapa/Odukpani junction dualization
Watch Video Here..
https://photos.app./8Wd4HynNhf7ZBuDx8

Ayade receives Outline Business Case on Bakassi Deep Seaport
... commends Buhari

The Bakassi Deep Seaport Project received a further boost Friday, with the submission of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by the Federal Government appointed transaction adviser, Feedback Infrastructure Limited to the Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade.
Making the presentation to Governor Ayade at the executive council chamber, Government House, Calabar, Managing Director, Feedback Infrastructure Limited, Engr. Nnachi Onuoha said the exercise of producing the OBC was quite demanding, just as he added that the outcome was thorough.
According to Onuoha, “Nigeria is a country with about 200 million people and still counting. We only have one trade port in Nigeria which is the Apapa port? So, the Bakassi Deep Seaport will be the second trade port in the country because every other port are oil terminals.”
Continuing he said: “If you recall when we had the first meeting here, we were talking about a 12-meter port, then to 15-meter port in terms of draft but after the necessary studies including geophysical and technical studies, we realized that we had no option than to achieve a transnational shipment by doing a 20 meter port. And this seaport will be the deepest seaport in Africa upon completion.”
He said working on the Outline Business Case “was demanding but we did a very detailed and thorough work that can be compared with any other OBC globally. Available records show that average time for an OBC was for five years but we are proud to say that within 18 months, Bakassi Deep Seaport OBC is ready. Today, we have something we can take to the market and investors will be falling on us to invest.”
On the overall benefits of the Bakassi Deep Seaport to the country, the lead consultant opined: “The entire South-East states are land locked and we need an opening point to these places, we have no other option than to galvanize the big pockets and the high networth individuals to converge here to see to the realization of the seaport because it is a viable economic project.”
In his response, Governor Ayade thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the project which he demonstrated by flagging off its construction alongside the 275 kilometers superhighway.
He also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Transport and other agencies of government, that have so far granted about twelve approvals for the project.
According to Ayade, the presentation of the OBC by the consultant, including the receipts of 12 other approvals by relevant government agencies, means that the actual construction of the port will soon commence.
The governor stated that the emphasis placed on the selection of a competent consultant for this job “was critical. The selection in line with international best practice and process was very transparent under the supervision of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.”
On the necessity for the Bakassi Deep Seaport, Ayade explained: “The Bakassi Deep Seaport comes to balance the distortion in our economic equilibrium as a country because the North and South of Nigeria are so blessed but the evacuation of resources from the North has been challenging. We have over 2,000 kilometers to take a product from its source to a port and that prohibitive cost makes it unattractive for commercial agriculture in the northern part of Nigeria.”
Continuing he said: “The Bakassi Deep Seaport will be the only port in Northern Nigeria because the location is bringing Atlantic Ocean closer to our brothers up north. Very strategic location with massive solid minerals deposits, wonderful arable land with very good yield, yet our industrial production is at comatose, exploitation of solid minerals is prostrate occasioned by the difficulty and cumbersome nature of exportations.”
On why he has not channeled his resources to dredge the existing Calabar Port, the governor disclosed that “the existing Calabar port is an inland port which is 97 kilometers away from the open sea with a draft oscillating between four to ten meters and in some places two meters.
“For you to dredge 97 kilometers from two meters to 14.5 to allow for bigger vessels, you definitely need the whole money on earth which is between $200m and $300m just for dredging which must be done often, thereby making it prohibitive in terms of capital and maintenance. So, the choice of taking the port close to the deep sea allows us the flexibility of having a functional port which is located by the mouth of the great Qua River. So, by implication, we will have a deep seaport that will be constructed at the cost of a river port.”
On the commitment of the state to the project, Ayade said: “We have a deep vision and we are committed to this project. We want to remind the federal government that this will be the only port that has a dedicated evacuation corridor, the 275 kilometer superhighway. The superhighway is no longer a concept, not project plan, it is an ongoing project.”
On the funding of the project, the governor disclosed that in his many “interactions with the consultant, I recall him saying and reassuring me that, once we are done with the OBC, the issue of funding this port will not be a challenge as we will have people falling over themselves seeking to fund it because funding is the last problem for the seaport. Now that the OBC has been submitted, and after due scrutiny by relevant authorities for final issuance of OBC, before the Full Business Case (FBC) is given, we already have a core investor who is a core designer who has done the geophysical survey and provided the baseline data for the actual location of the port which is China Harbour.”
Continuing, Ayade said: “We made a choice of China Harbour because they are the number one deep seaport construction company in the world today. They did the design and a pre-feasibility study which has been forwarded alongside a 3D footage,” adding that “If you get to the site of the superhighway, you will see the massive construction work going on day and night.”

