₦airaland Forum

Ayade's cotton revolution set to put Cross/River in league of global producers

By Dare Olatokunbo

For the people of Woda, a sleepy community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, they could not have it any better than a bounteous gift of a cotton farm. Tucked away in the armpit of the northern part of the state with no access road and no electricity but with abjection as a defining narrative of their everyday existence, the euphoria that now greets the citing of a two thousand hectares of cotton farm in their domain could not be any more strident.
Though, endowed with a vast and fertile arable land, the community members could not stop wondering why past administrations never saw the need to utilize such act of kindness from God and nature to transform and make meaning out of their hitherto miserable lives.
Completely excised from modernity, a drive through the community on this day to inspect what will arguably be the largest cotton farm on the continent painted a graphic picture of a community not far removed from the state of nature.
Grinding poverty, thatched houses and lack of government presence stood out in bold relief. In fact, for the people of Woda community, essence holds no meaning than existence.
But on this day, there appeared a shimmering light on the horizon with the decision of the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration to cite a ten thousand-hectare cotton farm in Woda.
Indeed, as part of the backward integration policy of the governor, having established the biggest automated garment factory in Africa, his decision to complement this bold and howling initiative with the setting up of a cotton farm is no doubt a determination woven through to its precision.
Already, cultivation on the already acquired two out of ten thousand hectares of land has begun, with an expected roll out of 30 tons of cotton by November this year, with a spinoff effect on capacity building, employment generation and ultimately, urbanization of the community.
When in full swing, a whopping 10,000 direct jobs for the teeming army of unemployed youths is guaranteed, ensuring unwittingly, that Woda is firmly on the world map.
With this project, a motorable pathway has been hewed from a track that once served as the only outlet into the semi city centre from their farms to ease the movement of people and farm produce to nearby markets.
The citing of this project in Woda, besides the urgent need to industrialize the state and ramp up its economy, is a clear demonstration of Governor Ayade's commitment to creating jobs and ensuring that "no child goes to bed hungry during my tenure as governor of Cross River State."
On this day, it was neither the sight nor sound of the governor's presence that elicited the endless chant of his moniker, but the euphoria that for the first time in the life of the community, government presence was beginning to creep into Woda and a new dawn is unfolding for the once forgotten people.
As is usual with eureka feeling, the old,  the young, men and women, children, in sheer excitement of what was unraveling before their eyes,  chorused: "Ayade, na you we know", "Ayade, no one like you," "With Ayade, Woda has come alive", "Carry go Ayade, no vacancy," "Ayade is God sent", "He is a miracle worker." Not done with praises, they streamed out in a long convoy of motorcycles to receive the Chinese investors and a team from Arewa Cotton led by the Managing Director, Anibe Achimugu.
Addressing the youths, he said: "We will start by allocating parcels of land to you, the community farmers, train you and hope that you can now pass the knowledge to others.”
Continuing, he said: “As you can see, community members are already working with us in terms of the casual labour that we need. Also, we are collating the small holders’ farmers as outgrowers."
Assuring the community of the vast opportunities thrown up with the establishment of the cotton farm, Achimugu hinted that "the entire cotton value chain has the capacity to generate 10,000 jobs and a lot of that vistas of opportunity will come from Cross River State."
According to him, "this is clearly in line with Governor Ayade’s backward integration policy and the only way to ensure that the Calabar Garment Factory operates at optimum capacity."
Maintaining that the farm is in line with the world best practices in agriculture as the team is led by an old staff of Institute of Agricultural Research, the MD affirmed that they were attracted by the automated garment factory in the state, the complete value chain and the quick cash flow generation as well as the receptive nature of the people to investors.
Also on tour of the farm, Nigeria Project Manager of a Chinese firm, Ruyi Science and Technology Group, Wu Xingtao, while speaking on behalf of his team, assured that they found in Cross River State government a serious partner to do business with, accommodating and determined to develop the state garment factory with required raw materials, hence the need for the partnership.
Xingtao revealed: "We have plans to build textile factory in Nigeria. That means we need plenty cotton. We want to get plenty cotton from Nigeria and not to import. So we are partnering with Cross River State government to make our textile factory easy."
Affirming the Chinese firm's doggedness to deliver, Facilitator/Director of the cotton farm project, High Chief Gabriel Umodem, disclosed that "we saw their projection in Australia and Pakistan and that is what we want to repeat here. All of them don't have the market that we have as the Nigerian market is too much. If you add that to the AGOA initiative, it means they come from China, produce in Nigeria and ship to America, so, Woda is going to be on the world map in terms of expansion.
"We promise that before the Carnival, a trailer load of a minimum of 30 tons of raw cotton will arrive the Calabar Garment Factory from our 2,000 hectares farm in Woda, Yala to show the world. Our technical partners are proposing a textile industrial park in Calabar that will produce 300 million meters capacity of fabrics per annum and the idea is that, they are overloaded back home, so, the Nigerian quota from their factory will come from Cross River."
He also assured that "we are not just doing cotton, we will gin, weave and intend to take over the garment factory and run it internationally."
Speaking on behalf of the youths and on the community’s support for the project, a community leader and former National Assembly member, Christopher Inyila Eriba, said: "If we have land to offer, that will be our little contribution towards the agricultural revolution. At a time like this, in order to cope with economic recession with a lot of young graduates who need skill acquisition, it is expected that going into this kind of venture will give us that leverage and training."
Eriba added that "the community leaders, women and youths are happy, ready and in support of this project that will tremendously touch our lives. We pray that government should accomplish this laudable program."
Appreciating the seriousness and commitment of Governor Ayade to the cotton value chain, Head, CRS Project monitoring office of Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System, Mr. Uduzeli Progress, said that his group is ready to throw its weight be Woda cotton farm based on the type of model suitable for the program.
According to him, "We have two models. One is called “Farm Smart”where you open a farm with large hectares of land, bring youths together, open a farm for them and monitor them. We also have the “Anchors Borrowers Program” of the CBN. In this case, we partner with CBN to access loans and give to farmers. So, we are thinking of which model that will suit this program."

Initially conceived as a programme targeted at widows and the underprivileged women in the state, with the provision of 3000 jobs, the Calabar Garment Factory is assuming a wider scope than earlier conceptualized with the birthing of a ten thousand hectare-cotton farm in Woda, ten thousand job opportunities as well as the proposed establishment of textile industrial park in the state by a consortium of Chinese firm

Fraudsters using Gov Ayade's name to scam unsuspecting members of public- Aide 

Our attention has been drawn to online scammers purporting to be recruiting, canvassing and soliciting membership for a phony platform called “PDP Ayade Team”, using cloned photograph of His Excellency on different social media platforms, and luring unsuspecting members of the public to join the team.

