The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Hon. Maria Akwaji Set To Empower Constituents As She Inaugurates Committee To Mark One Year Funeral Anniversary Of Her Husband

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Member representing Obudu State constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Akwaji is set to empower 60 constituents as she marks one year funeral anniversary of her departed husband, late Hon. Dr. Godwin Akwaji.

    Hon. Maria Akwaji disclosed this during the inauguration of the committee to plan the event.

    Speaking during the inauguration, the lawmaker intimated the committee that “by June, 18th 2021, it will be one year since my dear husband departed and bearing in mind that by June, it will be six months when my constituents overwhelmingly voted me to continue the work my husband had started, I have decided to use the opportunity to do a thank you visit during the anniversary.

    “As part of the activities to mark the one year funeral anniversary, I want to undertake a mini empowerment: To get 20 youths, two from each ward and train them on skills that could be undertaken within three months and provide them with startup kits.
    Secondly, to identify 20 women/widows that are currently into petty business and support them with #20,000.00 each. Thirdly, to support 20 farmers with fertilizer as we go into farming season.

    Inaugurating the committee, Hon. Mrs. Akwaji charged members of the committee to put in their best for the realization of her dreams. “I believe that the people I invited can assist me to plan the event and so I commission the committee to begin work, she added.

    Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman, Hon. Peter Okaba thanked the lawmaker for the confidence reposed on him and the committee and promised to coordinate the committee to achieve desired result. He however, observed that the committee should be composed of at least one person from each ward.

    Composition of the committee

    Hon. Peter Okaba (Chairman) – Ukpe ward
    Mrs. Kate Ajibike – Urban ii
    Hon. Alorye Adigeb – Urban I
    Hon. Philip Ikpah – Alege/Ubang
    Hon. Sunday Inyali – Utugwang North
    Hon. Sylvester Agabi – Utugwang South
    Mr. Emmanuel Utande – Begiading
    Hon. Frank Agim – Ipong
    Mr. Phydel Aben – Utugwang Central
    Hon. Tony Adah
    Mr. Jeffrey Adamade
    Comr. Elijah Ugani
    Hon. Emmanuel Akwagiobe (Secretary) – Angiaba/Begiaka Ward.

    Recall that Hon. Mrs. Maria Akwaji was elected to replace her late husband, Hon. Goodwin Akwaji of blessed memory, as member of the Criss River State House of Assembly, Obudu state constituency, on December 5th, 2020.

    She is barely four months in office as a legislator.

  • Inyang Asibong Calls For New Response Strategy To Refugees Situation As UNHCR Partners CRSG.

     

     

    The Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation Dr Inyang Asibong, has urged the United Nation’s Organization in charge of Refugees UNHCR, to evolve new strategies of partnership with the state with a view to bring about proper response to refugees challenges.

    The Commissioner made this known when Officials of UNHCR paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry.

    Receiving a team of UNHCR Officials in her office, the Commissioner said as a Ministry that mediates between the State Government and International Organizations working in the State, it was necessary to profile the activities of the Organization as it relates to refugees.

    Dr Asibong emphasized that as a UN Agency that handles affairs of the displaced persons especially within the African region, UNHCR owes it as a duty, to make available their programs and projects.

    “I want to say welcome, and thank you for coming, UNHCR has been working in Cross River State, I know that you’re doing very well. I’ve severally been to the Refugee settlement you have in Ogoja”

    The Commissioner further explained that the Ministry’s mandate was to coordinate activities of Development Partners. She used the occasion to request UNHCR to review its response approach to enable the state government key into its plan for effective partnership to ameliorate the plight of the refugees in the state.

    Speaking earlier on the essence of the visit, the head of UNHCR office in Cross River Mr Tesfaye Bekele, stated that Cross River is one of the few states where refugees are treated with dignity as brothers and sisters, because of the pragmatic leadership of the Governor, Prof Ben Ayade.

    Mr. Bekele averred that “Honestly speaking, this is commendable, we are happy about it. We’ll continue to cooperate with the State Government, but we need your support”

    Mr Tesfaye also noted that UNHCR needs expansion and currently has presence in Ogoja, Cross River State, Benue, Taraba and wherever there are refugees. He explained that the Organization which has its operational office in Ogoja currently, oversees all refugees programs including the Cameroon refugees program in the states of Cross River, Taraba and Benue. He said the choice of Ogoja was because that is where the Organization has the largest number of refugees. The Head of Sub office agreed on an MOU to be entered into, to improve on support from the State Government.

