Author: The Lumine News

  • Breaking: Nigerian State’s Legislature And Judiciary Now Independent As Buhari Signs Financial Autonomy Order

    Breaking: Nigerian State’s Legislature And Judiciary Now Independent As Buhari Signs Financial Autonomy Order

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed into law Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 for the implementation of Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary Order, 2020.

    Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media to Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, made this known in a statement.

    The development means that Nigerian States’ Legislature and Judiciary Arms no longer have to wait for Governors for funds.

    Gwandu recalled that a Presidential Implementation Committee was constituted to fashion out strategies and modalities for the implementation of financial autonomy for the State Legislature and State Judiciary in compliance with section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended); taking into considerations all other applicable laws, instruments, conventions and regulations, which provides for financial autonomy at the state tier of government.

    Gwandu said the implementation of financial autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary will strengthen the institutions at the State tier of Government.

    He noted that it will also make them more independent and accountable in line with the tenets of democracy as enshrined by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended).

    The statement added that President Buhari signed the Executive Order number 10 into law based on the power vested in him as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), which extends to the execution and maintenance of the Constitution, laws made by the National Assembly (including but not limited to Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution(as Amended), which guarantee financial autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary.

    According to the order: “The Accountant-General of the Federation shall by this Order and such any other Orders, Regulations or

    Guidelines as may be issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, authorise the deduction from source in the course of Federation Accounts Allocation from the money allocated to any State of the Federation that fails to release allocation meant for the State Legislature and State Judiciary in line with the financial autonomy guaranteed by Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended)”.

    Gwandu further stated that based on the new Executive Order and in line with section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), all States of the Federation shall include the allocations of the two Arms of Government in their Appropriation Laws.

    • Article 6 (1) provides that “notwithstanding the provisions of this Executive Order, in the first three years of its implementation, there shall be special extraordinary capital allocations for the Judiciary to undertake capital development of State Judiciary Complexes, High Court Complexes, Sharia Court of Appeal, Customary Court of Appeal and Court Complexes of other Courts befitting the status of a Courts.
  • Amanke Calls On The Management And Staff Of CRUTECH To Desist From Infighting To Ease The Appointment Of A Substantive VC

    Amanke Calls On The Management And Staff Of CRUTECH To Desist From Infighting To Ease The Appointment Of A Substantive VC

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr. Goodwin Amanke has called on the management and staff of the Cross River University of Technology CRUTECH, to desist from infighting among themselves to ease the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the institution.

    Amanke made the call when the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Austin Angba led other management staff on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in his office in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    His words “let me use this opportunity to call on the management, staff and student’s unions within the institution to desist from infighting to enable the institution get a substantive Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor in Acting capacity is limited to certain things, as such CRUTECT cannot continue to have Acting Vice Chancellors.

    “I want to commend the foresight of the Governor who I referred to as a man who knows tomorrow for appointing Prof. Austin Angba, Acting Vice Chancellor.

    “With Prof. Angba, I expect so much from CRUTECH community, I know he has the capacity to do it, but he needs the cooperation of all of us, ranging from the Bursar, Registrar and Directors of all Units and departments”

    Earlier, the Acting Vice chancellor, Prof. Austin Angba thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the institution.

    Angba pledge his commitment to the development of the institution through collaborative measures to ensure quality educational system in line with global best practices, which will involve innovative models.

    He mentioned insecurity and salary deficit as some of the major challenges confronting the institution. On insecurity, he noted that insecurity was minimal since students were not on campus. He explained that salary deficit was occasioned by non payment of school charges by students which amount to about 80 million.

    Recall that since the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Anthony Owan-Enor as Vice Chancellor, in April 2019, Prof. Austin Angba is the third person to be appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of the state owned university, CRUTECH.

    A development which has received serous back lash from the public. With the consul from the commissioner and if taken seriously, then there will be some form of relief for the institution as a substantive Vice Chancellor will sure be appointed.