These fraudsters, operating under various pseudo-names have been requesting registration fees from their unsuspecting victims to be registered as members of the “PDP Ayade Team”.

For the records, we do not know anything about “PDP Ayade Team" and have NOTHING, whatsoever, to do with it.

While we acknowledge the existence of a platform called “Team Ayade”, which is a forum aimed at rallying support for His Excellency’s policies and programmes, we wish to, however, state that no fees or remittances are required to join the platform, as membership is voluntary and free.

We therefore, wish to warn the general public to be on the watch out for theses online predators whose singular aim is to fleece their unsuspecting victims, under different guises.


Christian Ita,

Senior Special Assistant/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Cross River starts cotton cultivation, to make first harvest November 

As part of the backward integration policy of Prof Ben Ayade's administration, Cross River State government is set to roll out 30 tonnes of cotton from its cotton farm by November this year.
The cotton farm situated in Woda community, Yala Local Government Area of the state, is in partnership with Arewa Cottons.
Managing Director, Arewa Cotton, Anibe Achimugu, in a chat with newsmen at the farm disclosed that "we will start by allocating parcels of land to the community farmers, train them and hope that they can now pass the knowledge to others.
"Members of the community are already working with us in terms of the casual labour that we need. Also, we are collating the small holders farmers as out growers," Achimugu said, adding that "the entire cotton value chain has the capacity to generate 10,000 jobs and a lot of that vistas of opportunity will come from Cross River State."
Achimugu further informed that about 30 thousand tons of cotton will be rolled out from the farm in November, a feat, he assured would be a gift to Governor Ayade.
According to him, "this is clearly in line with Governor Ayade’s backward integration policy and the only way to ensure the Calabar Garment Factory Factory operates at optimum capacity."
Stating that the farm is in line with the world best practices in agriculture as the team is led by an old staff of Institute of Agricultural research, the MD affirmed that they were attracted by the automated garment factory in the state, the complete value chain and the quick cash flow generation as well as the receptive nature of the people to investors.
Nigeria project manager of a Chinese firm, Ruyi Science and Technology group, Wu Xingtao, assured that his group found in Cross River State government a serious partner to do business with, accommodating and determined to develope the state garment factory with required raw materials, hence the need for the partnership.
Xingtao said: "We have plans to build textile factory in Nigeria, that means we need plenty cotton. We want to get plenty cotton from Nigeria and not to import so we are partnering with Cross River State government to make our textile factory easy."
Affirming the Chinese firm's doggedness to deliver, Facilitator/Director of the cotton farm project, High Chief Gabriel Umodem, disclosed that "we saw their projection in Australia and Pakistan and that is what we want to repeat here. All of them don't have the market that we have as the Nigerian market is too much. If you add that to the AGOA initiative, it means they come from China, produce in Nigeria and ship to America, so, Woda is going to be on the world map in terms of expansion.
"We promise that before the Carnival, a trailer load of a minimum of 30 tons of raw cotton will arrive the Calabar Garment Factory from our 2,000 hectares farm in Woda, Yala to show the world.
"Our technical partners are proposing a textile industrial park in Calabar that will produce 300 million meters capacity of fabrics per annum and the idea is that, they are overloaded back home, so, the Nigerian quota from their factory will come from Cross River."
He also assured that "we are not just doing cotton, we will gin, weave and intend to take over the garment factory and run it internationally."
On the community's support for Ayade's backward integration initiative, community leader and former National Assembly member, Hon Christopher Inyila Eriba said: "If we have land to offer, that will be our little contribution towards the agricultural revolution. At a time like this, in order to cope with economic recession with a lot of young graduates who need skill acquisition, it is expected that going into this kind of venture will give them that leverage and training."
> Eriba added that "the community leaders, women and youths are happy, ready and in support of this project that will tremendously touch our lives. We pray that government should accomplish this laudable program."
> Chanting "Ayade is a miracle worker", "Ayade is God sent", the youths of Woda said tbeirjou knew no bounds as the governor was making meaning out of their lives. They particularly thanked Ayade for establishing the cotton farm in Yala Local Government Area of the state.
> Head, CRS Project monitoring office of Nigeria Incentive Based Risk sharing system, Mr. Uduzeli Progress, informed that his group was considering the type of model that will be suitable for the program.
> "We have two models. One is called farm smart where you open a farm with large hectares of land, bring youths together, open a farm for them and monitor them. We also have the anchors borrowers program by the CBN. In this case, we partner with CBN to access loans and give to farmers. So, we are thinking of which model that will suit this program."
>

Ayade orders payment of gratuities, salaries with Paris Club refund  


The Cross River State Government says the N6 billion and seventy five million naira Paris Club refund recently released to the state by the Federal Government would be used basically for payment of gratuity and salaries of public and civil servants in the state.
The state's Head of service, Mr Ekpenyong Henshaw disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Calabar at the weekend.
According to the Head of Service, "our  Governor Prof. Ben Ayade is desirous of paying all outstanding arrears owed civil servants by the previous administrations because he has their  interest at heart. 

"He is ready to do anything within his power to ensure  their salaries and other lawful entitlements are paid as and when due." Consequently, Henshaw said "the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant General to immediately commence processes for the payment of gratuity to 2014 retirees as we round up payment to 2013 retirees."  

On the fate of those who are yet to receive their entitlement particularly workers at the local government service, The Head of Service assured that everyone is being carried along saying that "all duly earned gratuities, salaries and pensions by civil servant would be paid subsequently."
He urged workers not to relent in contributing their quota to the development of the state now that the government is more than ever ready to enthrone the needed reform agenda that will promote efficiency to enhance good governance.  

"Governor Ben Ayade places high premium on welfare of civil servants," he said, adding that "the state government is commited in ensuring that it builds a workforce that can compete favourably with their contemporaries at the world arena."