    In attendance at the meeting were, the Head of Sub office Mr Tesfaye Bekele; UNHCR Protection Officer, Jonathan Darko and Christopher Mubanga, the Head of Calabar Field Office.
    Others were the Permanent Secretary of MIDC, Mr Akwaji Timothy, and Directors in the MIDC.

    Highpoint of the visit was the delineation of an MOU between the Ministry and UNHCR.

  • Jedy Is Revitalizing Calabar EPZ, Obudu Ranch Resort For Increased Economic Activities

     

    Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, Honourable Minister of State, Power and member, representing Cross River State in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has strategically, stepped up efforts to boost the state’s economy by revivinng some key economic centres in the state through electricity.

    The facilities; Obudu Ranch Resort and the Calabar Export Processing Zone
    have been identified as critical infrastructures with the potentials to turnaround the state’s economy if properly harnessed.

    Last month, the Minister had a major breakthrough in his efforts when he inaugurated a 60KVA solar mini-grid power plant at the Obudu Ranch Resort as well as performed a ground breaking for the construction of another 100KVA solar mini-grid power plant at the Bottom Hill axis of the resort in Obanliku local government area of the state to boost electricity supply in the tourists area.

    Folorunsho Coker, the Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) while reacting to the development said that the development would reduce the cost of electricity.

    Coker said that, “The multiplier effect of the injection of solar hybrid energy into the Obudu Ranch Resort tourism asset is well known. It is a revolution. Water can now be sucked and processed and pumped. The cost of power is averaged downwards. Larger stock of perishables can now be held as refridgerated stock. Communications is now uninterrupted. Entertainment specials are now feasible”.

    While noting that with the improved electricity, the resort now needs a token investment to upgrade its fixtures and fittings, he urged the state government to to repair the existing Donald Duke Aistrips as well as the cable car to render services to locals and guests.

    Similarly, two months ago, through the collaborative efforts of the Minister with his colleagues, the FEC approved the sum of N35 billion for the building of dedicated power stations in Calabar and Kano Export Processing Zones.

    The contract for the construction of the power stations in the two export zones have been awarded to Messers Mutual Commitment Nigeria Limited. It would be jointly funded by Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPA) and the company in the ratio of 25 to 75 percent.

    The plant is expected to be completed in two years and operated for ten years by the contractors. Within this period, no fewer than 100 Cross Riverians are expected to be trained and built capacity to took charge of the maintenance.

    The project which is done in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is geared at making the export zone more attractive for investors. The 24-hour electricity which would be guaranteed on completion of the project is to serve as incentive to pursuade investors to the zones.

    Cross River is not blessed with many industries or luxury of commercial centres like Kano or most states of the federation hence, making the few existing ones function to their capacities is a step in the right direction.

    Speaking, the Minister said that electricity is the main driver and the most effective tool to stimulate rapid economic growth and development.

    He explained that while he understands that his responsibility is not limited to his state, Cross River, he was taking advantage of every opportunity to ensure he attracts development to the state through electrifying key facilities to create jobs and boost economic activities.

    According to him “we are proud of our achievements. We’ve commissioned projects across the six geopolitical zones and still counting. We understand the place of adequate power supply in stimulating economic growth. This is why the government is investing heavily in the power sector. In my state, Cross River, we’re trying our best to boost economic activities. Just last week, we commissioned a dedicated power plant in the Obudu Ranch Resort and performed groundbreaking for another 100KVA plant.

    The Buhari administration is doing everything to improve all sectors of the economy. This is evident in the massive investment in power, roads, railway and other infrastructures. The Government also wants to make Nigeria number investment destination in Africa. This is why we’re building two power stations in the Calabar and Kano Export Processing Zones.

    With the 24-hour electricity to be enjoyed upon completion, we expect the influx of investments and investors into the area. The idea is to try as much as possible to revive and upgrade some of the existing infrastructures in the state and country through improved electricity “.

    Commending the Minister, governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2019, Mr. John Upan Odey said that” the efforts of the Minister to energize the Obudu Mountain Resort and the EPZ are highly commendable. I was at the ranch last weekend and was highly impressed.