    Critics continue to argue that prolonged and continuous appointment of Acting Vice Chancellors, development in the institution will be at a snail space, considering that six months is too short for any body to plan a budget or execute any serious project.

    Findings have reveal that CRUTECH is one of the state owned university with a salary structure with line with federal salary structure.

    On the entourage for the courtesy call were; Mr. Ekpe Ibom Ekpe – Bursar, Prof. William Nkamo – Librarian, Mr. Alaga E. Alaga – Auditor, Barr. Uno I. Ogban.

  • Three Years Is Enough To Create Impact And Reengineer Governance To Meet The Yearnings And Aspirations Of The People – Imbua

    Three Years Is Enough To Create Impact And Reengineer Governance To Meet The Yearnings And Aspirations Of The People – Imbua


    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A seasoned academician, technocrat and administrator per excellent, Associate Prof. Dave Imbua of the department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar, has stated that three years is enough time to create impact and reengineer governance to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    Imbua who took to his Facebook wall @Dave Mbua to express his opinion being the only avenue available for him to contribute to the development of the state in response to the emotions that led to Gov Ben Ayade sharing tears while he inaugurated the Anti-Tax Agency on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 at the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s office, Calabar.

    “We now return from emotions to reason and truth. A man who channels the commonwealth of a people into a jamboree of ago massaging projects at the expense of amenities that address the pressing needs of the overwhelming masses will definitely cry at each point that conscience suppresses sycophancy.

    “Now that we are all on the same page as it concerns our gains and losses in the last five years, it is important to re-engineer governance to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    “Three years is enough time to create impact. But if the think tank and advisers insist that the path taken is not only the best but also irreversible, then three years is a very short time. I wish the current rehearsals for the post-2023 wailings can be nipped in the bud”

  • Amanke Tasks Secondary Education Board To Repay Gov Ben Ayade’s Confidence On It Choice

    Amanke Tasks Secondary Education Board To Repay Gov Ben Ayade’s Confidence On It Choice

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Cross River State Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr. Godwin Amanke has charged Members of the Secondary Education Board SEB, to repay Governor Ben Ayade’s confidence on the choice of the team which he referred to as square pecks in square holes.

    His words “Let me congratulate you on behalf of the governor who have carefully selected you to serve the state in the capacity of Secondary Education Board members.

    “I charge you to repay the confidence reposed on you by the governor on your choice which I will refer to as square pecks in square holes”

    Amanke gave the charged while inaugurating members of the Secondary Education Board in Calabar on Thursday, 21st May, 2020 at the conference room of the office of the commissioner.

    Amanke referred to the governor as a careful selector, expressed confidence in the team’s ability considering that the Board Chairman has served successfully in the first tenure has placed the board in the pedestal to deliver on it’s mandate.

    The Commissioner used the opportunity to call for synergy between the board and the ministry and pledged commitment to partner relevant agencies to ensure quality education in the state.

    Responding on behalf of other members, the Board Chairman, Mr. Ebe Idagwu, thanked the governor for the privilege accorded them to serve the state.

    Idagwu gave special commendation to the Commissioner, Dr. Godwin Amanke, management and staff of the Ministry of Quality Education for the solidarity, and pledged the board’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure efficiency and upgrade of the educational sector in the state.

    Idagwu noted that “this board under my superintendent and with Dr. Amanke as the Commissioner for Quality Education, we will strive for quality educational reforms as prioritized by the Ayade led administration which made him to rename the Ministry of Education to Ministry of Quality Education, that quality must be seen to be applied here”

    The Chairman used the opportunity to call on stakeholders to raise to the challenge of the moment as the task to rebranding our educational sector requires a collective approach. Ranging from parents, teachers, student’s attitudes and academic performance and discipline.