Excitement as Ayade provides steady power supply in Obudu

Small scale entreprises and business outlets in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State are in celebratory mood as the council now boasts over 10-hour supply of electricity daily.
The boost in power supply in Obudu Council area is one of Governor Ben Ayade's initiative to enhance steady adequate power in the state as part of his "Operation Light up Cross River Programme".
This is expected to be replicated in other seventeen local governments.
Until the new development, Obudu used to experience less than two hours of electricity supply from the national grid.
The pilot project which is an embedded power generating scheme started in 2016.
The power initiative is in fulfillment of Governor Ayade’s desire to supply power to the area and possibly increase their economic activities and the standard of living of the people.
While thanking the governor for his efforts at stimulating the economic activity of the council area, one of the residents, Mr. Emmanuel Agim who owns a mini-super market along  Main Market Road Obudu said: "My business has picked up steadily in the past few days as a result of the steady power supply from morning hours and evening."
Continuing, he said: "I can tell you that many business outfits can now satisfy their customers in the morning rush hours and conduct business late into the night upto 12 midnight before the light goes off for the day.
"I thank Governor Ayade for his great idea in conceptualizing and completing the project.
"Before now, business outfits had to rely on generating sets to power their premises but that is over now. If you come to Obudu at night, you will probably understand what I'm saying."
Similarly, another businessman Mr Adie Agba who owns a barbing saloon  along  Calabar Road said: "I must tell you that I am happy with this situation because it has saved a lot of us in our  business line from the headache of purchasing fuel to run our businesses which depends entirely on light to survive.
"You know that it is very embarrassing when sometimes your clients are waiting to be served and you run out of fuel. Oftentimes when you have not even made enough money to buy some liters of fuel and you are stranded, it can be frustrating."

JUSUN abandons NLC strike, asks members to resume work


Less than 24 hours after the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees  (NULGE) pulled out of the strike action in the state, the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has followed suit by asking its members to resume work tomorrow, Monday July 3rd.

A statement issued by the chairman of the union in the state, Comrade Asanya Asuquo Ebong said the decision was taken in the interest of the state.

Ebong explained that his union joined the strike on sympathy grounds and that it has decided to pull out of it forthwith.

The statement read in parts: "Having joined the strike action on sympathy grounds to an agency of NLC, the Joint Negotiating Council, JUSUN has done her bid so far in solidarity to the agency. 

"So, It has withdrawn from the said strike action forthwith as she is not a member of Joint Negotiating Council but affiliate of NLC. Therefore, normal work resumes in the Judiciary with effect from Monday, 3rd July, 2017. So,  all JUSUN members, indeed all Judiciary workers are to resume work as stated above."

Breaking news: NULGE pulls out of strike action in Cross River, directs workers to resume work on Monday.

The Current Labor Strike In Cross River State Is In Bad Faith

Last year, I wrote a similar treatise on the incessant strike actions by organized labor in Cross River State and more than a year after my perspective on the issue, nothing has changed.

Last week, labor leaders in Cross River State called workers of the state government out on a strike action which is currently on-going based on a few issues which the leadership has said the state government is yet to fulfill in its agreement.

Some of the issues include but are not limited to payment of gratuities to retired civil servants, promotion of some staff in the service and the on going staff verification and audit handled by consultants to the state government.

While one is not oblivious of the fact that a few unresolved issues exist, it is clear that the Cross River State Government under the leadership of Senator Ben Ayade remains the most labor friendly government in Nigeria even as the national leadership of the organized labor has so commended the governor for his prompt payment of workers salaries.

Upon taking over the reins of leadership in the state in 2015, Professor Ben Ayade worked assiduously to clear all outstanding salaries which were being owed by the previous administration and since then, the governor has paid salaries up to date even paying some months in advance of work done.

It is worthy of note that even when the state was still listed among oil producing states, and was getting the highest amount of federal allocation under former governor Donald Duke, state government workers were still owed salaries and those that got theirs were always coming to queue and sometimes even faint, at the defunct Standard Trust Bank in Calabar, in very strenious verification lines.

It is also worthy of note that the pensions and gratuities for which labor is at loggerhead with the present government were all incurred under the previous government which was still collecting higher sums of money, than the present government, from the federation account as well as higher IGR.

The story under Governor Ayade who is getting far less federal allocation and for some months now, zero allocation, due to deductions at source to service debts owed by previous governments, is that of payment of workers salaries in advance.

For this, the governor has earned himself the sobriquete "Salary Master".

At a time that some states are owing their workers salaries of up to 14 months, governor Ayade has not allowed the imbalance in the state's huge wage bill as against the far lesser income, to affect the salary of workers.

What then can possibly justify a strike action by the organized labor in the state in the light of these?

Even states where workers are owed up to 14 months arrears are not on strike but in Cross River where workers are not owed, labor insist on striking, leaving one to wonder if this is a sponsored strike action.

To put things more in perspective, it would interest one to know again that the monthly wage bill of the state far outstrips the monthly allocation accruing to the state, with internally generated revenue also dwindling.

It is clear that in order to meet this wage bill,  the state government has been ingeniously augmenting this shortfall to pay salaries alone.

Senator Ben Ayade's administration has faithfully paid these salaries  conscientiously for more than two years despite the recession.

Cross River State is also one of the only states in Nigeria that is giving promotions in recession, having promoted and appointed about 33 Permanent Secretaries in less than a year.

The state is also one of the only states giving mass promotions without examinations as required by the civil service rules because of the governor's desire to motivate the work force.

The questions one should ask then are, how is the state governor achieving all of these and is still able to make some developmental strides in the state?

Because even if you rely on the Paris Club refund, the money will still not have been enough to clear the backlogs.

Why is organized labor in the state, which not long ago named the governor as the, Most Labor Friendly Governor in Nigeria, being inconsiderate to the plight of the state and its numerous citizens?

The entire civil servants in Cross River State are a little over 33,000 which constitutes less than one percent of the population of the state, yet consume a hundred percent of the resources accruing to the state every month.

I do not need to emphasize the fact that the unproductive and over bloated nature of the civil service has been a challenge to the state government for many years.

Yet the state governor has remained committed to meeting the challenges of paying, as at when due, the salaries and remuneration of this small number of people to the detriment of the state and the larger number of citizens and residents of the state.

Maybe by paying salaries promptly and regularly, labor may have unwittingly formed the impression that there is a vault of money from where the governor is drawing money to pay them.

But it must be made clear that the resources of the state are for the benefit of not just civil servants but all citizens and indeed residents whom the state owes the responsibility of providing security, infrastructure, social security, good governance and development.

It is thus unreasonable for a small demographic of the state's population to expect that all the resources of the state must be expended on them. Indeed it is unattainable.

The Senator Ben Ayade Administration will continue in its strive to meet the demands of its workforce and make effort to build capacity in order to ensure greater productivity without reneging on its commitment to also meet the developmental needs of many other citizens of the state who deserve a share of the resources of the state.

The state government has agreed to the terms of the labor force in the state, has fulfilled more than eighty percent of the agreement and is indeed ready to do more and one will expect that the organized labor will reciprocate this gesture by calling of the strike and asking workers to return to work immediately.

The state governor has shown enough goodwill and indeed has been very tolerating of the antics of the leadership of organized labor in the state.