    This is the kind of collaboration that we need to encourage amongst the tiers of government. The solar energy solution for the ranch will greatly improve the lives of the residents and promote tourism. I encourage the Minister to continue to bring the energy solutions of the federal government to more and more commercial centers to help spur on economic activities in our state”.

     

  • Directorates Of Legal Services, CNA Advises Senate President To Swear-In Jarigbe Agom

    By Admin

    The Directorates of Legal Services, the Deputy Clerk as well as the Clerk of the National Assembly has advised the President of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawn to swear-in Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom as the senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

    In a memo addressed to the Senate President and sighted by The Lumine News, indicates that the President of the Senate is invited to see from page 1 of the file, paying particular attention to paragraphs 2 and 3 and is humbly advised to swear in Hon. Jarigbe.

    The advise as addressed to the Clerk of National Assembly, by the Directorates of Legal Services reads in parts “from pp. 44 – 45 is the legal opinion of the Directorate of legal services addressing that since the Supreme Court by a majority decision on the 25th day of February, 2021 struck out the notice of appeal filed by Senator (Dr) S. A. Odey, then the Court of Appeal decision recognising Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe should be given effect to, by the National Assembly as evidenced in certificate issued by INEC.

    “Accordingly, you may wish to call upon the Distinguished President of the Senate to swear in Hon. Jarigbe please”

    Acting on the legal advice, the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly and the Clerk of the National Assembly, has advised the President of the Senate as seen in the attached memo to swear in Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom.

    “The President of the Senate, you are please invited to see from page 1 of file, paying particular attention to paragraphs 2 and 3 and be humbly advised to swear in Hon. Jarigbe”.

    It is unclear why the Senate President has remained silent as regards the memos on his table recommending Jarigbe for swearing-in.

  • Beebo/Bumaji To Have One Of The Best Road Networks In CRS By 2022 – Sandy Onor.

    By Elijah Ugani

    The senator representing Cross River Central senatorial district, Sen. Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor has stated that the Beebo/Bumaji road is going to be one of the best road networks in Cross River State by 2022.

    The lawmaker made this known on the 3rd of April, 2021 at Kakwe – Beebo during a launching for the construction of Beebo/Bumaji Road organized by the community.

    The senator who was represented at the event by his Senior Legislative Aide, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua maintained that the development of any community depends on its road network, and where there are no roads, it is difficult for anything else to be done.

    In his words “This is a project that I take to heart and I will do everything possible to make sure that by the end of 2022, Beebo/Bumaji community will have one of the best road networks in Cross River State.

    “I appreciate this project because I also come from a community that has difficulties with access road, so the same burden I have for my community, Nsofan in Etung Local Government Area, is the same burden I have for other communities in the Central Senatorial District that are yet to be provided with good road network.

    “Initially, when the organizers of this programme came to me, I told them not to worry, because I have a special programme for this road by 2022, but on a second thought, I said it is good for people to start a project so that they can take ownership and responsibility for it. I will be making other interventions after now.

    “Whatever contribution that is being made today will be the beginning of a long process of funding until this road is completed. On this note, I want to make a donation of half a million naira”

    In his capacity, the Senior Legislative Aide to senator Sandy Onor, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua used the opportunity to call on well meaning cross Riverians to rise to the challenge of stopping the indiscriminate and crazy deforestation going on in Eastern Boki.

    Imbua averred that “On a personal note, for those who are my friends on social media, you will realize that an issue that has occupied me in the past months is the rate at which deforestation is taking place in Eastern Boki.

    “I made a claim which I thought I was right, but from the way the chairman of this occasion, Ambassador Soni Abang, has spoken this evening, I now know that my claim was not right because I said it is one thing that is making me cry more than the bereaved, but I now know that there are other people who are seriously concerned.

    “Let me say to the Chairman of this occasion that on a matter of this nature, you don’t need to look at people’s faces, by the nature of human beings, people must be angry, if they are angry for a good course, I don’t think there is any problem with it. There are things we do for the sake of the future. Future generation of this community needs this environment to live in, if there are destroyed, what do we think will happened.
    It is a fight we must come together to resist and make sure that it does not continue”

  • What People Don’t Know About Ben Akak, Obase Reveals

     

    Recently, the name of the Chief Executive Officer of Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak has become a household name in the lips of Cross Riverians. A household name because of recent activities carried by the foundation, especially in the distribution of welfare packages to the less privileged in the society.

