₦airaland Forum

Etsu Nupe, Osun monarch laud Ayade's industrialization strides in Cross River 
 



The Etsu Nupe and Niger State Chairman of the Traditional Rulers' Council Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, at the weekend, commended the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade for what they described as the industrialization drive of his administration. 

The two monarchs who particularly applauded the existing cordiality between past and present governors in the state, a feat they affirmed was rare among many states, said: "There is no doubt that the focus of the governor is how to turn Cross River's economy around through rapid industrialization. This is laudable as it shows where the state is headed in the next couple of years."

The duo were in Calabar, to grace the book launch written by a son of the state.

Etsu Nupe said: "Since we arrived, we have seen a lot of peace in the state, a lot of understanding and a lot of zeal to develop. We also discovered that the governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has a good working team especially with his deputy, commissioners, former governors and we also believe that his people are happy with this development."

According to the monarch,  "this feat in the state is rare among many states in the country and we pray Almighty God to continue to sustain this in the life of the governor and the entire state in spite of challenges."

Abubakar, who on arrival to the state earlier a paid visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu v, disclosed that issues bordering on sustainable peace, unity and understanding among Nigerians topped their chat, adding that, "as the traditional institution, we observe things and offer advice where necessary," adding thay "we also appreciate that in spite of people positions, they listen to us."

For Oba Akambi, "this is the first time two professors are piloting the affairs of a state as governor and deputy governor and above all understanding themselves with governance moving smoothly."

Continuing, the Oluwo of Iwoland said: "Surprisingly at the book launch we saw the former governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and you putting your heads together. This is hardly seen in many states of the federation, so I say, the people of Cross River need to be emulated for setting a pace."

Responding, Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade said: "I am happy you all took note of these for this is the only existing state that the sitting and former governors are five and six."

Ayade assured that "Cross River will continue to maintain its status as the leading light of civilization. We lead and must show because if today we are the epicenter of hospitality in Nigeria and indeed Africa, we must conduct ourselves in such a way that we remain a shining example."

On the cordiality with his deputy even as professors, the governor pointed out that "we have displayed such a classic balance, we are such a healthy combination, intellectually my deputy has been of great value, truly, we got a great team and he has displayed total loyalty."

On some of his landmark achievement across the state, Ayade explained: "I wish you had time to move around and see our projects and we are a state that when we want to pay salaries, workers will start begging us not to pay that early, even when some states are owing for months."

The visit to the governor by these monarchs featured the presentation of gifts by the Etsu Nupe as well as a book entitled: "Iwo Odidere," donated to the governor's library by the Oluwo of Iwoland.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Suspension of collection of carbon emission levy in the state

In keeping with the present administration’s resolve not to place too much burden on residents and indigenes of the state on payment of taxes, His Excellency the Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade has ordered the immediate suspension of collection of Carbon Emission Levy in the state.
Consequently, all consultants and agents associated with the collection of this revenue head are hereby directed to withdraw from the field and halt their activities with effect from Thursday, 16th November, 2017.
Members of the public are advised not to comply with any such demands henceforth.
Note that those who fail to comply with His Excellency’s directive will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. Be properly guided, please.


Christian Ita
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Chief Press Secretary

Ayade's achievements inspiring to PDP -Mantu, Gana


Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, has described the achievements of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River as inspiring reforms in the party.

Also commending the governor at the state executive chambers, Calabar, when a national chairmanship aspirant of the party, Prof Tunde Adeniran paid a coutesy call on the governor, Tuesday, was a chieftain of the party and former minister of information, Prof Jerry Gana.

According to Mantu, "you have turned this state into a role model, getting the least allocation yet paying salaries on or before the 25 of each month, a feat which only good governors and prudent managers of resources can guarantee."

Applauding Ayade for initiating the deep seaport project which benefits will be extended to the northern part of the country, especially the North East, as well as the establishment of the garment factory which will save the state and nation billions of naira, the former lawmaker said: "The new chairman of our great party must be born again, remorseful and repentant to do what is happening in Calabar, if we must succeed."

Continuing, Mantu intimated that "when we arrived Calabar yesterday (Monday), the aroma of the air was unique, the air smells love, the air smells unity, the air smells excellence and we indeed are grateful with your election in Cross River."

On his part, Gana said: "We are proud of this governor that is focused, directing, mobilising and governing very well and we want to repeat this in several states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

The former Information Minister who noted that the gift of "two professors as governor and deputy governor was a clear demonstration of the beauty of anointed brain power," disclosed that "we want to ensure that we bring in more men and women of integrity and substance so that Nigeria will be transformed and rich instead of being impoverished."

For another PDP chieftain and one time senator of the Federal Republic, Ugochukwu Ubah, while addressing Ayade, said: "We are impressed with your landmark achievements and I believe that we can extend it to other parts of the country. Your digital experiences in the state should help us get a digital chairman and from there, the nation will go digital."

Continuing, Uba admitted: "You have done well in our party, use that advantage in you to ensure that our party succeeds, as what we need now is to rebrand PDP and to rebrand PDP, we must do things differently. This is not the time to manage things but to get things right."

For the chairmanship aspirant, Prof Tunde Adeniran, he described Ayade as a highly resourceful, visionary and intellectual guru who is focused and backed by another guru as his deputy.

Adeniran who said he was in the state to canvass for support in the December 9 National Convention of the part averred that "God has done it for you here, please let it spill over to other states, so that our party will be managed and led by someone who will build good synergy, work hard and do the right thing at the right time."

Responding, Governor Ben Ayade, commended his guests for choosing Cross River as one of their core states for the visit, affirming that, "the only thing you leave behind is the value you bring to humanity."

The governor reminded politicians that "when you take an unsound mind for leadership, you are bound to fail," urging political office seekers to "rise above the principles of power, because power is like a wind, it will soon blow away, so use it with the fear of God and the fear of tomorrow."

Highpoints of the visit was the presentation of a copy of the candidate's manifesto to the governor, Prof Ben Ayade.

Again, Ayade presents patrol Vans to security agencies

In a bid to ensure total security blanket across the state ahead of the commencement of construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has presented another set of 20 operational vans to security agencies in the state.

This is coming after the governor made similar presentations of 150 pickup vans to different security agencies early this year as well as the deployment of additional 50 fully equipped operational vehicles to the State’s own non arm bearing Homeland Security for surveillance services.

Speaking during the presentation of the vehicles to the various service commanders including some paramilitary organizations in Calabar, Governor Ayade noted that "the state will not rest on its oars in ensuring adequate protection of lives and property of its citizenry at all times, hence our regular support to the operatives."

While assuring the officers and men of the state’s continuous improvement on their welfare issues, Ayade explained that "the effort is to ensure that construction work at the proposed 275 kilometers superhighway and the Bakassi deep seaport is carried out without any hitches or breach of peace.”