    The Board has Mr. Ebe Idagwu as Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Itang Egbung, Hon. Nsa Ewa, Mr. Godwin Odey Oko, Ntufam Alphonsus Etambui are Members (i – iv) while Mr. Lawrence Eyo Nsa is the Board’s Secretary

  • INEC Declares C’River North Senatorial District Vacant As Permutations Heightens

    INEC Declares C’River North Senatorial District Vacant As Permutations Heightens

    By Elijah Ugani – Cabalar

    The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has declared vacant Cross River North Senatorial District seat.

    The declaration comes on the heels of the demise of the late Sen. Rose Oko, who until her death was the senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District.

    In a release signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education, Mr. Festus Okoye Esq., indicates that the commission has received official declaration of vacancies for 4 senatorial districts and read reports of the passing of a senator and 4 members of some State Houses of Assembly.

    The release reads in part “It is to be noted that in additional to the Governorship election in Edo and Ondo States, the Commission has received official declaration of vacancies for 4 Senatorial Districts and read reports of the passing of a senator and 4 members of some State Houses of Assembly.

    “As at today, the Commission is planning for nine (9) bye-elections across seven (7) states of the federation as follows:
    Bayelsa Central Senatorial District
    Bayelsa West Senatorial District
    Imo North Senatorial District
    Plateau South Senatorial District
    Cross River North Senatorial District
    Nganzai State Constituency, Borno State
    Bayo State Constituency, Borno State
    Nasarawa Central State Constituency, Nasarawa State
    Bakori State Constituency, Katsina State.

    “The provision of the policy on conducting Elections in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic shall also apply to the conduct of these elections.

    “In conclusion, the Commission urges all Nigerians to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols issued by the health authorities”

    This declaration is coming barely seventy-two (72) hours when a front line contender for the PDP ticket to context the by-election for the Cross River Northern Senatorial seat, Dr. Stephen Odey had stated that he has not started campaigns, stating that INEC was yet to declare the seat vacant.

    Odey was reacting to the allegations of inviting the leadership of Northern Cross River State Students and President of the five local government areas that made up the Northern Senatorial district for a meeting and abandoned them.

    An allegation that Odey referred to as unnecessary accusations and attacks, dissociated himself and stated that he did not invite nor see students in his office and wonder why he will invite students when INEC was yet to declare the seat vacant.

    With the recent declaration by the electoral body, it is unclear whether Dr. Odey will commence campaigns.

  • Full Text Of Address By The Chairman Of NIgerian Ports Authority, Chief Akin Ricketts At The Board’s Inauguration

    Full Text Of Address By The Chairman Of NIgerian Ports Authority, Chief Akin Ricketts At The Board’s Inauguration

    By Chief Akin Ricketts 

    Protocol

    The Honourable Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Minister of State for Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, the Director, Maritime Services, other Directors, invited guests, members of the press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

    As is the tradition with this kind of occasions, we are privileged to have been carefully chosen to contribute our quota to the development of our country but in this case, in a strategic area of our national life; the maritime industry.

    On behalf of my other colleagues on the Board, I will like to assure Mr. President, through you Honourable Minister that we would do our utmost to ensure that his confidence in us is not misplaced and would not be abused. As a serious Government on a National Rescue mission, we assure you that we will immediately commence discharging our responsibilities without let or hindrance.

    As an organisation that has been in existence since 1955, we are sure that NPA wouldn’t have its share of challenges and issues that need to be resolved or need immediate attention. We will do that in conjunction with the Management and all relevant stakeholders. We will ensure that we give every issue and matter that comes to our attention the consideration it deserves and deal with it fairly and objectively, without favour or ill will.

    Let me assure the Honourable Minister that this Board does not and would not consider itself an alternate Management nor be in competition with the Management but will synergies with and perform effective oversight of the Management to ensure that the mission, vision and strategic objectives of NPA are achieved.

    We will create an atmosphere where employees would be given the opportunity to air their views and express dissent on any policy or action they feel strong about. And we will ensure that measures are emplaced so that this process is not unduly abused. We will ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place from our major stakeholders and port users so that we improve on service delivery, efficiency and capacity.