    It is also worthy of note that Ben Akak was prominent in the distribution of palliatives to the Cross River state government, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals during the nationwide lockdown caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. It is as a result of these and many more that made many to come out to say that he is doing all of these pursuit of his ambition to become the state governor in 2023.

    They believe that the name has not been a popular name until he started nursing ambitions for the governorship seat in the state. It is on this premise that Obase Okanke Ofem Willie, who has known Ben Akak for about 10 years, has deflated the notion. He said it has been in the nature of Ben Akak to be the voice of the voiceless and the helper of the helpless.

    He said this while addressing journalists in Calabar. He said Ben Akak has been a philanthropist, humble and go-getter all through the years he has known him. He also disclosed that it was Ben Akak that started the Margaret Ekpo Development Foundation. He revealed that Ben Akak was the person who single handedly ran the Foundation with his money without getting support from anyone, disclosing that he was also the one who started the annual Margaret Ekpo lectures.

    He said: “As a Cross Riverian, we all yearn to have a positive change; we all yearn for an administration that has regard for the entire Cross River; that will develop Cross River economically beyond where we are today. And a lot of us have also looked at the fact that beyond the regular day to day politician, do we have such a person?

    “We know that the Southern Senatorial District is blessed with fantastic people, young people, old people, young leaders and all of that and coincidentally, a lot of people have been in the media, social media spaces and all of that talking about a number of other persons. I can speak for Ben Akak because I know Ben Akak fully well before today. A lot of people have known him before now, I don’t mind dropping their contacts, call them and they will talk to you about Ben Akak.

    “Ben Akak, I’ve known him more than ten years and if anybody tells me the highest attribute they know Ben for, it is humility. I say it everywhere and anywhere. Ben has been that humble person I know right from time immemorial that I’ve known him. The only difference is that because of additional assignments and engagements he is engaged with, he cannot be as accessible as he used to be before today. For that, I can excuse him for that and that is only natural. Ben is somebody who understands what he wants, he is a goal getter, and I can say it anywhere, any day, anytime”.

    He added that when people begin to say that Ben is an overnight philanthropist, that he doesn’t know what philanthropist means to them. He believes that if he can on his own have the welfare of the people at heart that he will do more when he has control of the funds government which will make governance easy and interesting for him.

    Obase who confidently believes that Ben Akak is the right man to cause the needed change in Cross River was of the opinion that based on personal interactions with him that he wouldn’t be that kind of leader who will change once he becomes the governor. He stated that his least expectation from him is failure while the highest expectation is to transform the state with his wealth of experience and intellectual capabilities.

  • 60KVA Power Plant : Jedy Has Achieved What My Govt, Others Could Not – Ayade

     

    Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has commended the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, and President Muhammadu Buhari for installing a 60KVA solar power plant at the Obudu Ranch Resort.

    Ayade who was speaking during the inauguration of the project yesterday at the resort in Obanliku local government area of the state admitted that his government and the ones after tried unsuccessfully to take electricity to the place.

    The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner of Power, Hon. Victor Agwu noted that to even bring big generator to the resort was a huge problem because of the topography of the place.

    According to him, “a lot of people won’t understand our excitement. As a government, we’ve tried severally to bring light to the Ranch but to no avail. But here we’re, celebrating this epoch making event. Bringing generator to this place is even a problem but we thank the Minister who has made this possible. We hope this will mark the beginning of many more projects that’ll come”.

    Earlier, the Minister who performed a ground breaking ceremony for the construction/installation of another 100KVA solar mini-grid power plant at the Bottom Hill axis of the resort shortly after
    commissioned the 60KVA plant said that the project was part of the federal government’s policy of providing rural and undeserved communities with clean, accessible and sustainable electricity.

    He said that the plant which is to provide 24-hour electricity at the resort is a deliberately designed to support the state government efforts to revive the hitherto moribund tourists site.

    According to him, “the commissioning of this 60kWp solar hybrid mini-grid power plant is coming at the right time to a community that will equally value it and make the best of it as this project has been deliberately designed to serve the needs of this community.