According to him, "since the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun, Cross River has become vulnerable to all forms of criminality, particularly militancy who took advantage of the porous sea entrance to the state."

He said that apart from the patrol boats, which the state was deploying soon, all land boarders must be fully fortified and made safe for investors.

Explaining the importance of the projects to the economy of the state and nation at large Ayade stated: “My major rescue plan is to find an alternative means of income and you know we're a coastline state and we have taken advantage of that to develop the deep seaport as well as an evacuation corridor that will bring the Atlantic Ocean closer to our brothers in the north, thus making it easier for those in Maiduguri and Kano who want to use the road to port for exportation of their abundance solid minerals that abound in the area can do so without hitches.”

Whiling extoling their pragmatic efforts at ensuring a safer state so far, Ayade hinted: “We know that you are gallant officers and all we believe is that with your presence and full commitment, we shall have our deep seaport and superhighway constructed devoid of any miltancy attack.”

Responding on behalf of the other service commanders, the Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Victory Command, Commodore S.D Jubril, who thanked the governor for always supporting them in discharging their constitutional duties, promised to do their best at ensuring that all project sites are protected, secured and work completed without any security issues

Governor Ayade in a hurry to provide democratic dividends…Mrs. Okorocha

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has been commended for being in a
hurry to bring about the dividends of democracy to the people of the
state as reflected in the gigantic projects he is undertaking.

President of Southern Governors’ Wives Forum (SGWF), and wife of the
Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nneoma Rochas Okorochas
stated this when she led members of the forum on a courtesy call to
Governor Ayade at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office,
Calabar on Friday.

The President of SGWF expressed happiness that governor Ayade’s
projects are people’s oriented, especially the Garment factory that
targets the empowerment and welfare of women and children, besides
such noble projects as the ultra-modern rice mill, cocoa factory, the
super highway and the Bakassi deep seaport, among others, stressing
further that Ayade is in a hurry to provide democratic dividends that
will impact positively on Cross Riverians.

Mrs. Okorocha who thanked Senator Ayade for granting them audience,
disclosed that they were in the state for the last meeting of the
forum for the last quarter of the years, and that the forum which
comprises of wives of the governors of the South-South, South-East and
south-West is committed to building bridges, development and
understanding across the said geopolitical zones.

The SGWF President explained that the forum was instituted under the
directive of the amiable wife of President Mohammadu Buhari, Mrs.
Aisha Buhari to bring together wives of the governors’ in Nigeria and
those from the Southern states in particular, and that the focus of
the forum is the empowerment of women and children and appealed for
support from Governor Ayade and his colleagues and brothers of the
Southern Governors forum.

In his response, the Governor of Cross River, Senator Ben Ayade
expressed appreciation to the Southern Governors Wives Forum for
choosing Calabar to host the last meeting of the forum for 2017, and
disclosed that in Cross River, the people understand the strategic
role of women and need for the empowerment of women for the good of
the society.

Ayade said that the various projects being undertaken by his
administration have direct bearing and positive impact on the people,
especially the garment factory which employs 98 percent women and
widows in particular as its employees, stressing that the women forum
which is a social platform for integration and development of the
southern states of Nigeria has been consistent in holding its
meetings, thereby complimenting the men’s forum.

The Cross River Governor who said that Africa need to move forward,
explained that black is no longer issue of colour but an attitude, and
that his administration is doing everything to ensure that the people
of the state to imbibe the spirit of enterprise and dream higher,
adding, he charged the SGWF members to take time off their crowed
schedules to visit the garment factory and other scenic places in
Calabar.

In her opening remarks, the wife of the Governor of Cross River and
Chief host, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade, said that she was chose to host the
last meeting of the forum in 2017, and that the essence of the visit
was to tell the governor the purpose of their being in Cross River
State.

Cross River State Government, weekend distributed over five thousand tubers of yam to poor households spread across the five Local Government Areas in the Northern senatorial District of the state.
The gesture which came through the food Bank commission, an initiative of Prof. Ben Ayade's administration in the state, was appreciated by the beneficiaries especially as the yams were bought from farmers who participated in the just concluded maidden Northfest, held in OGOJA.
Handing over the yams to the General Managers of the various local Government Areas, food commission to distributed same to the households, Managing Director of the commission, Dr Mercy Akpama, disclosed that the gesture was to encourage farmers to do more in the next farming season, boost their financial base as well as tremendously impact on the lives of the less privileged.
Akpama enjoined the General Managers to ensure that the products get to the earmarked core households, in a bid to not only put food on their tables but to reduce to the barest minimum the rate of hunger in poor families.
She intimated that the exercise which will cover the three senatorial District of the state is done in phases beginning from the North to the central and southern respectively, adding that, hunger challenges faced by widows, widowers and physically challenged will soon be a thing of the past.
Akpama maintained that Ayade has not only kept his campaign vow to radicate hunger but has also followed the Biblical injunction where the poor and needy must be cared for.
General Managers food Bank commission in Bekwarra, Prince Abel Adiya, as well as that of Yala, Barr. Dennis Ochim lauded the Governor for providing succor to these defenceless people, pointing out that the items will be distributed judiciously and as already planned.
Director of Account, Bekwarra food Bank Commission , Lady Cecilia Okuta could not hide her joy as these indigent families were remembered inspite of the dwindling resources in the state.
Okuta, enjoined Cross Riverans to continue to rally round the Governor as he carry out his lofty programmes and policies which are aimed at transforming the lives of the citizenry.
According to her, such intervention had never occurred in the past, making Ayade the first to think of what she termed as "stomach infrastructure " for the down trodden.
END.

Ayade, Lai Mohammed flag off 2017 Carnival Dry Run 


Preparations for Carnival Calabar, Africa's biggest street party kicked off yesterday with Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade and Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed flagging off the first in a series of dry runs for the year. 

Speaking at the Millennium park, Calabar,  venue of the flag off which attracted an array of carnival revelers and spectators alike from within and outside the state, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government will do all it can to help the state take the carnival to higher heights. 

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe said: "We are ready to work with you to ensure we take Calabar Carnival from where it is to higher grounds and I want to see all Nigerian made products being promoted through this platform because that is the policy of President Mohammadu Buhari's administration."

According to Mohammed, "let us have some Nigerian fabrics infused into our costumes and I know we will be able to patronise the producers of these products so that they will all be empowered."

Applauding the government and people of Cross River for sustaining the yearly event which he acknowledged has made the nation proud, the Minister said: "Congratulations because you have done well, what you are going to see in December will be far better than what we all saw last year."

Following his earlier visit to the Calabar International Convention Centre, where he took a ride on the monorail, Mohammed said: "I was shocked when I saw the monorail. This is something that we need to publicise and we will do our best to publicise what is happening in Calabar. All the products in Calabar will be publicised."