HE Ambassador Fahad Al Taffaq played host to HE Senator Professor Ben Ayade the Executive Governor of Cross River State. Both discussed at length various matters of mutual interest in the economic and development areas.
More details later..

HE Ambassador Fahad Al Taffaq played host to HE Senator Professor Ben Ayade the Executive Governor of Cross River State. Both discussed at length various matters of mutual interest in the economic and development areas.

Ayade Engages young Entrepreneurs in MAGs festival

In a bid to improve Cross River State's ease of doing business rating, the Cross River State Governor Professor Ben Ayade has engaged young Entrepreneurs.

Speaking during the recently concluded music, Arts and grills festivals (MAG) Governor Ayade said that supporting MSME's gain access to opportunities in thier various fields is the major focus of his Industrialization vision.

Ayade who was represented by the SSA Entrepreneurship Mr Joseph Edet (Lashakara), stated "Enterprise development is at the core of every Economy and paves the way to a Future for both existing and emerging businesses."

End...

ARCHIBONG WANTS NIGERIA TO DO MORE ON DEMOCRACY

By Kingsley Agim

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong wants Nigeria to live up to its billing as a democratic nation by upholding the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.

Mrs. Archibong stated this in a keynote address at the 2019 University of Calabar Student Union Government Information Week grand finale, held at the International Conference Centre of the University.

The Commissioner, who described the Rule of Law and Separation of Powers as fundamental ingredients of democracy and good governance, decried the incessant executive’s interference in the affairs of other arms of government, citing example of the unconstitutional removal of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, in spite of local and international condemnation, as damning to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic status.

“The Federal Government’s continued detention of people perceived to be political enemies of the government of the day, even when granted bail by courts of competent jurisdiction, such as the case of Sambo Dasuki is eloquent for the absolute infringement and disregard for human rights and the rule of law,” the Commissioner further remarked.

The Information and Orientation Boss outlined executive over-bearance, lack of independence of the judiciary to perform its legal functions, institutional corruption, the nebulous scope of the doctrine of immunity in our constitution, absence of free, fair and credible elections, and gender inequality as some of the challenges bedeviling democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

She cited Cross River State, where the cordiality that exists among the three arms of Govt is devoid of abuse nor compromise of each sacred duty.

Enunciating some of the prospects for democracy to thrive in Nigeria, Mrs. Archibong noted that the media (press) must remain undaunted, despite harassment and acts of intimidation, mostly by the executive arm of government.

She emphasized that the emergence of the new media has enhanced the active involvement of the masses in disseminating information on infringement and breaches of the Rule of Law instantly to the global audience, hence eliciting international intervention.

The Commissioner solicited for a more robust public enlightenment and involvement of Civil Society Organizations to equip the citizens with the requisite knowledge and enhance the application of the Rule of Law in our developing democracy.

“The Rule of Law remains the panacea, not only for political stability, but it is the thread that runs through economic, social, environmental, human rights, gender equality and cultural development,” Mrs. Archibong concluded.

March Salaries Have Been Settled - Asuquo Ekpenyong, Commissioner For Finance


Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong has faulted a section of media reports that the state government is yet to pay state workers March salaries.