    As always, the Ministry of Power continues to work to provide the needed support for the implementation of all Federal Government policies in the diversification of the energy sector. I am, therefore, thrilled that our drive has led us to this great event. It is glaring that the capital appropriation is being put into good use”.

    He maintained that “it has also become obvious that renewable energy plays a critical role in accelerating energy access across the nation. The plan therefore is to continue to do all it takes to ensure that Nigeria’s massive renewable energy resources are efficiently utilized to energize communities, schools, hospitals and businesses across Nigeria”.

    While charging the community to take charge of the projects, he commended the commitment of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in the commencement and completion of several off-grid projects through the several schemes in the country.

    Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo who was represented by the Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare said that the projects which are being deployed across the country ” are testaments of the Federal Government’s resolve to improve energy infrastructure across Nigeria, especially in unserved and underserved communities”.

    He assured that “with our deliberate plan to continue our job of powering Nigeria, one community at a time as mandated by the Federal Government, more communities will be energized across the country under the different REA programmes in the coming months, just as we have commissioned several projects in the first quarter of 2021”.

    Salihijo use the opportunity to “encourage the Management of the Obudu Ranch as well as the people of this beautiful community to optimize this intervention and leverage the availability of clean, safe and reliable energy for impact and growth” .

    Responding on behalf of the community, the Chairman of Obanliku Local Government, Evang. (Mrs.) Margaret Inde commended the Minister and the federal government for the project.

    While assuring that the community will take proper care of the facility, She said that “we are very excited by this development. Today is not just commissioning but ground breaking for another solar project in our local government. We thank the Minister and President Muhammadu Buhari who consider our local government worthy to benefit from these great projects.

    As Oliver Twist, we want to beg that the development should be extended to other parts of the local government. Like my village Bendi, we don’t have light. There’s no single electricity pole there. So, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Minister and the President to continue to consider Obanliku “.

  • Bendi Technical College In The Politics Of Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    The Bendi Technical College (BTC) in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State recently attracted the attention of critics, commentators and analysts of pubic affairs. Established in 1978, the college has produced a great number of people, some of whom are now established scholars, technocrats and professionals across diverse endeavours of life. The contribution of her products to nation building and development is phenomenal and has been praised in several quarters. To list the names of men and women who passed through the college would fill volumes and we do not intend to make such a list here.

    Like many other public schools in Cross River State, the fortunes of BTC have terribly nosedived over the years, leaving students of the school to study under extremely difficult conditions. The college lacks basic infrastructure like access road/bridge, water supply, power, toilets, accommodation, office/classroom space/furniture, laboratories, workshops and a functional library/ICT centre. The existing buildings in the college have become scandalously dilapidated and unusable to staff and students. We can only leave to imagination the terribly cascading facilities at the college, which at some points, and ironically so, was attended by the Cross River State’s Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr Godwin Amanke, and the Chief of Staff to the Government of Cross River State, Hon. Martin Orim!

    Many people in Bendi, including this writer, had thought that the swearing-in of professors as Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross River State was going to improve the fortunes of the state’s education sector, including those of BTC. The change in nomenclature of the ministry of education to the ministry of quality education strengthened the optimism that there would be massive improvement in educational services and facilities. Six years down the road, the situation in public schools has not changed in any appreciable way; it has rather worsened as many other things under the current administration in the state. Little wonder, the euphoria and fanfare that greeted the emergence of the current administration have completely died down, leaving sycophants and booth lickers with the onerous responsibility of convincing Cross Riverians that things are getting better.

    To return to the BTC story, the desperate groans of parents and guardians about the terrible conditions of learning at the college sweetened up into joyful ululations when Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo published a letter dated 25th September 2020 on his Facebook timeline announcing to the world that he had facilitated “the execution of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) ICT Centre in Bendi Technical School.” The letter stated that “The contract price is N122,809,075.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Two Million, Eight Hundred & Nine Thousand, Seventy-Five Naira) … . The contract duration shall be for a period of six (6) months which shall take effect from the commencement date of the contract.” Against the expectations of many stakeholders, the contract at BTC was executed in the most unsatisfactory and unacceptable manner. Rather than building a 21st century ICT centre, those involved with the contract merely collapsed two classrooms into a bigger space for the installation of computers. The shabby way the contract was executed left no one in doubt that its facilitators were more interested in what they would gain from it than how it would serve the end users.