    Honourable Minister sir, the major issues confronting our ports today are capacity utilisation and evacuation corridors. While the ports in the East are being grossly underutilized due to many factors, the efficiency of the ports in Lagos is hampered by inadequate evacuation corridors that lead to congestion on the road, which ultimately affects prompt service delivery. This is a challenge that we intend to confront head-on in conjunction with other stakeholders, with a view to ameliorating the sufferings of port users and ease business in the port, as envisaged by the Federal Government.

    May I on behalf of other Board members extend our appreciation to Mr. President for considering us worthy of this appointment and assure you that we will be willing partners in the task of Nation building and ensuring that you leave this country better than you meet it.

    Thank you and God bless.

  • Ayade, The Cry Cry Baby In Peregrino House

    Ayade, The Cry Cry Baby In Peregrino House

    By Agba Jalingo – Lagos

    Yesterday, my governor, Senator Ben Ayade cried AGAIN while launching the anti-taxation agency in Calabar. The agency is meant to ensure low income earners do not pay taxes in Cross River state. His tears actually touched a soft chord in the minds of many people across the country and several of them have circulated the video back to me. One person who is not even in Cross River state said, their earlier scheduled meeting started with the video where governor Ayade was crying and most people in the meeting also started crying along with the governor whom they concluded is a lover of the poor and this is very impressive.

    But if tears were a true measure of our pain, even Hitler’s drops would be preserved in the alabaster bottle. That is the irony and the double edged nature of that readily available liquid. Once emotions are evoked, in no direction essentially, tears can start flowing and oftentimes, the person whose tears flow down the cheeks, doesn’t even know why they flow until composure is regained.

    So tears are not necessarily an expression of concern, rather, tears can fittingly be described as the defecation of pent up emotions which could also be spontaneous. Tears could also be a pontilitous attempt at hood winking the unsuspecting public into collective amnesia, particularly for politicians.

    The later is where I will categorize the incessant tears of our governor, Senator Ben Ayade and I will tell you why.

    Apart from the poorly substantiated tales of his crying for the poor before his coming into politics, yesterday was the fourth time governor Ayade will be crying in public. But guess what, each time he cried, nothing followed!

    Before you get hoodwinked by yesterday’s tears, let me take you down memory lane.

    17 January 2017, Governor Ayade announced the abolition of all forms of taxation for low-income earners in Cross River state. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant Media, Mr. Christian Ita, in a press statement said those affected by the tax exemption are people earning below N50, 000 monthly, taxi, tricycle, wheel barrows, and motor cycle operators as well as petty traders and hoteliers.

    He said Governor Ben Ayade, who gave the order after signing the 2017 appropriation bill of N707 billion, had reiterated the need to provide some economic reliefs to low income earners in the state with regards to taxes.

    Ayade, after signing the budget had warned that: “I am sounding the last warning that henceforth I don’t want to hear anyone who earns less than N50, 000 a month being taxed in any form in the state….In the same vein, I don’t want to see a hotel that is struggling to survive with challenges of diesels being chased by government officials over taxes. I have warned anybody, who is still collecting money from these people to stop forthwith…I have seen poverty in my personal life and I know what that small N2, 000 means to them.

    “It is clear to emphasise here that at this point, no nation, no state and no administrative authority can tax her people to prosperity…God has given us an elevated platform of authority to use our intellects and support them and not to suppress them. Why would government put a burden on people earning less than a N1, 000 a day with wife and children, shopping in the same market with the rich, who earn over N300, 000 monthly? I would rather tax my intellect to prosperity than taxing my people because we have sufficient education, exposure and experience, which we need to bring to bear for the prosperity of our people, which is why they elected us.”

    That was in 2017. YES 2017!!!. Very characteristic of Ayade. He cried after that. Three years after, more than 70 percent of businesses operating in Calabar have left because of multiple taxation.