Governor Ayade on his part, reassured that the 2017 event which has as its theme: "Migration," will be bigger, bolder and better.

Ayade who spoke through his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, hinted: "This year's Carnival as we said earlier has as its main theme, Migration, and we can't say more than that because it will be elucidated at the Carnival proper. However, all I can assure you is that, this year's Carnival, as usual will be bigger, bolder and better."

Ntufam Sandy Onor returns to PDP, says Ayade is Joseph of our time


A major hurricane yesterday swept through the camp of opposition in Cross River State following the return of Ntufam Sandy Onor to the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Onor, a former Commissioner in the state, was the candidate of Labour Party for the 2015 senatorial election in the central senatorial district of the state.

A grassroots mobiliser who is fondly called Irunandu (star) and Original Caterpillar, Onor was formally received back into party at a colorful ceremony at the Transcorp Hotel in Calabar.

Addressing party faithful that included former Deputy Governor of the state, Bar. Efiok Cobham, former state chairman of the party, Ntufam John Okon, his successor, Ntufam Edim Inok and Dr Frank Ayade, Onor likened the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade to the biblical Joseph.

"In America now, to be President, they will check you out properly. Did you attend one of the ivy league universities? From George Bush Snr to George Bush Jr to Clinton to Obama etcetera; these are outstanding people, tested and proven in leadership. It is not a question of where you come from, whether the person is my brother or sister. Have we checked out Professor Ben Ayade's story? If we have checked his story, we should trust him.

"If we look at the story of his personal life, there is no reason why we should not be confident and optimistic that he will do well in public space. After all as Colin Powell tells us; perpetual optimism is a force  multiplier.

"Like Ben Ayade like Joseph, he dreams big, you doubt him, the manifestation of his dreams will come and hunt you. The point I am making is that if you are not a dreamer like Ben, please at least believe him, cooperate with him, give him support. That is all that I am asking of Cross Riverians.

"If we give him support and the right  encouragement, I trust looking at his private life that he will be able to transform these dreams from the podium of idealism to the mountain top of actualization."

Blessed with a gift of the gap, Onor dismissed any chance of the opposition causing an electoral upset in the state.

According to him, "In this country, even now, there is only one party that is very big and great and that party is the PDP.

The other party is a mere conglomeration of disparaged groups that were forced to come into a marriage in 2015. A marriage of opposite forces, united against a common enemy. Little wonder that once they achieved their purpose, they receded back into the crevices from whence they came. So today they are as as broken China ware in the sun."

He said as the 2019 elections approach, he assured that with proper organisation, the opposition will be routed in the state.

"As we proceed towards 2019, be rest assured that properly organized, our party shall be coasting to victory because the Egyptians you see today, you shall see them no more."

He said he was not returning to the party to derail anybody's ambition and pledged to work in sync with the leadership of the party.

"I will cooperate with the leadership in the central senatorial district under the great Governor Liyel Imoke and other leaders of the central. I will cooperate of course with the leadership of the party in the state," he assured.

C/River seeks oil exploitation license from FG
… to dualize federal roads leading to the state capital

Determined to turn around its economy as well as reposition it as an industrial hub in sub-Saharan Africa, Cross River State Government is seeking Federal Government’s approval to start the exploitation of its abundance oil and gas deposits.
Governor Ben Ayade made the request when he received the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani in company of Minister of State, Prof. Claudius Daramola, during a courtesy visit to Government House, prior to the ministry’s one-day investment summit in Calabar, yesterday.
According to Ayade, “As a responsible government, we had to decide, even before we were sworn-in to begin the search for hydrocarbon and we are happy to report to you today that we have a letter before the President backed by authentic report from a nuclear laboratory in Russia in partnership with the Ukrainian team that did the deep vision survey where those minerals are deposited requesting for discretional license from the Presidency for our oil company, Petrocross to start exploration and exploitation.
We are not looking for money, just give us the license to find oil in our own Cross River Basin, partner with international corporations to exploit it. After all, hydro carbon is getting old fashioned and in eight years from now, no one will talk about it,” the governor appealed.
He stressed: “Please take the message to Mr. President. The greatest benefit any father can give to a child is to allow the child realize his or her full potentials. Cross River State is dying for freedom, opportunity to exploit these abundance natural resources.
“I want to also tell you with specific coordinate that Cross River has one of the largest deposits of onshore gas in Nigeria. We have one of the highest quality of crude deposits with very high level of petrol carbon.”
The governor argued that “It is unnatural for you to have hydrocarbon deposits in the mountain basins of the Cameroun across to Akwa Ibom down to Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers and none in Cross River.”
Highlighting other investment opportunities in the state, Ayade disclosed: “As you bring your core investors to join us to create a presidential diversification, I want to draw your attention to the fact that Cross River State already has an amalgam of industries and opportunities which profile we have already prepared and waiting for investors.”
According to him, “When we are talking about the largest industrial hub like the garment factory, or you are looking at the pharmaceutical factory, the tooth pick making factory, rice seedling plant, rice mill, cocoa processing plant, ceramic plant and oil mill processing plant, whatever factory you are seeking, you are going to have all those documentation in one week.”
Ayade further disclosed: “We have a large portfolio of investment opportunities in Cross River State. We have great potentials in almost every aspect from industry to agriculture.”
He also added: “Today, we have one of the best magnetic iron in the entire Africa, best quality of stalactite and stalagmite deposits, highest purity of limestone, best tautological bauxite, in fact, we have almost every solid mineral you can think of.”
“With our policy of one local government, one industry, we have started the demonstration. Some local government like the Calabar Municipality which is situated in the state capital, we are putting multitude of industries.
“We want to assure that with the Presidential initiative in diversifying the economy particularly in the area of industry, agriculture and manufacturing, Cross River State will indeed be a shining example that you will be proud of.”
Speaking while declaring open a one-day Investment Summit organized by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Ayade also disclosed that the state was willing to take over the dualization of major entry points of federal roads into the state capital, stretching from Tinapa junction to Odukpani with an interchange.
According to Ayade, “When we came into government, one of our critical concerns was the Calabar- Itu road, Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Road and we wrote a strong memo to the Minister of Works, Power and Housing that the state has the capacity to take over the roads, dualize and run it as a major alternative to the superhighway in our first instance, that was in our first three months in office.”
He announced that “the design for the new road and an aesthetically designed interchange was completed and already dispatched to Abuja. I trust the Minister of Niger Delta, our son will ensure that it gets the necessary attention over there for approval.
I am happy to hear from the Minister that finally, our memo is receiving Presidential attention.”
On the Presidential zero oil initiative, the governor disclosed that “Cross River State will be the number one state to support Mr. President to kick start the zero oil economic transformation initiative. The President is saying zero to oil so, we must set up a roadmap that will drive the process and Cross River is already positioned to take the lead in this direction.”
The governor charged: “Where will you rather be, you must be in Calabar where we have the deepest seaport to transport your goods for export to any destination and the 275 kilometer superhighway as your evacuation corridor to other places by land.
On his part the Minister of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani Ngoru Usani said the aim of the summit was to get all the stakeholders in the development circle on a single track to synergize and galvanize ideas that will foster rapid development of the zone.
He called on investors to take advantage of the business friendly climate in the state and identify possible areas of collaboration, assuring that the Federal Government was ready to support genuine investors who pitch their tents in the region, particularly those that will touch on the lives of ordinary citizens.
While calling on investors to quickly identify areas of partnership with the state as the Federal Government through its various financial institutions is ready to support them, Usani added: “Please be committed because Cross River is peaceful and stable for you to invest.”