How would one explain the action of labor leaders who declared a strike and switched off their phones, after a late night meeting with the governor in his private residence where he aceeded to most of their demands?

How would one also explain the decision of labor to chose to go on strike on the eve of the visit of the Bakassi Deep Seaport Assesment Team, the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, the Minister of Women Affair, Senator Aisha Yusuf, the ICRC and delegations from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Ports Authority to do the final vetting of the deep seaport?

To take such actions and switch of their phones at a critical time they needed to have been reached for the amicable resolution of the issues at stake is nothing other than sabotage and an attempt to arm twist the government, which is unacceptable.

We are not unaware that the Nigeria Labor Congress Chairman in the state, Mr. John Ushie, who himself got double promotion from level 14 to level 16 under the Ayade government, no more qualifies to be part of the union, talk less of leading it, having been promoted to the senior cadre of the civil service in the state.

We are not also unaware that while still working with the state government, without a study leave, he went ahead to read Geology in the University of Calabar which is wrong by the civil service rules.

Mr. John Ushie, it must also be stated, has been working in the government printing press since he joined the service. The printing press has not worked for 25 years. One wonders what work John Ushie has been doing for government in a moribund printing press for 25 years to earn him promotion to level 16 in the civil service.

All these, the state government has overlooked in order for peace to reign.

Yet labor goes around sending inciting messages full of falsehood just to spite a government which has been so good to workers.

Going forward,  the state government may need to be firmer with labor as the honeymoon is over and may not need to over reach itself in order to meet their needs.

Something must have to give and as the state government continually makes commitment for the well being of its workers, we expect organized labor to also show goodwill and understanding.

God bless Cross River state.

NULGE celebrates Ayade for payment of salaries to workers


The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has commended Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for payment of salaries to local government workers in the state. 

NULGE National President, Mr Ibrahim kheel who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, said while states like Bayelsa where owing Local Government  workers about 10-16 months salaries in the state, with kogi owing 15months and Delta 8-14months respectively, Cross River has remained steadfast in its payment of Local Government workers. 

Mr Ibrahim went on to enumerate other states owing salaries as follows : Kaduna 12 months, Oyo 3-11 months, Edo 10 months, Abia 5-9 months, kwara 2-9 months, Benue 9 months and Nasarrawa 7 months. 

According to him, other states owing Local Government staff are: Ondo and Ekiti states 6 months each, Zamfara not implementing minimum wage, Adamawa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom Ebony, Plateau owing 4 months each, Taraba and FCT Abuja 3 montus each while Osun has been paying half salaries for 24 months.

The union noted that Ekiti has refused to remit union dues for the past 9 months and Ogun has not also remitted it's deduction for 7 months.   

The NULGE President further disclosed that only 700 workers were owed between 1-3 months in Cross River State and that this had to do with technical hitches during staff verification exercise.

"It is based on the above I want to say that Governor Ben Ayade's government is actually working compared to the aforementioned 23 states. Cross River State is the state with the least owed local government employees."

"Out of thousands of local government employees, only about 700 are owed between 1-3 months salaries. Please I think Ayade deserves a hand clap," Mr Ibrahim concluded.

Ayade: Cross River praying for Buhari

Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade says his government and the people of the state have ceaselessly been praying for President Muhammadu Buhari to regain his health and return to the country.

Ayade in an Eid-el-Fitr message congratulated the President and the Muslem Ulama on the occasion, stating that the people of his state were more encouraged by the message that underscores the celebration to pray for the President.

According to him, "as we celebrate this holy month of Ramadan, which is a commoneration of God's word in the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed, we in Cross River join our teeming Muslim brothers and sisters in our fervent prayers for our President's speedy recovery and a quick and safe return to continue the diligent and focused stewardship of the country.

"We pray God imbue our dear President with the strength, wisdom and long life to accomplish his vision of making Nigeria a truly organic society."

Ayade said the thirty days of soul purification and spiritual engagement embarked on by Muslim faithful should spark  a fire of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect amongst the citizenry in the country,  irrespective of tribe or religion.
"As we come together after 30 days of sacrifice through fasting, to celebrate the Eid-il-fitr, let me use the occasion to call for a demonstration of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect for all that humanity represents.
"It is important for every Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to seek the face of God in prayer and be the promoter of peace which the society needs at this challenging times we have found ourselves as a nation. 

"The moral lesson after the last 30 days is that we should emphasize issues that will strengthen us as a people and eschew hate and bigotry," the statement read.

Ayade: Cross River praying for Buhari

Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade says his government and the people of the state have ceaselessly been praying for President Muhammadu Buhari to regain his health and return to the country.

Ayade in an Eid-el-Fitr message congratulated the President and the Muslem Ulama on the occasion, stating that the people of his state were more encouraged by the message that underscores the celebration to pray for the President.

According to him, "as we celebrate this holy month of Ramadan, which is a commoneration of God's word in the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed, we in Cross River join our teeming Muslim brothers and sisters in our fervent prayers for our President's speedy recovery and a quick and safe return to continue the diligent and focused stewardship of the country.

"We pray God imbue our dear President with the strength, wisdom and long life to accomplish his vision of making Nigeria a truly organic society."

Ayade said the thirty days of soul purification and spiritual engagement embarked on by Muslim faithful should spark  a fire of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect amongst the citizenry in the country,  irrespective of tribe or religion.
"As we come together after 30 days of sacrifice through fasting, to celebrate the Eid-il-fitr, let me use the occasion to call for a demonstration of love, peace, understanding and mutual respect for all that humanity represents.
"It is important for every Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to seek the face of God in prayer and be the promoter of peace which the society needs at this challenging times we have found ourselves as a nation. 

"The moral lesson after the last 30 days is that we should emphasize issues that will strengthen us as a people and eschew hate and bigotry," the statement read.

A front line politician in Cross River State and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Florence Ita- Giwa, has poured cold water on alleged faceoff with the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade.
Speaking Wednesday on "Hit FM Breakfast show", a private radio station in Calabar, Ita-Giwa reiterated her respect for the governor.
According to Ita-Giwa, "I have no issues with the governor of my state for he is a man with a large heart. He has human feelings and has always displayed his love for the displaced people of Bakassi."
Continuing, Ita-Giwa who recently pitched her political tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC), said: "When the governor took German team to Bakassi, I was not there, but he was so touched by the plight of the returnees and that made him to weep openly."
Throwing more light on her cordial relationship with the governor, she intimated that "Governor Ben Ayade is the first governor to make a Bakassi indigene Commissioner. Based on my relationship with him (Ayade), I asked for seven slots of appointments, he gave me five and I have never hidden my appreciation for that gesture so received."
Ita-Giwa, reaffirmed her unflinching regards for the governor, urging desperate and overzealous politicians, as well as others who need cheap publicity, not to rubbish her relationship with the governor as he has never relented in embarking on issues that have tremendous impact on the people.
On her next step of action bordering on the allegation of diversion of relief materials by the displaced people of Bakassi, she said: "We will meet in court because they protested openly," adding that "the materials are in the police headquarters as we speak. Let us go and see them."