Mr. Ekpenyong who spoke with our reporter on Thursday describe the media reports as fake news, he said, "March salary to all civil servants and appointees have been settled. Salary payments were initiated earlier this week, however settlements to Staff accounts vary as its dependent on the Staff’s bank. All staff received their salaries between Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th March."


"In Cross River State, we don't wait for statutory monthly federal allocation, this administration is committed to prompt payment of salaries and workers welfare, it is a record we are happy to keep for the next four years of this administration".


"It is quite unfortunate that mischief makers are planning to score cheap goal with fake media reports to thwart the good efforts of His Excellency Professor Ayade, who is very committed and determined in making state workers welfare better", Mr. Ekpenyong stated.


He further called on the general public to confirm by asking civil servants across the State if they are owed salaries.

Ayade receives Certificate of Return, promises inclusive government
...IPAC, CNPP, others pledge support


Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Friday, received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his victory at the March 9, governorship poll.
Speaking shortly after being presented with the certificate at Mike Igini hall, INEC Secretariat, Calabar, Ayade urged all Cross Riverians to come together in order to build the state.
"Today marks the end of party politics. We must be united, we must come together to reflect on the loss of our oil wells, our Bakassi Peninsula, the excision from the 13 percent derivation, among others. We must come together in our unity and collectivity to work together as a state to bring value and hope to Cross River," Ayade said.
Extending a hand of fellowship to those who contested along with him, the governor remarked: "I want call on our brothers on the other side to join us to form a government of state unity, a government that will accommodate all parties and all shade of opinions as well as a government that will focus on the people.
"It is time for governance. We must at this point put an end to party politics and focus on the core objective of my policy which is the prosperity agenda of Cross River."
Continuing, Ayade who recalled that in his first term as governor, while driven by emotions to put food on the table, said he expanded government, a development he said he will replicate in his second term as, "I am going to expand the government much more and nobody is going to lose his job."
Ayade lauded INEC for the peaceful conduct of elections in the state, even as he commended the governorship candidates of other parties who have all come out to support him.
Governor Ayade specifically thanked the electorate who rewarded him in his historic victory as he won in all the local government areas and in every single polling unit in the state.
For INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood who was represented by the National Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Rivers, Mustapha Mohammed Lekky, "the rest of the country is pleased with Cross River because of how relatively peaceful, free and fair, its elections in the state were conducted."
Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Frankland Briyai, explained that "the Certificate of Return confirms the winner of the election. That is, it is not enough that someone was announced winner. Until the certificate is issued, such a person cannot present himself or herself for swearing in or inauguration as the case may be," pointing out that, "for the winners, the certificate mark the end of the electoral process."
Commenting, Chairman, Forum of Governorship Candidates, 2019 in Cross River, Castro Ezama, said: "We all got involved in this election and truth be said, if we do the election ten times, Governor Ayade will still win, that is just the truth."
Asked if he will seek redress in a tribunal having lost out, Ezama disclosed: "I was a governorship candidate and so there is no way to go to a tribunal. The best tribunal to go to now is the tribunal of coming together on a table to see how we can chart Cross River. We must move with this governor that has gotten the vision and today God has blessed him to mann the leadership of the state. He has invited us and we all must support him."
State Chairman, Inter party Advisory Committee (IPAC) Paddy Alli, explained that the promise of inclusive government by Ayade remains a welcome development and truly has the endorsement of his committee, as it is an evidence of a concencus government and that which focuses on the welfare of the people.
On his part, Chairman, Conference of Nigeria political parties (CNPP), Sunday Michael, said: "We want to thank the governor for accepting to carry everybody along. At this stage, what he does with his government is up to him but he has agreed to be magnanimous and that is why we are calling on two of our 25 members who for any reason are not here that they should incorporate themselves into this government.
If you love the state, those blueprints you have, submit them to the sitting governor who will in turn sit and bring out what will progress Cross River, it is a win win situation."