Cross River Government is set to commence dualization of Tinapa Junction to odukpani junction axis of the Calabar ikom highway as soon as the federal ministry of works approves the design... Governor Ayade stated this when he received the Honorable minister of Niger Delta affairs pastor usani uguru usani in his office today..

Happening Now!! Courtesy call on His Excellency Senator Professor Ben Ayade Governor of Cross River State by the minister of Niger Delta affairs pastor usani uguru usani in Government house calabar.. Promises massive support for Cross River State Government and it's investors...

Ayade Calls For Prisons Reform, Donates Vehicles To Security Agencies


Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has called for an overhaul of the Nigerian Prison System to position it as a government parastatal that drives reformation and productivity.


Governor Ayade made the call, Tuesday in Calabar, the state capital while hosting the state controller of the Nigerian Prison Service, NPS, Mr. Imaikop Ndaekong where he said the country should borrow a leaf from the prison system of the United States which he said drives productivity.


"There is an urgent need for the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration process. Unfortunately these processes which are natural sociological pathway towards reformation now comes with the challenge of funding.

"In America, Prison service is the hottest business. Any remote part of America that they want development to move in, they set up a prison."


Ayade who likened the American system to a hotel business continued: "As you send a prisoner to the prison, government pays his monthly bed rate, his hotel bill and his feeding and for his toiletries. So there is a fixed amount being paid by the US government to each prisons. Each prisoner has a fee.


"And so, everybody becomes desperate to set up a prison yard because it is on the basis of that prisoner that there is demand for food, demand for toiletries, productivity will go up, consumption will go up and employment will rise and so wherever there is unemployment in the US, any villageous setting that has unemployment, they introduce prison systems."


Governor Ayade averred that the system afforded the inmates the opportunity to learn a trade and hoped that it will be replicated in Nigeria which according to him: "is our dream of what the prison should be. It should really be a reformation center; a place where people go for reformation and really get reintegrated properly."

Ayade, who described the statistics of prisons inmates in the state as  presented by Mr. Imaikopp as "scary and worrisome," said the state will review all awaiting trial cases with a view to exercising the powers of prerogative of mercy on the innocent.


Earlier, Mr. Imaikopp who commended the state government's support for the service said that there are six formations across the state which were operating above capacity.


"Calabar prisons as at this morning has up to 842 inmates as against capacity of 450 and covers 7 local government areas. The poor scenario is applicable to all the prisons in Cross River State where each of the prisons covers at least 2 to 3 local government areas a day," Mr. Imaikopp said.


He sought the state's support in the provision of ambulances, operational vehicles, inclusion in the state security council and tools to teach inmates basic skills to fulfill its mandate.


He also disclosed that a total of 854 out of 1,160 inmates opened out for Tuesday were on awaiting trial while 254 were convicted with 46 condemned.


Of this number, 32.7 percent were charged for murder, 27.7 percent for armed robbery, 8.9 percent for ordinary robbery, 5 percent for unlawful possession of firearms, 20.2 percent for ordinary stealing, 4.3 percent for assault and 1.2 percent for other offences Mr. Imaikopp said.


It was a busy day for the Governor who also received the Commander of the 305 Special Mobility Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Hussein Idris, the state commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Commander Alero Usman and the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC in the state, Corps Commander Chidiebere Nkwonta.


He charged them to effectively discharge their duties to the country and state.

He thereafter, announced the provision Of two utility vehicles to the NSCDC and FRSC.

The Governor called on the Air Force to increase its aerial surveillance in the state especially as the commencement as construction work of the signature projects of his administration commences.


"The construction of the Bakassi deep seaport and the evacuation corridor which is about 275 kilometers stretching from Bakassi to Gakem of Bekwarra local government of northern Cross River sharing a direct boundary with Benue state is an area that will come under our very critical purview.


"Our wish is that you must find a way, in collaboration with the state government to maintain a regular overflight over these two specific projects," Ayade said, adding that with over 50 expatriates expected, the commander should "find means to ensure this your ATR 42 is based here in Calabar."

Governor Ayade announced that the state will soon commence the total rehabilitation of roads across the state and charged the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure that a near zero crash record was achieved between now and December 31.


"The crash statistics you have given if not suppressed looks very impressive. It is an indicant that truly you have come with true change because we have begun to see that the statistics are going down," he said.


Ayade continued: "I want to challenge you, I don't want to lose any Cross Riverian or any road user for that matter. While you have made your request, I will grant them to the extent that my good conscience permits that I also set a new target for you.


"Between now and Christmas, I don't want to have more than 2 crashes in Cross River State and no life lost. No shed of blood occasioned by the massive rush for Christmas as this will be a great value you will be bringing because for the first time we are going to be having a Christmas where no family is in tears or sorrows."

Happening Now! Courtesy call by commander 305 mobility Airforce wing commander A. H Idris on Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar..

Ayade moves to de-escalate tension btw Cross River community and Cameroon


.To seek President Buhari's intervention


Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade at the weekend sent a high-powered delegation to Danare 2 in a bid to de-escalate tension between the community and some neighbouring communities in the Republic of Cameroon.

This followed reports of renewed hostilities between the community in Nokia Local Government of the state and their neighbours in Cameroon.

The delegation which was led by the State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa met with the leaders of the community, including youth leaders.

Speaking at the meeting with the community leaders, Ngaji assured the people that the governor will seek the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter as it involves a foreign country.

While urging them to keep the peace and not react to the provocation of the Cameroonians, he said to governor will be swift in finding solutions to their problems.

"This is a border community and the governor will take it to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that something is done as quickly as possible," he told the people.

He disclosed that the statement government will soon bring infrastructural development to the area so as to give them a sense of belonging.

On his part, the state Commissioner of police, Mr. Hafiz inuwa said the purpose of the visit was to bring down the tension brewing in the area.

Inuwa, who spoke with newsmen after the meeting, said: "We have urged them to embrace peace and dialogue while the state and federal governments are doing everything possible to ensure that not an inch of Nigerian soil is surrendered to any foreign country.