Ayade best women friendly Governor –Women Affairs Minister

Minister for women affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Al-Hassan, yesterday, described Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade as the best women friendly governor in the country.
Al-Hassan said the qualification is because of Ayade's commitment and passion to alleviating the plights of women and children in the state.
The Minister who disclosed this in Calabar when she paid a
courtesy visit on Governor Ayade at the Executive Council Chamber of
the Governor’s office, also dubbed him a champion of women.
A former colleague of Governor Ayade in the 7th senate, stated: “l want to thank you most
sincerely. We have been hearing from the Commissioner for Women Affairs and other women
from Cross River state, what you are doing for the women. You are doing well for both the women and children.
"The garment factory is a masterstroke for women as over over 90 percent of the employees of the garment factory are women. So you are a champion of the Nigerian women, not just Cross River women.
"You are a champion of Nigerian women because Cross River women are part of
Nigeria women."
The minister, who was in the state to sensitize the
government on five social intervention programs of the federal government of which, four had taken off, stressed that for the federal government programes to succeed in the state, it must partner with the state government.
Her words: "l am here to tell the women of Cross River State about the many programmes the federal government has initiated for them, and what the federal government has for them."
On the importance of a partnership with the state governments, the minister said: “The federal government is for everybody, but 95 percent of
the governed reside in the states, therefore, for the federal
government programs to succeed, for it to get to the Nigerian people for whom the programs are meant for, we have to collaborate with the
states and that is why l have come here today from Akwa lbom state to collaborate with the state, most especially the women affairs ministry to see that Cross River women key into the federal government
programmes that relate to them as this is time for governance not politics."
Senator Al-Hassan, who used the opportunity of the visit to appeal to Governor Ayade to key Cross River state into the home grown feeding programme of the federal government, said the benefits
are enormous.
According to her, "l appeal to your Excellency to introduce one of the programmes, which is the home grown school feeding program."
According to her, "the
advantages are enormous. It is home-grown school feeding because the food stuffs that will be used to cook for the children will be foods
that are grown around the schools area. The cook will also be women who
are idle in the village. They will be employed for this purpose.
"The other one is N-power which keeps youths out of cultism and other
social vices."
In his response, Governor Ayade commended President Buhari for appointing Senator El-Hassan as Minister for women affairs and Social
Development, particularly for discovering her great potentials to serve the women of the country.
Governor Ayade assured her that the state will soon key into the home grown school feeding programme, noting that it was a great program.
Governor Ayade revealed that the state will soon set up its own version of the school feeding programme and commended the Minister for
her commitment and passion at ensuring the partnership with the state governments to achieve the federal government program.

Governor Ayade lift embargo on promotion

The State Governor Prof Ben Ayade has lifted the embargo on the promotion of deserving civil/ public servants and has approved the implementation of a recent agreement entered with labour in the state .
The embargo on promotion has been at the centre of the ongoing strike action by the organised labour in the state.
The governor's order for the lifting of the embargo was contained in a letter issued in Calabar and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Tina Banku Agbor ref.SSG/GSA/S/81/S.1/VOL.V1/879 dated 16thJune2017 and addressed to the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission.
The letter reads in part" in view of His Excellency the Governor's concern for the welfare of workers I have directives to convey his approval for the implementation of the agreement and MoU signed between the organised labour and the Government of Cross River state in a meeting held on the 30th of may 2017"
The letter which also made reference to an earlier letter which had some conditionalities before the release of letters of promotion had drawn the irk of labour leading to a declaration of indefinite strike in the state by workers.
The letter also carried an attachment of the agreement and MoU for guidance of the commission. A copy of the letter was also endorsed to the Head of Service, The Special Adviser Labour and productivity , The Accountant General and the Auditor General for information.

Ita-Giwa diversionary antics 

The Cross River State Government has described as diversionary, allegation by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa that the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade is shielding some government officials she accused of diverting relief materials meant for the displaced people of Bakassi.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to governor, Christian Ita, accused Ita-Giwa of attempt to divert attention from counter-claim by some indigenes of Bakassi accusing her of age-long diversion of materials and the resettlement fund meant for the rehabilitation of the people.
“Rather than respond to the claim by Bakassi indigenes that she has over the years been diverting their relief materials and funds, Senator Ita-Giwa has resorted to blackmail the governor in a bid to divert attention from the grievous allegations against her.
“Last Christmas, the governor sent 300 bags of rice and other items to the displaced people of Bakassi. Because it was channeled through her, nobody heard anything about it.”
The statement added that her grouse this time is that the relief materials were not channeled through her, “hence the heavens must fall.”
“It is instructive to state that following her allegation, the Department of State Services (DSS) swung into action and after a thorough investigation, concluded that the former presidential adviser could not substantiate her claim. This rendered her false accusation useless.”
It said by the outcome of the DSS investigation, Senator Ita-Giwa has publicly embarrassed herself.
While describing the entire episode as unfortunate, the statement said it was however, not surprising by the “antics of Ita-Giwa who once boasted that she uses the media and the Police whenever she seeks relevance.”
The statement added further that "the Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade is too busy trying to provide developmental projects for the people of Bakassi; some of which are the Bakassi social housing project, Deep Seaport among others than join issues with Ita-Giwa who is seeking relevance at any given opportunity,” the statement concluded.

Governor Ayade Bags Tell Magazine Governor Of The Year Award for the year 2016

Presidential Amnesty Program to partner Calabar Garment Factory  on skills acquisition

As part of efforts to fully re-integrate the Niger Delta militants back into the society, the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) is to partner the Cross River State Garment Factory in the areas of skills acquisition.
Disclosing the planned partnership  with the Cross River government, in Calabar, after embarking  on an inspection of the factory and other ongoing projects at the Ayade Industrial City, Co-ordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program, Bridgadier-General Paul Boroh (rtd), said: "There is no doubt that the program and my office will partner with Cross River State on this huge project."
According to Boroh, the Presidential Amnesty Program as you know, is in the re-integration phase and what we are focusing now is on agriculture and skills acquisition.’'
After inspecting the facility, Boroh charged governors of other states  to take a cue from what Ayade is doing, noting that with what the governor was doing, Nigeria will be in the forefront of  food security, job creation and wealth achievement in no distant future.
"I cannot but continue to appreciate his Excellency for what he is doing and he needs all our support because he sat down and thought about it very well," the amnesty coordinator commended Ayade.
He noted that the Calabar garment factory has the capacity to produce uniforms for the military and paramilitary organisations in the country.
According to him, "we are particularly excited with we saw at the garment factory. What we saw there we have never seen it anywhere for a long time now in Africa.
"The Nigerian Army Ordinance depot has a smaller version of this, we are very confident that this factory  can produce all the uniforms of the Nigerian army, the Nigeria paramilitary as well as  the security agencies needed if well managed. And l am very convinced that  with  Ayade, it can be achieved."