On Going: Inec present certificate of return to Governor Ben Ayadd and elected members of the Cross River State House of Assembly.

*Ahead of Presentation of Certificate of Return to Gov. Ayade, Archibong pays thank-you visit to Apostolic Church next to her Polling Unit*
... Makes Donation to Church Roofing Project

Ahead of INEC's presentation of certificate of return to the re-elected Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong, has paid a thank-you visit to the Apostolic Church, next to her polling unit, at Ikot Oyom in Akpabuyo.

Mrs. Archibong said the essence of the visit was to thank the Church for the unshakable solidarity and prayers it rendered, which saw peaceful and hitch-free elections throughout the zone.

The Information and Orientation Commissisioner also stated that she was there to make a humble cash donation towards the re-roofing project of the Church.
And in addition, gave other edible gifts like the Ayade-branded rice, etc.

She called on well-meaning Cross Riverians to support the Church, especially given the spiritual role it plays in the society.

Receiving the donations on behalf of the Church, Elder Saviour Morris, thanked the Commissioner for the kind gesture and promised their continued support to the Ayade-led administration in all fronts.

The event featured prayers for Governor Ben Ayade and good people of the State.

Ayade, ready to start his second and final Missionary Journey of Good Governance in Government House, Calabar

By: Solomon Asha

After obtaining a landslide victory at the March 9, 2019 governorship election, and secured re-election, courtesy of appreciative Cross Riverians and other Nigerians residing in the state, and with the Certificate of Return to be presented to him on Friday, March 29, 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Professor Benedict Beyioshuye Ayade, is passionately set to embrace his second and final Missionary service journey of good governance in Government House, Diamond Hill Calabar from May 29, 2019.

Ayade's second and final Missionary service journey after securing his victory is not a fresh and unknown journey to the Obudu Born politician, academic , philanthropist, business Mogul and inventor, but a familiar terrian

It is a road of governance and unselfish service to the people and the entire Man kind which he commenced at the upper Chambers of the National Assembly, from there sailed to his first term as governor in 2015 to 2019 where he has once again been entrusted with the bastion of leadership to continue in his good service and deeds to Cross Riverians till May 29, 2023.

The governor is not going into an unknown terrian but that which he is so familiar with and eminently qualified to preside over as he has done since 2015 as the Chief Executive of the state and between 2011-2015 as a Senator of repute whose contributions during the period are legendary and well documented.

As a Senator in the 7th Assembly, Ayade sponsored and passed the highest Bills that were mostly people's oriented, progressive and of National Development interest among his colleagues at the time and would always verbally argued and innunciated articulately on issues that concerns the welfare of the common Man and the down trodden.

Between 2015 and now that he has the opportunity given to him by the good will of the people and foreordained by divine Providence to cut the shot as the governor, Ayade has not disappointed at all as the performances are self-evident ones that.does not required the consultation of a soothsayer, except by those who have eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear, neither can they feel.

This writer challenge anyone who who still holds the notion that Ayade has done absolutely nothing since 2015 to date to come up with list of completed economically viable projects/infrastructure and industries by a democratically elected or Military Governor/Administrator within the space of less than 1460 days in office as governor Ayade can proudly point to the multi-billions naira Cross River Garment factory, Rice Seed and Seedlings factory, Toothpick factory, network of roads completed, Primary Healthcare facilities, improvement on education facilities and lifting the state from obscure positions in WAEC and NECO to enviable heights in the country?

How about the other multi-billions Naira ongoing projects that are currently between 70-99 percent completion such as the CALAPHARM and Calachika factories, Cocoa processing plant and Rice processing factory, the dual carriage way cutting across the entire five LGAs of the northern senatorial district, the Boki East-West road, Reference hospitals, Calasvegas New City, the 21 megawatt power plant, Ultramodern soyabeans and yellow maize feed Mills, the Integrated Poultry, Canadian School, Quarry factories, Woda Cotton farm, and Obubra maize farm, Teachers' Training and Continous Education Training facility in Biase and roads as well as the Odukpani Banana Plantation, etc. etc.? Can anyman deny the existence of these projects and still remain to be refer to as a sane person?