He disclosed that the state police command has deployed its men to the community to ensure peace, adding, "As police, we have deployed our men to bring peace."

Similarly, a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Itam Abang told the people that the governor has shown interest in the matter that is why you are seeing this high power delegation led by the State Security Adviser and the Commissioner of Police  and myself.

"We are working towards restoration of peace in this area and  know that our people are not going to be abandoned. That is why we came into the last village to see things for ourselves

"We want the United Nations to go back and re-deliniate and conclude what they started in 2013 because it has not been concluded."

The Village head, Chief Achibal Gabor said his people want a security presence at the land border between their community and Cameroon. 

"We want the land border protected. We don't want to see any Cameroonian Crossing to our land without checks because they will continue to unleash their violence against us.if you know that we belong to Nigeria, then do something now."

On his part, the Youth leader, Jabim kekung commended the state government for the quick response and asked that the community be protected from their aggressors.

"We commended the government for sending this delegation. We have recorded casualties on account of this matter. As we speak at least fifteen lives have so far been lost. We are living in fear, so now that Government is here, please help us."

It's here again! Calabar carnival 2017 rolls out its first dry run of the year to test the readiness of d Various bands and groups. Date :Sunday 22nd October 2017 Time :12noon.

Board and management of NDDC visit Governor Ben Ayade in Calabar pledge support for signature projects whilst promising to increase the corporation's presence in the state.

Cross River signs 750mw power pack with Siemens, others

Cross River State government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of energy firms led by Siemens to deliver a 750mw power plant in the state.

The project which has 18-month timeline will be deployed through ship mounted turbines, expected to soon berth in Calabar.

In the interim, a 40 megawatts of electricity is to be delivered in the next three months through a truck-mounted turbine as an emergency measure.

According to the lead consultant and Chief Executive Officer of African Discovery Group, Mr. Alan Kessler, the power will be delivered at no cost to the state, stressing: “The system is of course free of charge and it will not offer any upfront cost to the people and government of Cross River State,” adding that “the ship will berth nearby and power can be conducted into the grid.”

Justifying the venture: Kessler explained “At the end of the century, Nigeria will have more people than the United States, you need electricity to grow,” describing the new technology as quick, efficient and consistent.”

Kessler who acknowledged the vital role of electricity in the society as well as the current poor power supply in the country, reasoned that the power needs of the country will increase by the end of the century due to the increase in population. He noted that there was need to fix the power need to meet the industrialization quest of government because it has been a very bane to development in Africa.

Offering further insights into the operation of the new technology, Kessler said that the firm has ships based in Singapore of which “we are replacing the hull of the ship with turbines from Siemens,” and run natural gas in which you have in abundance in your region to power the 42 individual turbines that will generate 750mw and plug into your grid.”

Responding, Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade who described the partnership as a dream come true said: “I am happy that this project does not come at any cost to us. Happy that one of the key emphases is to provide uninterrupted power supply and Cross River will soon be listed as the first state with 24/7 power supply in the country.”

On the proposed emergency power supply, Ayade appealed to the consortium to reverse its proposed three months deployment of the 40mw truck mounted turbine power to two months so as to complement the 21mw embedded plant which is nearing commissioning for use during the yuletide.”

The governor who disclosed that the power needs of the state was in the region of 300mw and that extra 200mw will be kept for stability, while the remaining 250mw will be sold out to neighboring Cameroun to generate revenue.

Governor wike visits Ben Ayade in Calabar.

Cross River Garment factory staff celebrates one year of factory on Facebook thanks Governor Ayade for providing the opportunity for her to be gainfully employed.

Hon minister for information Alhaji Lai Mohammed with Chairman and members of Senate committee on information today paid a courtesy call on Governor Ben Ayade In Govt house calabar.

Governor Ayade attends security summit in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital. Admonishes FG to provide employment for youths as a means to curb insecurity.

Unprecedented crowd as Cross River holds maiden cultural festival


A record crowd at the weekend attended the maiden edition of the Northern Cross River Cultural Festival (NORTHFEST) which held at the grounds of the ultra-modern rice factory being constructed by the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration.

Hundreds of thousands of people comprising critical stakeholders, religious and traditional leaders, youths, politicians as well as market women dressed in different traditional attires complimented by dance groups gave the event a carnival feel.

Although it was a cultural festival for the five council areas of Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala, it was viewed more as a test of the governor's popularity in his own senatorial district.

The huge turnout was therefore, a resounding affirmation of the support he still enjoys from his immediate constituency.

At a scene typifying a political rally and which also had in attendance the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke and his deputy,  Efiok Cobham, banners, flags, posters and hand bills bearing different inscriptions such as "No vacancy in Diamond Hill", "Ayade, you began a good race, you must reach the finish line", "Our votes are waiting for you," among others, were boldly on display.

Political leaders, paramount rulers, youths group, market women, transport workers  from the five council areas that make up the Northern Senatorial District took turns to eulogise Governor Ayade for what they described as his sterling performance in less than three years in office.

They urged him to use the occasion to formally declare his second term bid. 

The Northern Festival, christened 'NORTHFEST' was a maiden edition of the celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the zone to be held every last Saturday of September each year. Speaking at Ogoja, venue of the event, Ayade said: "We are proud we are from the north. We are the northern star. As I see the large crowd here, I know that the Northern Senatorial people are truly united, this is our first edition, we will make it bigger and better."

Applauding the participants from the five local government areas including traditional rulers, bedecked in their royal regalia, farmers, wrestlers, a well as tappers, Governor Ayade maintained that for agriculture to serve as a way forward for the economy, the people must come together.

Lauding his predecessor, Senator Imoke, Ayade described him as "a great man, an iconoclast and a political mahogany, who gave his commitment that power must shift to the north and at the fullness of time, he gave his time, energy and experience to make it happen and today, we have a governor."

The governor further charged the people not to be distracted but join him in transforming the fortunes of the district and state at large for a better, brighter and wealthier future that will be the envy of others.

Senator Imoke thanked Ayade for his creativity and initiative that will tremendously turn around the fortunes of the people.

He said: "Having set the pace with this festival which is the celebration of our culture, heritage, wealth, capacity and resourcefulness, it is now left for you as a people to take it from here to the next level. I believe that this is just the beginning and it is important that we give him all the necessary support to take this festival as big as any other in Nigeria."

For the Senator representing the district in the apex lawmaking body, Rose Oko, "today's celebration will encourage our people to do more, farm more and give us a new lease of life," adding that, "this is not only a festival but through this we will galvanise our culture in the polity of the state while broadening the economic base of our people."

Ambassador Akpang Obi Odu who described the event as a festival of empowerment, also extolled Ayade for reinventing in the people their age-long culture.