Electricity regulator, NERC, directs Nigerians without prepaid meters to stop paying bills - Premium Times Nigeria
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/233653-electricity-regulator-nerc-directs-nigerians-without-prepaid-meters-to-stop-paying-bills.html

C/River Royal fathers, elders laud Ayade on developmental strides

Prominent  royal fathers and elders in Cross River State  have praised the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade for what they described as giant strides recorded in the state in the last two years of his administration.
Offering their commendations recently at different town hall meetings in Calabar, the state capital, the elders and chiefs maintained that after a critical assessment of the projects, programmes and policies of the governor, particularly the Calabar Garment Factory that has already employed over three thousand Cross Riverians, mostly women, Ayade would not have come at a better time than now.
According to them, "the projects conceived by Ayade's administration are such that will transform the socio-economic landscape of the state."
Speaking on behalf of other paramount rulers from the 17 local government areas of the state, the Ndidem of the Quos and Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality, Ndidem Patrick Ika Oqua stated: "Everyone who follows the trend in the state will appreciate Governor Ayade's effort especially his ability to sustain the payment of salaries from the inception of his administration to date. I think, Ayade deserves an applause for all these developmental strides.”
While appealing to the Federal Government to consider possible ways of compensating the state for the loss of Bakassi and consequently reallocating its 76 oil wells, the royal father pointed out that "Cross River cannot continue to bear the harsh impacts of an action that was not  caused by it but by the federal government. Therefore, the state should be allowed thw leeway to explore other sources of generating revenues such as on our roads and waterways."
He particularly mentioned the activities of tank farms operators  in Calabar who have refused to pay some levies for opeeating in the state.
Ika Oqua further noted: "The operators and indeed the Federal Government must explore possible ways of extending little benefits to the state to enable it maintain its critical infrastructure like roads."
Speaking at a meeting between the Elders Forum and the governor,  Mrs. Grace Eyo-Ita praised the governor for his untiring effort in luring investors to the state in just two years in office. 

She added that Ayade's many trips openly criticised by his critics have today been translated into concrete and visible projects on ground that will directly benefit the people.
Her words: “With all your running round the world, I can see clearly that you are building tomorrow's Cross River for generations now and yet unborn. As elders, some of us will also live to see and even benefit in the actualization of some of the projects which are at various stages of completion and we sincerely thank you.
"Let me say sir, that we acknowledge your selflessness and pragmatic efforts in building Cross River State of our dream and we can only pray God to give you strength and resources to actualize your laudable projects and programmes which are geared towards improving the living conditions of the people.”
Responding, Governor Ayade thanked the chiefs and elders in the state for the show of love and appreciation for the programmes and projects of his administration, explaining that "I offered myself as a sacrificial lamb to lay solid foundation for a new Cross River that wi'll be  financially independent.
“I have an eight year agenda and the agenda is to put an end to Cross River State ever needing money from Abuja.
"If I’m the one who will pay the price and lay the foundation for the next administration, I will gladly play that role.”
Lamenting his ordeal occasioned by lean resources to the state from the federation account, making execution of projects practically impossible, Ayade disclosed that "Cross River State is in captivity. A state that has been reduced to wants in body, spirit and soul,” disclosing he was embarking on projects that would  eventually decouple the state from the federation account which making.
“Cross River State got just N4.2 billion cumulatively in the last quarter, in the face of a wage bill of over N5 billion monthly. That is the challenge I met and still tackling till now. I have more emotional stress than ever just to keep salaries flowing.”
Continuing he said: “When I came in as governor, we were besieged by challenges of having a state where all its oil wells were taken and Bakassi gone, out of 13% derivation and now a weeping child in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) coupled with miserable allocation sometimes zero allocation monthly.
"I came in at a very perilous time but I enjoy it because my poverty background has made me that strong man that the state needs at this critical time to manage its almost non-existing resources but having a people with intellectual capacity to transform its status.”
Ayade listed some of the ongoing projects which he solicited their buy-in to include the 274km superhighway, the 134km Yala-Obudu dual carriage road, the Calapharm, Rice City and the new cities projects, adding that “In Ikom, we are setting up the biggest cocoa processing plant/exchange centers where government will be buying cocoa directly from the farmers to add value to their effort."

Governor Ayade is not called The salary master for nothing...

We're set for Acting President' s visit -Ayade

Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Tuesday said the stage is set to receive the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo's visit to the state.
Ayade stated this in Calabar yesterday, while fielding questions from newsmen on the planned visit of Osinbajo scheduled for Thursday this week.
"We are working day and night to ensure that the Acting President takes a guided tour around the pharmaceutical industry and the Ayade industrial park, Calabar International Convention Centre, Monorail and Power plant among others to see all we have accomplished within two years and the galaxy of our achievements within the limits of what we have," the governor intimated.
Continuing, Ayade said: "As we are running up and down in preparation of the visit, it gives us an opportunity to calibrate our efforts and look at what we have done and see where we need structural changes and certain framework that we need to institute, while we prepare for his reception."
Reasoning that his administration will continue to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state, the governor added that the concept of creating jobs is going to be different especially with the advent of the pharmaceutical industry which in the next three months, will be ready.
Ayade also said: "We can't be tourism service suppliers, we want to be tourists ourselves in our state. That means we must commoditise government to bring money as well as add value," pointing out that, "we must bring in areas of core needs of the Ayadesian theory, not just putting food on your table, but putting a hoe in your hands."
While appreciating God for sparing the nation and keeping it together as an indivisible entity as Nigeria marks 18 years of uninterrupted democracy, Ayade enjoined those in governance to do all they can, so as to gain economic democracy.

AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN THE CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT AND ORGANISED LABOUR IN THE STATE ON TUESDAY, 30th MAY, 2017
Arising from the industrial action declared by the Organised Labour in Cross River State, the Governor, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade convened a meeting chaired by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu OFR, to resolve the issues. Participants at the meeting included, top Government functionaries, and members of Organised Labour (NLC, TUC and JNC).
At the end of the meeting the following resolutions were reached for implementation:
1. Promotion exercise of deserving Civil/Public servants shall resume forthwith and letters released while financial implications will be worked out by the Head of Service and Commissioner for Finance for His Excellency’s consideration.
2. Every aspect of Payroll Consultancy should be domiciled in Cross Rive State including the servers and the personnel.
3. The Commissioner for Finance, Accountant General and Labour are to investigate the actual deductions from salaries of staff and stop same if confirmed.
4. The Report of Verification and Audit exercise by the Payroll Consultant shall be made available to Labour by the Commissioner for Finance.
5. Full payment of outstanding Gratuity of retirees in the state civil/public service for the period June – December, 2013 shall be made while outstanding gratuities for the year 2014 is to be computed for consideration.
6. Payment of monthly imprest to MDAs to be released 1st week of every month while that of May, 2017 is to be paid immediately.
7. His Excellency has approved the operation of motor parks on 50/50 basis between NURTW and other parties particularly at Etim Edem Motor Park and other parks in Calabar. However, the matter is to be referred by the SSG to the Executive Council for final resolution within two weeks.
8. Full payment of salaries of newly appointed Permanent Secretaries should take effect from June, 2017 while the arrears should be worked out for Payment and appointment letters released forthwith.
9. Labour to produce a List of all unpaid staff of LGAs and Primary School teachers to Government through the Commissioner for Finance for verification and payment.
10. All deductions be paid to beneficiaries immediately after payment of monthly salaries
11. All other outstanding issues to be addressed in due course.
12. No worker shall be victimized for his or her role in the planned industrial action.
13. The intended industrial action by Organised Labour is hereby shelved.

DATED AT CALABAR, THIS 30TH DAY OF MAY 2017

GOVERNMENT SIDE:

EkpenyongI. Henshaw Barr. Tina Agbor
Head of Service Secretary to State Government

Mr. AsuquoEkpenyong - Jnr Mrs. PerpetuaAji
Commissioner for Finance Perm. Sect., Dept of Labour& Productivity

LABOUR SIDE:

Comrade John O. Ushie Comrade Clarkson Otu
State Chairman, NLC Chairman, TUC

Comrade EdimOyongha Comrade Julius M. Nkoji
Chairman, SPSNC Secretary, SPSNC

Chief ItaAyi Comrade George N. Umoh
Secretary, NLC Secretary, TUC

Ayade appoints new Permanent Secretary, charges her to digitalize the state.



Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has administered oath of
office on a new Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bibiana Okpo, with a charge
on her not to compromise the onerous task ahead of her for personal
aggrandizement.

Administering the oaths of denunciation of secret cult, allegiance
and office, Friday, at the State Executive Chambers, Governor’s
Office, Calabar, to Mrs. Okpo as the 31st Permanent Secretary sworn-in
within three months, governor Ayade informed her that she is saddled
with the responsibility to ensure that the ICT and Smart City projects
commence smoothly to realize the vision of government to digitalize
the state.

"Your primary and first assignment is to start the ICT and smart city
backbones in Calabar, so you see, you have to be very digital and I
know you are digital because your first assignment is to digitalize
Cross River,” adding Ayade prayed God to bless and direct Mrs. Okpo in
her new assignment, and said, "I am happy that you have reached the
pinnacle of your profession, so, the younger ones learning under you
should be able to pick from your experience as well as grow and
strengthen the Cross River Civil Service."

Governor Ayade also said that it was a very special moment and day for
Mrs. Okpo and family especially as the attention of the entire State
Executive members was dedicated to her alone,

Responding, Mrs. Okpo averred, “I thank you for appointing me as
Permanent Secretary. I have lost hope but the Almighty God used you as
an instrument to appoint me. I will continue to give you my best as I
have always done."

Earlier, Cross River State Head of Service, Barr. Ekpenyong Henshaw,
intimated that the appointment by the governor was in line with the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the need to reward
hard work.

The event was witnessed by the state Deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu,
the Chief of Staff, Martin Orim as well as members of the state
executive council.

It would be recalled that about three months ago governor Ayade,
administered oath of office on 30 Permanent Secretaries.

Until her recent appointment and redeployment to the Ministry of ICT,
Mrs. Bibiana Okpo was a Director, (Budgets) in the State House of
Assembly, after her redeployment as Director, Department of Budget,
Monitoring and Evaluation, Governor’s Office, Calabar.

Ayade, ex-Milads plant trees to mark Cross River at 50

As part of events to mark Cross River State at 50, the governor, Prof Ben Ayade, former military administrators Col. Umaru Ahmed and Navy Capt. Ibim Princewill, took turns to plant trees, at the Ayade industrial park in Calabar.
Also participating in the tree planting exercise were the deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, acting Chief Judge, Hon Michael Edem, members of the state executive council, Secretary to the state government, Barr Tina Banku Agbor, Head of Service, Ekpenyong Henshaw, among others.
Flagging off the event, Ayade said: "The new trend is greenery, the world has gone green and so, Cross River State being the leading state in Nigeria will definetly have to lead the trend," adding that "we are focusing on green environment as a cardinal message that Cross River state is again taking the lead."
The governor who expressed deep conviction about the importance of tree planting maintained: "I will like to be part of history as I do know that in 50 years' time when Cross River State will be turning 100 years, I will not be here but I pray God that the tree should live so that in my absence the tree will represent me, for as mortals, one day we shall return to our creator."
Ayade remarked that as the state turns 50, with its numerous potentials aimed at redefining Nigeria, the people must change their steps and strategies to sustain the pride of the state which is the envy of others.
Urging the citizenry to key into the state policy of maintaining an evergreen environment as witnessed in Singapore, the governor said: "I believe that beyond 50, everybody owes a duty to the state to plant a tree. You must go out today and plant a tree, if you have not gotten one to plant here, please as soon as you get to your abode, plant one tree."
Ayade used the opportunity created by the event to laud the efforts of the former governors who he intimated "made it possible for us to have this pride to celebrate our 50th birthday."
Earlier, Cross River Commissioner for Climate Change, Dr Alice Ekwu, disclosed that the governor chose the tree planting exercise to mark the 50th anniversary in a bid to green the land, adding that, he also delineated every street in Calabar to each appointee to plant a tree.