Has there been any project undertaken by a governor within a tenure of four years whose cost will run in trillions when finally completed as would the 275 kilometers six lane Super highway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport that are both ongoing?

Ayade is consciously attracting and soliciting for investors and projects from the private sector and the federal government of Nigeria as well as from foreign investors to fastrack the the totality of the present administration's Development programmes/projects in the agro-allied and other sectors value chain. On Wednesday this week, Governor Ayade solicited for robust relationship and assistance from the federal government in the area of construction of dams and comprehensive irrigation programmes across the State to bolster the state's projects' value chain revolving around agro-allied industries, water and sanitation.

Based on the foregoing, and the the numbers of projects that have been executed and commissioned by the Ayade's led administration and those ongoing, it is undisputable that the Obudu Born Governor is stepping out to commence his second term in style, clear vision and vigor and shall work assidously to ensure the completion of his projects and if need and resources permits,embark on new ones.

All that every Cross Riverian who love the progress of the state should naturally do is to give the administration of Ayade all the support it needs, and avoid all forms of distractions and antics of pull him down syndrome and baseless character assassination.

It is equally instructive and heart warming that after securing a landslide victory that gave him his second term, Ayade acted as a true peace Maker, a patriot and a man with a large heart by extending olive branch and hand of fellowship to all other candidates who contested the elections in other political platforms to work together with him to build Cross River State of our dream and vision.

That timely invitation from Ayade to the governorship candidates of other parties who contested the coveted seat with him equally show Governor Ben Ayade as man who is still committed to running an open door policy and an all embracing Government in the second term as he is presently doing, and that after the election, there is no Victor, no vanquish.

Finally, Ayade is prepared to carry on with the mantle of leadership which the people of Cross River State have entrusted on him, and from all indications, he is physically, spiritually, mentally and psychologically equipped to take the state to a proud height than he made it in 2015.

END.

Cross River govt apprehends illegal loggers, spells out stiffer penalty for culprits

As part of its conservation drive aimed at reducing emissions, Cross River State government, Thursday, apprehended illegal loggers as well as the seizure of large quantity of organic hardwood extracted from her forests.
Briefing newsmen at the CROWEI site of the confiscated woods, opposite Governor's office, Calabar, Governor, Ben Ayade, maintained that "if Cross River reduces its guard over her forests, Nigerians will be in for real trouble."
According to Ayade, "over time, there has been massive deforestation of Cross River which holds over 58 percent of the entire forest cover of Nigeria. The risk, if Cross River compromises her forest reserve is that, climate change will be accelerated and the consequences will be very total to Nigeria."
He reminded the citizenry of the permanent ban on deforestation in the state as part of Cross River conservation drive, taking its original basis of Red+ programme which, according to the governor, is the only way of reducing emissions while ensuring that carbon dioxide distribution remains at its peak.
Ayade who read the riot act to perpetrators of the crime explained that "the sun we are experiencing in the rainy month is because of these tree felling, that is why Calabar is getting very hot. We are almost 15 kms away from the Atlantic ocean, yet the weather is so hot. We are loosing the real beauty, the green and the lounge that is characterise Cross River."
The governor further directed: "I want the truck that carried these woods, though in the police station, I want it brought to Calabar and auctioned, I want the owner of the truck arrested, we must trace the driver and all those who sponsored these illegal logging. This is not the end until the culprits are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law."
To appointees who connive with illegal loggers to deforest the state, the governor warned them to desist henceforth as government was already aware of their antics and activities and would not let them go unpunished.
"I bought vehicles for officers of government to police the road but some of our own appointees have turned to wood traders. When these people were accosted, you will not believe that some of the agents of government were calling on behalf of the illegal loggers. We know those who have entered into a conspiracy with the illegal wood loggers and deny our people the luxury of the conservation efforts," the governor remarked.
Ayade who commended and announced monetary incentives to those who arrested the culprits said: "This is a mark of appreciation to show to the world that we still have decent, young and honest Cross Riverians who will do the right thing. I applaud your gallantry and honesty as you refused to collect money, subjected yourselves to threats and keeping late hours of the night to apprehend these people."
The governor stressed the need for federal government to support the protection of the National Park and the Cross River forest, intimating that it was imperative "to recognise the sensitive roles and conservation efforts that gives Nigeria the 58 percent cover which makes Cross River a part of those who are in the value chain for the discussion of global climate change issues.
"Cross River lost its oil wells, natural resources, land, 13 percent derivation, low in federal allocation, became poor and reduced to want in body, spirit and soul, yet ripping off her forest, dislocating our parents from dependence on forest resources," Ayade maintained, adding: "yet, federal government sits back and watches us go through the pains of shortening the highway, creating an opportunity of taking the Atlantic Ocean closer to Northern Nigeria. Federal government should add value to our conservative efforts."