Presenting the governor with an award of endorsement for his exemplary leadership as well as achievements for the state, Amb Odu, on behalf of the people of the disrict said: "Ayade has made it clear to us that the sky is not our limit but a starting point. The British, Chinese and Americans want our yams on display today, please help us to market these yams to them."

Earlier, Chairman of the planning committee, Chief Peter Ojie, explained that what was being showcased was an indication that the people of Cross River North are united by their culture and occupational identity, pointing out that the gesture will move the people from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Highpoints of the event were the inspection of the various local governments yam barns by the governor, the parade of maidens, cultural displays including the age-long war dance of Ikpatemana in Obudu, wrestling competition as well as the parade of agricultural produce from the five council areas.

Two Hyundai i10 series saloon cars were presented to the winners of the maiden Mr. and Miss Northfest 2017 respectively.

Ex Governors Liyel Imoke Donald Duke with HE Senator Ben Ayade during the burial of high Chief John Henry Bassey in calabar today.

Paris Club Refund: Cross River hasn’t paid a dime to any consultant –Finance Commissioner

 

Cross River State Government has described as fake news the purported investigation of the state, along with three others, for allegedly paying money to a consultancy firm from its Paris & London Club Refunds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement issued in Calabar by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, said: “The report is not only puerile but also a figment of the imagination of the authors of the story.”

Ekpenyong stated unequivocally that “the state did not and has not paid a dime to anybody in the name of consultancy from the Paris Club Refund.”

While deploring what he termed as an emerging trend of mischief aimed at bringing the state into disrepute and causing public disaffection, the Commissioner, however, urged Cross Riverians and indeed, Nigerians as a whole to ignore the fictive report.

According to the Commissioner, “It is rather sad and regrettable that the same media that not long a ago lavishly published a report about alleged freezing of the account of the state for refusing to pay for the services of a consultant from the said fund is the one now reporting that the state, along with three others is being investigated by the (EFCC) for purportedly paying money to a consultant from the said fund. What can be more contradictory than this?”

Clearing the air on the mischievous insinuation, Ekpenyong offered: “For the avoidance of doubt, Cross River State government is not aware of it being under any investigation by the EFCC on account of the Paris Club Refund as claimed in the media,” adding that “all payments made from the account are traceable”

Continuing, he said: “It is on record that disbursements so far made from the Paris Club refund have been for the payment of pensions, gratuities and salaries. We wish to reiterate, for the avoidance of doubt that not a kobo from the fund has been paid to anybody for whatever consultancy services.

"This administration has continued to observe the tenets of probity by adhering strictly to the fiscal regulations as enthroned in the three legislations governing operations of public accounting in Cross River State, namely, Fiscal Responsibility Law; Public Finance Management Law; and the Public Procurement Law.

“I must state without any fear of contradiction that the state is growing tired of the new found preoccupation of idlers and peddlers of mischief who are hell bent on not only distracting the focus of this administration on delivering on its electoral mandate, but also stoke tension in the polity. It is time the media availed itself of the Freedom of Information law by seeking information from appropriate quarters on issues of public concern.”

Cross River Governor setting the pace in rice farming as he starts harvest in his 475hectares rice farm located at Bebi in Obudu.

Rice City: C'River to roll out first batch of seedlings in December.

Determined to ensure food security in the country, Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has announced that the state's Rice City project will roll out its first batch of seedlings between December this year and January 2018.
Ayade disclosed this, while on an inspection of ongoing work at the project site along with a consortium from Thailand and Taiwan.
His words: "Recently, our farmers complained that most of their seeds could not germinate and we tried to carry out a research to know why the seeds could not kick off. Now we have come to a point where we understand clearly that some of their seeds have been under cool storage for too long, lost their capacity to germinate. So, what we have to do is to build the first ever seeds and seedlings factory in Africa, in partnership with a consortium from Thailand and Taiwan, working with the Irish design and construction team."
According to Ayade, the factory which will take off between December and January 2018, will produce fresh seeds that are vitaminized and prepared to grow as soon as they are done," adding that, "in the next CBN Anchor Borrowers program in the rice value chain, Cross River State will be a major input of seed supplier as our seeds will be young and refreshed because the younger the seeds, the higher the chances of germination."
The governor enjoined Nigerians to "watch out and see the seeds and seedlings that will come out from Cross River State," affirming that the rice mill in Ogoja at the Northern Senatorial District of the state also has a vitaminization plant that will introduce vitamins into the rice so that when kids eat, they will grow taller, healthier and knowledgeable."
Throwing further light on the proposed Ogoja Rice Mill, Ayade said: "You will see a new technique of rice planting, you will no longer see anybody hold a hoe, all you will see is technology-driven," adding that "even in the farm, you will sit on a tractor and drive in a swamp, there is a tractorization and mechanization unit that will support farmers so that they don't toil anymore but from their pockets."
On measures put in place to address the expected huge traffic from African countries who will be patronizing the factory, the governor explained: "That is why I decided to locate the factory close to the airport and I have also made provision for its expansion through the huge landmass you see here because we also have a training school for rice value chain where people from the neighbouring countries will come and be trained on rice manufacturing, rice growth and engineering."
Applauding President Muhammadu Buhari's support to Cross River through the agricultural chain programs and his directives for Nigerians to return to farming, Ayade pointed out that "we must go into agriculture with technology because there is no young graduate that is going to carry a hoe and a matchet to clear and do tilling any more."
Insisting that Cross Riverians must follow the President's directives to own farms, the governor intimated that it was in line with this that his administration is reviewing land laws to enable the citizenry have easy access to land for farming.

Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade with, the Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), Hon. Stella Okotete and the Chief Executive Officer, Al'Tal Synergy Concept Abuja, Mr. Olorogun Taleb Tebite, during a visit by NEXIM to the Cross River State Garment Factory in Calabar.

Cross River first lady stuns onlookers, joins in farm harvest

Details: http://www.senatorbenayade.org/cross-river-first-lady-stuns-onlookers-joins-farm-harvest/

work pregressing steadily at the Calabar Ultra modern vitaminised rice nursery factory