    Displeased with the fraudulent and criminal betrayal of trust by the facilitator and contractors, the Northern Cross River Youths Coalition petitioned the MP to the EFCC. In a swift reaction, the MP dismissed the petition as a useless piece of handiwork of his enemies. Encouraged by this claim, his followers and supporters queried the writers of the petition, claiming that constituency project contracts are awarded to MDAs and not Members of National Assembly (NASS). Based on this claim, they ordered that all questions concerning the three projects facilitated by the MP in his constituency should be directed to the companies that executed them. Some concerned individuals bought this advice and resolved to follow up with the contractors since the MP and his supporters had made it clear that it was not his responsibility to ensure that his constituency projects were executed to specifications.

    As the concerned citizens set out to pursue the investigation with relevant questions, the supporters of the MP dramatically reversed themselves, calling on all and sundry to “beat the drums of joy” to the “pragmatic RT HON LEGOR IDAGBO” for turning the Bendi Technical College “into a much sought after citadel in ICT knowledge based hub.” With unusual excitement, they wrote further: “This [the project] was facilitated by our principal in his piloting of the affairs of Nigerian Local Content Monitoring Board Committee. At a time like this, the least we could all do as a sign of appreciation and a Filip for him to do more is to say THANK YOU. The trend whereby some brothers of ours are regrettably turning a blind eye to this humbling effort and rather more concern(Ed) with the 2023 race is of grave concern.” For some strange reasons, they regarded those calling for accountability and explanation as ungrateful enemies of the MP. To showcase their much-noised about transformation brought about by the MP at the BTC, they manufactured and displayed several breath-taking pictures of the college. Those pictures are capable of convincing the public that those who were still complaining about the quality of execution were unfair to the MP.

    To ascertain the reality on ground, I decided to take a trip to the BTC. Like every other person who has been to the college in the last few days can attest, there are several questions begging for answers by those that were involved with the project. BTC which has been used as a channel of siphoning public funds is in dire need of patriots who will look the facilitator and contractors in the face and tell them the truth about the injustice done to the present and future students of BTC as well as other constituents of Bekwarra/Obanliku/Obudu Federal Constituency. The supporters of the MP should not distract those who have taken it upon themselves to ask important questions at the relevant quarters by urging the public to roll out drums to celebrate the renovation and installation of computers in an expanded classroom.

    I should end this episode by reminding Bendi elites and other people that are supporting this injustice of W.E.B. Du Bois’ immutable assertion that it is a tragedy for an enlightened individual to pursue personal gains while ignoring the plight of his/her oppressed kin. We should always remember that from the time of Esau till now, people who sold their birthrights for a pot of porridge have lived in regrets. While it is true that half bread is better than none, it is also indubitable that the reverse is the case with education, where half of it is dangerous. It is the responsibility of good followers to ask questions on whether projects have been executed as awarded or not. If followers fail in this responsibility, the society will be the worse for it.

    Dr. Dave Imbua writes from the hills of Bendi.

    Disclaimer: This article is strictly the opinions of Dave Mbua PhD, and does not represent the views of The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • CUDA Warns Road Defacers Through Sensitization Program

     

    The Calabar Urban Development Authority – CUDA has extended a note of warning to various degrees of road defacers in Calabar through a sensitization walk carried out earlier on today.

    The warning which was issued through the agency’s executive secretary Mr. JoeMary Ekeng-Ita, explained that most road gridlock around town is caused by the incessant activities of mechanics and car wash companies who decide to extend their businesses into most road walkways.

    Expressing dissatisfaction, Mr. Ekeng-Ita noted that it has become pertinent to address this issue but first by thoroughly sending out strong notice of warnings and sensitization such as this.

    In his words; “today’s exercise is to carry out an awareness. Mostly to the mechanics on our roads. Most of the mechanics have turned our city roads into their workshops.

    “Vehicles are packed indiscriminately without regards to other road users. They pack the vehicles there, drop the engine, spill oil on the road.

    “So, this exercise is to sensitize them that such attitude is not good because CUDA has been saddled with the responsibility to take care of those kind of issues”

    Touring round most of the affected areas in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, the Executive Secretary also decried the situation where most of these businesses operating within Calabar, fail to make provision of convenience for their customers who in turn pollute the environment indiscriminately, making it not conducive for other citizens.