Ayade seeks FG's support on construction of dams

Cross River State Government is seeking the support and cooperation of the Federal Government to construct dams in order to achieve a viable agro sector as well as sustaining it’s industrialization drive.
Governor Ben Ayade solicited the support Wednesday, in Calabar when he received the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Comfort Ekaro who is on her maiden tour of Nigeria’s 12 basin development authorities in his office in Calabar, where he pointed out that water remains a vital component in the planning of the state’s development.
“There is a relationship between water abundance and hospitality. If you don’t have adequate water, you can’t provide that kind of hospitality that is expected. Cross River is the cleanest and the neatest state and you can’t do that in the absence of water,” Ayade said.
On the value the development of water resources will add to the state, the governor disclosed: “Cross River is participating under the accelerated agric development program, we are also actively involved in so many value chains particularly maize, yellow maize, soya bean; we are doing cocoa, we are doing banana and we are doing rice.
“We have built industries that will give full start-to-end process application and value addition. We have the cocoa processing plant in Ikom, we have the vitaminized rice processing mill in Ogoja, we have the seed and seedling factory and we have an ultramodern feed mill that will require so much of soya bean and then we have the integrated poultry. In all of these, we can’t sustain the massive requirement of maize, soya bean, and rice to feed our industries without dams, without irrigation. Obviously Cross River State is blessed; you have to cross a river to get to almost everywhere.”
Ayade who also stressed the need for “a relationship with the ministry of water resources that is deeper than mere politics,” lamented the peculiarities of the state’s demography which he said required special attention.
“All the indices on the demography prove that Cross River State is in critical need of the federal government attention. Unfortunately, what has happened is that social reverse stoichiometry is the one in place. The smaller and more compact you are, the more resources you have, the more money you get which negates the African theory of providing a shoulder for a weaker partner and brother to lean on. Cross River State is almost on its knees,” Ayade said and solicited the country’s budget to be subjected to geographical sensitivity analysis in order to ensure a fair distribution of resources.
Cross River currently leads in the comity of States implementing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) action plans with five local government areas declared Open Defecation Free so far.
Mrs. Ekaro, in her remarks solicited the state’s support in the provision of clean, safe and potable water for residents as well as sustaining the gains on sanitation.
“You have already supported (but), we need more so that we can have good sanitation, we have toilets everywhere so that people don’t go defecating outside and you know the problem associated with that-girls are pressed late in the night and they have to go out, they could be raped; even with men, there could be snakes around and somebody had been bitten by a snake. There was a report and of course, he died from there- just trying to defecate outside,” she said.
Ekaro, while hinting that this was her first point of call outside her office since her resumption as permanent secretary in February, commended the giant strides made by the Ayade’s administration, describing them as “mind blowing.”