Expect made-in-Ogoja rice by December -Ayade

Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has disclosed that the ultra-modern rice mill currently under construction in Ogoja Local Government Area will roll out its first wholly bagged rice by the end of December 2017.
Governor Ayade disclosed this shortly on arrival from his overseas trip at the Margaret Ekpo Int’l Airport, Calabar, yesterday.
“Part of my trip itinerary was to inspect the manufacturing process of the rice mill which is the most sophisticated and digitalized facility you can ever find. It is the latest technology in rice processing in the world today.”
According to the governor,  “Payment has already been made and we are awaiting delivery by end of October while installation will commence as soon as the equipment arrives. Hopefully, Cross River State will have it own home grown, milled and ready for consumption rice by December.”
Ayade who lauded the foresight of President Muhammadu Buhari for his aggressive agricultural policy,  maintained: ”I agree with Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari that we must think agriculture which is now yielding
positive fruits across the country.”
Governor Ayade also explained that “Our major focus is on agriculture, solid minerals
and to a lesser extent oil and gas, adding that “In Cross River State we had seen this coming which was why we set up food bank, cotton cultivation with the focus to support our garment factory as a strategy for backward integration. We must find any means to earn money other than oil and gas.”
Ayade who also enumerated other aspects of investments which the state has also gotten nods from partners explained that "we are also expanding into various aspects including the cultivation of corn because we are setting up a poultry farm which will require yellow maize as feeds.
“I will use this opportunity to call on Cross Riverians to as a matter of urgency, start arranging for their own farms. You must own a farm because if everyone owns a hectare or two, the impact on food supply will be humongous.”
He hinted further that the government intends “to introduce the Israeli farming system where everyone owns a farm and what government will do is to harvest and process those proceeds for the benefit of everyone. We need massive supply of corn and we are making arrangement to introduce modern corn farming techniques that will require all hands to be on deck as farmers
to achieve this.
 “For our cocoa processing  plant which is being handled by a firm in Switzerland, the manufacturing has reached 80 percent completion. I’m talking about all the equipment required for cocoa processing including dryer. We are in addition, setting aside 100 hectares of land dedicated for the cultivation of a new breed of cocoa to support the proposed cocoa processing plant as well as provide us cocoa bags in readiness for export.”

WHAT AYADE CRITICS WON'T TELL YOU.
(BY DOMINIC KIDZU)
There has been a rash of toxic material pouring freely into the social media like August rainfall in Calabar. The astonishing rapidity and regularity of this literary genre is surprising even to the casual onlooker and raises fresh questions as to the raison d'etre for this season of hate, and envy, and spite that aims to paint a plaster devil out of genuine human, honest and progressive effort . A literature, spread ever so widely, such as it has been, and directed at Professor Ben Ayade's governorship. To demean, to subtract, to repudiate, even to disavow all the effort of this government and bedevil in entirety, the person of the governor, his immediate family and the entire corpus of his preoccupation for these two tortuous years.

I will not, shall not, can not condemn honest and progressive criticism that points out loopholes, or indeed offers alternative blueprints to help steer the ship of state over these turbulent times to a safe berth. Nor shall I enter into disputation with those who provide, proffer or avail to government, the ways and means to achieve the greater good for the greater number of the masses of our people. Intellectual nobility should ordinarily prevent me from such faux pas.

But I shall and do intend to earnestly respond, without high - wire emotions and warped sensibilities, but in all good conscience and in due consideration of facts, in naked form for the benefit of the discerning public, the good of the people and the safety of our democracy. This is in order to prevent the historical damage that could, and has often occurred, when good people keep silent in the din and canter of lies.

We are at a critical juncture in our history, where silence can not be golden. The judgement of truth and facts must be enforced. Therefore must we speak out as forcefully as is decent and as truthfully as is factual. To do anyless will be a stunning abdication of moral example and leadership.

The concert of countervening writers and critics who accuse Governor Ayade of performing under par have regalled us all of what Ayade was expected to do, which he is said not to have done. Under a constitutional democracy, they are free to pontificate as they choose and to express themselves fully within the remit of the law. I respect that. My own mission is to also tell the public what he has done, on the other hand, which they have not, and will never tell you. And we are talking about just two years and two months
only!
# Settled all outstanding issues and arreas in the Judiciary that were on ground before he took office.
# Pays subvention of about 169,000,000 to Cross River University of Technology monthly.
# Has paid all severance and entitlements of chairmen, councillors and appointees of local government who served between 2014-2017, while plans are afoot to pay same to the outstanding batch preceding the last set.
#Pays monthly subvention to College of Education, Akamkpa.
# Has commensed a massive social housing project in Bakassi.
# Is driving exploration works in hydro carbon energy.
# Dualization of Okuku - Abakpa junction road which is 35 per cent completed.
# Constructing Onicha Farm - Boje bridge.
# Constructing the East - West road to link the two constituencies of Boki at last.
# Linking public power supply from Benue state to Obudu at last.
# Deep Seaport structural designs on going.
# Calapharm pharmaceutical factory, 90 per cent completed.
#Hydrographic studies completed.
# EIA of Super Highway approved by the scrupulous federal authorities.
# Garment factory completed.
# Massive rice seedlings plant on going.
# Cocoa processing plant on going.
# Okuku high tech rice meal on going.
# Wind and solar power plant in Obudu already designed.
# Obanliku new city construction works on going.
# Biase road project on going.
# Akamkpa road project on going.
# Calas Vegas City construction on going.
# Completed the Calabar International Conference Centre.
# Has been containing and finding lasting solutions to various boundary challenges around the state.
# Renovation of 240 primary schools across the state.
# Construction of Canadian International School on going.
# Construction of an independent power plant which is 95 per cent completed.
# Provided jobs for thousands of Cross Riverians some of whom have been jobless after more than ten years of graduation.
# Pays salaries and pensions of civil servants promptly every month, when most states are several months behind.
I can go on and on and on reeling out the the good works of the governor, but these are just the ones I am able to pluck out of my hat insitu. And all of these in two years! Two years lacerated with substantial irritations of legal battles going right up to the Supreme Court.
If all these attacks on the person and Administration of Governor Ayade are the new face of politics in Cross River state then we are entering a dark and dank phase in our development.
Ayade became governor through politics, but he came along with class, a clear head and a business mindset. For him, this is time for work, folks. For politics, dateline is certainly 2019, so hold your untruths for now, we are keeping our gunpowder dry.
Even though he has ordered all appointees of government and media aids not to respond to these critics, the remit of attacks that permeates the social media today disavows all good politics and all good conscience and must not be allowed! to go on unanswered.
Hussein Bolt did not finish his race the other day in London, Ayade will finish his, for sure. And in the fullness of four years plus four, we can look back at where we shall be and then award weights and measures. Before then, people, let's give him a break and follow his momentum.
(Dominic Kidzu is the Special Adviser to the Governor on International Donor).

How Ayade is bridging the gulf between East and West Boki through road connectivity

 

Call them East and West Jerusalem of Cross River State, you will not be wrong, neither will you be charged with sedition. But unlike the inhabitants of the Middle East region, the people of East and West Boki, in Boki Local Government Area, are brothers and sisters who are disconnected as a result of the absence of road infrastructure.

Sharing similar linguistic, economic and social homogeneity, but detached by Afi River as well as lack of access road, for over 30 years, the people of East and West Boki have seen and experienced more than a fair share of the bad and the ugly. The two sister communities have seen administrations come and go, with several promises easily broken to their faces than they were made. They have been shortchanged by the same people who braced the odds during electioneering to solicit their votes and only to be seen no more.