    “You’d agree with me that almost all the workshops, maybe very few, have convenience for their customers.
    They litter the whole place, they urinate anyway and do all sort of things because they don’t have conveniences in those workshops and so we are trying to enforce that.

    “If you must have a workshop where 20-30 people are gathered everyday, you should have convenience for them to use”, he said.

    Also warning against the activities of car wash companies occupying most roads in Calabar, the agency warned that all such operations must be taken off the road to preserve the integrity of these roads constructed to stand the taste of time as it cost government so much to fix them.

    Notably, the agency through it’s Executive Secretary hinted that enforcement would be thorough and would come after the easter holidays.
    “We will continue move around town, give them enough time to adjust so that by the time we clamp down on them, they won’t have any excuse.

    “We had carried out an announcement about three weeks ago which was on radio for about 5 days.
    When we do this, we will continue with the announcement.
    “We are looking at starting to enforce somewhere in the middle of April, just after the easter holidays. So they can have ample time to checkmate most of these highlighted issues” he added

     

  • Hon. Legor Idagbo ‘s 122Million ICT Constituency Project In Obudu BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Out of the three projects that were brought to the fore yesterday as facilitated by Hon. Legor Idagbo, the member representing our federal constituency, (Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwara), in the House of Representatives, I take the liberty to look at them one after the other. Charity begins at home as they say, so today, I will begin from my home, Obudu.

    The execution of an NCDMB ICT Center in Clement Ebri Technical School in Utugwang, Obudu was awarded to, Kresto Paco, a company based in Abuja on September 25, 2020 at a sum of N122,841,325. The work was to be completed in six months from the contract award date.

    There is a video attached here and photos of the project. We have visited the project site and observed on the spot that:

    1. Two classroom were collapsed into a bigger space, from an already existing block of eight classrooms.

    2. That space was then renovated and painted and fitted with chairs and tables.

    3. Thirty one flat screen desk top computers have been fitted in the room also.

    4. Two split unit air conditioners, solar panels, inverter, two dishes, are also installed.

    5. There is also a 20kva generator.

    6. There is an aluminum partition inside the room with three cubicles.

    7. A projector and screen are also fitted.

    Accessing the inside of the center was quite difficult because the place was still locked up possibly because it hasn’t been commissioned. But we eventually did.

    My Thoughts:

    Apart from other things I am known for, I am an ICT Entrepreneur. I have been doing that business for over a decade. Even with a casual eye view, I can cost everything in that room in 30minutes, but I will come back to that later.

    Meanwhile, let me ask our Representative Legor, if you gave someone N122million Naira to build you an ICT Center in your personal school you are building in Abuja and you return after six months to see exactly what you have in Clement Ebri Technical College in Utugwang, will you accept and pay the contractor?

    I ask that question because, as our Rep, you are expected to inspect the project and clear the contractor with a satisfactory report before the company can be paid. What report did you write for the company after completion of work?

    What exactly is the ICT Center meant to achieve?

    What is the utilization plan?

    What was the thinking behind it?

    Is it just going to be a regular business center for secretariat jobs?

    Was the NCDMB contract just meant to renovate a classroom and buy 30 computers and put inside like artifacts or is it going to be an IT innovation center where solutions will be created?

    Who was carried along, because apart from party stalwarts, even stakeholders in the community who you will think should have been abreast of the project were all feigning ignorance?

    There is only one JAMB CBT Center in Obudu/Obanliku, located inside the FCE Obudu. Should our people continue to travel that distance to write JAMB after investing 122million in an ICT center in Utugwang?

    More and more rural communities across the globe are getting access to faster Internet and using it to change their fortunes and the way they live. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk is aiming to bring high-speed Internet to largely rural areas. Most of Musk’s Starlink Internet potential customers are in rural areas outside of urban centers. Eager communities are funding these initiatives through Rural Digital Opportunity Funds, paid for by small fees on cell phone bills as part of an effort to get Internet service providers to bring broadband to them to catch up with a rapidly progressing world.

    If we now have the luck of getting government funding to achieve these targets, it is only wise and proper that we ensure the funds and judiciously utilized to that end.

    This is my Constituency and I won’t keep quiet. We will look at the other two projects in the coming days.

    I am doing this, conscious of the fact that I have also raised public money to repair a court in Ogoja and will want to be held by the same standards.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo and does not represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.