Poor federal allocation and Ayade's magic in Cross River

There is outrage in Cross River following the disclosure of federal allocation to the state in the first quarter of 2017 by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.
As disclosed by the Finance Minister and reported by most media outlets across the country, Cross River State got N4.28 billion in three months. Only Osun State got something lower.
A breakdown of the allocation translates to N1.4 billion monthly, an amount that cannot pay salaries of local government workers, talkless of paying the entire state workforce, which wage bill is put at over N5 billion.
No doubt, the figure is an improvement from the previous allocations where the state consistently received zero allocations in the last three quarters of 2016"
That is the reality facing Cross River, reality that is made more difficult to accept given that some of its sister states got close to N40 billion in the same period.
It is amazing how in spite of such poor federal allocation, the Ben Ayade led government is not behind in payment of salaries.
If anything, the governor has commonized payment of salaries.
Apart from payment of salaries, the Ayade administration has gone about diligently executing projects aimed at not only providing jobs to the teeming mass, but also expanding and improving the state's revenue base.
The Calabar Garment Factory, Ikom and Itigidi water projects, Calabar Monorail, the Calabar International Convention Center are among some of the projects already completed by the Ayade led administration.
Other projects at various stages of completion include: the 21megawatt of power plant, the Calabar pharmaceutical Company (Calapharm), the Ogoja Rice Mill, Cocoa Processing Plant in Ikom, 145 kilometre-dual carriage highway that cuts across the five local governments in northern part of the state. 
There is also an ongoing road project being constructed to, for the first time, link Eastern and Western Boki, the Mbaobui road in Akamkpa amongst others.
Several schools across the state have been given complete rehabilitation through SUBEB, Primary Healthcare Centres have also been rehabilitated.

He also expanded government with a view to putting food on the table for a greater number of people.
All these achievements and others too numerous to mention, have been recorded in just two years in spite of the poor and lean revenue allocation to the state by the Federal Government. As we speak, the design for the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the superhighway is completed, even as the government still awaits the EIA approval from the federal authorities. 

How Ayade has been able to achieve so much with very little resources at his disposal remains a mystery. It is no wonder that some sections of the state call him a magician.
Instructively, it is not what he is called or described in the state that is significant here. What is rather worthy of note is his diehard resilience to bring about a difference in governance architecture by adopting a paradigm shift.
Part of these dynamics is the governor's call for a collective sacrifice from Cross Riverians, particularly his appointees. Much as it is difficult to swallow, virtually every of his appointee has come to appreciate the direction he is navigating the state and its economy towards. 
For instance, while his colleagues in other states travel with a large retinue of aides whenever they are outside their states, Ayade hops into the aircraft alone with his luggage in his hand. This is part of the cut saving measures he has introduced, in addition to the collective understanding by his appointees and himself for their salaries to be halved. How much sacrifice can a leader make in order to appease his people?
In addition to sustaining the momentum of ramping up the revenue base of the state, Ayade has looked inward to ensure that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is improved upon. Those who should pay tax are made to pay their taxes with the strengthening of state's revenue generation agency, Cross River Internal Revenue Service.
In the same vein, the administration has exempted low income earners and the vulnerable in the society from paying taxes.
His drive to enhance the state's revenue base has however, often met with stubborn and belligerent resistance from some segments of the business public.
The current withdrawal of services by Petroleum Tank Farm Owners, the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Association and others is one clear example.
 Unicem has over the years been paying road maintenance levy, which assists the state to maintain its road infrastructure. However, efforts to get operators of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to act responsibly in similar manner  is what has led to the withdrawal of services by the group.
The question that is begging for an answer is: is it no longer worthy that what is sauce for the goose no longer sauce for the gander? If unicem and other such entities are paying this levy to help the state stay afloat, what is wrong with the operators in the petroleum sub-sector doing same?
Every day, thousands of trucks enter Calabar to lift petroleum products to several states. The damage done on the roads is incalculable.
It is, rather ironic that elsewhere, such levies are compliantly being paid to state governments where tank farms are sited. So why the outrage from operators in Cross River? 
No doubt, this systemic institutional shortchange ha become a matter of deliberate effort to stifle our collective drive to grow our local economy.  So, paying a levy to ensure the state keeps the road motorable should not induce a call to arms. Rather, it is a time for all to pull together in one direction. Failing to do this, the fate that has befallen Apapa in Lagos, awaits us.

Special announcement


Gov Ayade appoints Adede Special Adviser on Revenue Mobilization 


The state governor, His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, has approved the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Adede as his Special Adviser on Revenue Mobilization. 


The appointment of Ms Adede, a retired Permanent Secretary, is with immediate effect. 


Signed

Christian Ita 

SSA Media and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Ayade reads riot act to environmental defaulters, renames Green Police

Cross River Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has warned residents to ensure that the state’s cleanliness and greenary status is sustained or be ready to face prosecution.
Ayade gave the warning recently when he formally announced the change of name of the state's non armed bearing outfit, the Green Police to Green Sheriff.
"Cross River is the cleanest state in Nigeria and unarguably the tourism destination of the country, it is imperative that the cleanliness needs to be sustained. In doing this, my administration has made it very clear that we will have zero tolerance for an untidy environment as we lay emphasis on cleanliness, knowing full well that cleanliness is next to Godliness," the governor remarked.
He intimated that the new outfit "Green Sheriff" must serve as an environmental neighborhood watch by ensuring that every resident of the state and Calabar in particular keeps his or her environment very clean." He added that those who own property in Calabar must keep their environment tidy.
According to the governor, "If you are seen littering or dropping sweet wrapper, you will be picked up by Green Sheriff. So ensure that there is no littering as the greenery of Calabar must be sustained."
The governor who disclosed that Calabar has been divided into 39 segments with contractors attached to sustain the environmental policy, posited that "we must maintain that dignity, image, class and elegance that Calabar is indeed the cleanest city."
He explained that "the Green Sheriff's responsibilities will include general sanitation check, nursing and planting of trees, ensuring that refuse bins are evacuated as and when due, report erring wastes evacuation contractors as well as arrest persons who litter the environment."
Other roles the governor enumerated were to stop deforestation, afforestation supervision while ensuring that irrigation contractors water all trees.
Ayade enjoined the marshals to liase with the State Security Adviser and the Commissioners for climate change and Environment to ensure that culprits are arrested and prosecuted according to the stipulated laws.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of operational vehicles to the marshals.

NYSC: Change of Orientation Venue in Cross River State

This is to inform all Prospective Corps Members deployed to Cross River State in the 2017 Batch ‘A’ (Stream One) that the venue of their Orientation course is now CROSS RIVER STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AKAMKPA, CROSS RIVER STATE and not the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Obubra, as indicated in their Call-up Letters.

All Prospective Corps Members deployed to Cross River State are, therefore, requested to report for camping at the new venue.