For long, they have accepted the fate that confronted them unquestioningly and hoped against hope that one day, help might surface and a redeemer to bridge the gulf that separated them would come.

A journey to and from either of East or West Boki, which under normal condition, should ordinarily not exceed ten kilometers, stretched over a hundred, with the people having to navigate through Ogoja, Obudu and Ikom before accessing Boki 1 or Boki 2. For these two long neglected communities, it had been an endless ordeal that exacted an untold hardship, an unwarranted pain and stress.

Even though these two communities saw themselves as belonging in Cross River, they never actually felt as being part of the state. As far as the people of East and West Boki were concerned, they were sad and helpless victims of exclusion, isolation and marginalization that spanned over 30 years.

Today, however, it is fit and proper to say with glee that there is no time like the present as the waiting game is over. The despair that was for long part of their common diet is speedily turning to hope, cynicism to optimism and frustration to a sense of fulfilment. There is a sweeping reassurance and relief that they can indeed be part and parcel of Governor Ben Ayade’s developmental hurricane currently sweeping across the state

The harrowing years of spending frightful days and nights and seeing farm produce perish while conveying them to the market is fast coming to a terminal end as massive construction work to ensure socio-economic and commercial interconnectivity between the two communities is on a fast mode.

On this day of the media tour of ongoing projects in the North and Central Senatorial Zones of the state, hope sprang eternal, excitement was palpable among the people of Boki East and West.

Like the East West Boki, worryingly, the people of the northern part of the state making up the five local councils of Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala had for long been cut off from socio-economic activities with the rest of their brothers and sister from the central and southern part of the state.

A journey of three and a half hours from Ogoja to Calabar, painfully morphed into eight to ten hours depending on if you were commuting from either Obudu or Obanliku. The Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja federal road that links the northern part of the country to the South South region has for ages swallowed the lives of thousands of their loved ones to fatal road carnages.          

So, in a bid to arrest the slaughter, occasioned by road accident as well as blur the divide between the southern and northern part of the state and also re-energize, reactivate the tempo of socio-economic activities, Governor Ayade again, showed up as he is wont to do to flag off the construction work on the 133 kilometers Mfom-Okpoma-Imaje-Bekwarra-Obudu-Obanliku dual carriage road, which cost is put at N31billion. 

Ayade, speaking while performing the groundbreaking, said the milestone was the beginning of a new journey in the history of the Northern Senatorial District which for 45 years had been denied the luxury of driving on good roads.

For 45 years, the people were totally disconnected from the point of mercantile and social interactions and indeed all prospects that give people dignity.

Like a people whose fate is intertwined, the economic life of the northern part of the state and the people of East and West Boki was completely gone, large farms that fed the entire South-south and South-east was also gone. Educational institutions and all that bounded them then was gone as a result of perpetual neglect and bad roads.

But in a twist of fate, God, in His infinite mercy, brought Ayade to restore the cord that once held them together.

With construction work at the East and West Boki road progressing at a fast pace, the locals could not contain their joy and excitement that for once, a leader is keeping his campaign promise to the people.

Unable to come to terms with the stark reality that construction work was actually going on, and that Boki 1 and Boki 2, otherwise called East and West Boki will experience road connectivity, Solar Japorson from East had this to say: “The governor is doing what others before had failed to do for us. For years, the two communities could not access each other. Crossing Afi River to the other side was impossible.”

According to him, the governor must be commended for his bold and courageous effort at changing the socio-economic narrative of the people of East and West Boki.

“Governor Ayade is really a leader who feels the pains of the people and is ready to soothe them.” 

With the expected value to be added to their farm produce through appropriate pricing, with the construction of the road, another resident, Elder Francis Offem said: “I am a driver who drive a Toyota Carina 2 to move my farm produce to the markets, but during rainy season, I am left with no job as the bad state of the road made it impossible for me to convey them to the market. Before now, I could only carry 20 bunches of bananas and plantain during the dry season to the market. But today, with only the grading so far done, I can now carry 50 to 60 bunches with ease. Indeed, Governor Ayade is God-sent to the people of Boki. For remembering us with the construction of this road and most importantly, the building of the bridge to link Boki East and West. We will eternally be grateful to him”

For Mrs. Esther Barong Obi, “God will bless Governor Ayade for the construction of this road. We are happy for his courage to take us out of our misery. My ambition as distributor of farm produce in far places as Onitsha, Rivers, Aba, Abakalike and Benue is now looking like a reality.”

At the site of construction work on the 147km Mfom-Iyala-Bekwarra-Obudu-Obanliku road, in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Mr. Stephen Ushie Ogar, in Iyanya Village praised Governor Ayade for making good his campaign promises of enhancing the socio-economic activities of people in the rural areas. In his words: “Successive governments have come and gone, but none of them had ever made us feel part of the state as Ayade is doing. When he wanted to be governor, he came home to us and told us his plans if elected. Today we are seeing those promises come to pass and we are happy."

The road which is being executed as a dual carriage, Governor Ayade, realizing that 90% of his subjects who live in the five council areas are mostly farmers, felt the need to give the road a perfect makeover.

On the seriousness attached to the quick completion of the project, the contractors, Messrs. Sidney Construction limited expressed delight at the support they are getting from the State government.

According to the project manager, Engr Johnny Rajall, “at least 60% of the back filling on both sides of the road has been done,” adding “our company has adopted an approach where all our equipment are not concentrated in one area of the road. We started from Mfum to Okpoma and Okuku and now we are in Bekwarra."

Rajall stated that “from Abuochichie Junction, we have some of our equipment working and this will continue until we get to the foot of Obudu Mountain Resort. Owing to the rainy season our intention is to concentrate on the backfilling of the road, but very soon, the concrete sections of the road will be started which includes drainages and culverts.”

A chief in Inyanya Village, Chief Justin Agbajoh said the project is a dream come true for them. “I am very happy with this road and I would like to use this opportunity to on behalf my community, thank Governor Ayade, because before now, this road was impassable and it was difficult to transport our produce from the farms to the markets. But now you can see for yourself even before the road is finished that the work done so far is helping our people a lot.”

Also a woman leader, Mrs. Victoria Odey, could not hide her joy and excitement as she showered encomiums on Governor Ayade. “I am very happy because of this road, we now feel like we are in the city already. Our small village will soon become an express road, thanks to our performing governor, we are so happy. For us, this is like our next heaven as our women can carry their groundnuts, cassava from the farms to the markets. As women, we are grateful and we will continue to pray for the governor to succeed and complete this project successfully."

For the people of Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala council areas, as well as the East and West Boki, there is no better way to end the long years of socio-economic ostracization, tears and misery than Ayade’s effort at blurring the infrastructural divide through road connectivity and ensuring that the binding cords which once held east West Boki are pieced together.