    Yesterday, he repeated almost the same words he spewed in 2017 verbatim and cried again and the gullible are already crying along with him.

    That is not all!

    In August 2016, Governor Ayade visited Bakassi and cried after seeing the conditions that some returnees lived in. He made an instant donation of N3million. He was accompanied by a representative of the Mayor of Dortmund, Fuss Friedrich whom he said will build free houses for the returnees. He had introduced the man who followed him as the Mayor but it turned out he was “lying.”

    Again in March 2017, during the courtesy visit of the National Commissioner of the National Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajia Sadiya Farouk in the government house, Governor Ayade cried over the status of the Bakassi returnees. He wept and vowed to do everything he can to resettle the people of Bakassi and called on government not to neglect them. I don’t know whether the people of Bakassi have been resettled after that crying.

    April 10, 2018, Governor Ayade also broke down in tears at the conference room of the government house when he asked his aide on Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Bob Etta to pray while signing the NGN1.3 trillion budget of Kinetic Crystallization into law. He cried also because he said the budget was going to de-couple the State from federal allocation and lift the poor out of poverty.

    But shortly after that, CrossRiverWatch news editor, Jonathan Ugbal and three others were arrested for allegedly photographing two commissioners including the immediate past Attorney General of the State, that were sleeping during that exercise. Till date, even the hard copy of the budget is not available to the public not to talk of the promises inside.

    My ten kobo advise to my governor is that the poor can never be freed from poverty by exempting them from taking responsibility. Taxation is not a burden. It is a civic duty for the collective good of the society. Taxes should be reduced, rebates given and made convenient for even the poorest of the citizens to pay with intermittent holidays. Taxes should not be a burden but they should also not be taken away. They are our right and civic duty. Taxes are Biblical. Taxes are a way of ensuring that every citizen of age and ability takes responsibility for the collective upkeep of the society and also ensure government is accountable. Every government that wants to abolish taxes is tilting towards a lack of accountability.

    In a state where the total monthly IGR is less than N1billion and federal allocation is one of the lowest amidst crashing oil prices, abolition of taxes is not magnanimity. It is naivety. Don’t come here and tell me about those thrash called I-Money and G-Money and OPM.

    Finally, I agree wholely that crying is not a sign of weakness. We all cry. I cry too. Even our Lord Jesus cried. But what the governor needed to do yesterday was not another round of crying or a regurgitation of same things he has been saying since 2017 as if he was saying something new, he rather needs to ensure that his aides take him more seriously and respect his orders and commands and directives. If they had done that, poor people would have long had some respite from the tax masters over 3 years ago and our cry cry baby in Peregrino House would have rested his face towel, at least…

    Yours sincerely
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    #1103DaysToGo
    #CryCryGovernor
    #StopCryingDoTheWork
    #HoldLeadersAccountable

     

    NB. The Opinions Expressed Are Of Agba Jalingo In His Personal Capacity And Does Not Representing THE LUMINE NEWS.

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  • C’River State Government Launches ICT To Curb Fake News

    C’River State Government Launches ICT To Curb Fake News

    By Solomon Asha – Calabar

    In an attempt to curb the prevalence of fake news and misleading press releases in the state, the Cross River State Government, through the office of the Senior Special Assistant on ICT/New Media Mr. Nate Otaba has launched an application/solution for verification of official State Press Releases.

    Introducing the CRSGVERIFY application,  Otaba noted that “fact-checking and warnings of misinformation are increasingly prevalent in modern news media and political communications. While many warnings about fake news are valid and enable people to reject misleading information over the years, attempts to creating a solution to curb the deception has yielded little ”

    Speaking further, Otaba disclosed that, “in his bid to provide a one stop solution to eradicate fake news in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Ben Ayade instituted a framework which led to the development of the CRSGVERIFY app.

    “As the name implies, the CRSGVERIFY app enables the public to verify news update or press releases. It is also aimed at curbing the spread of fake news in the State.

    “The CRSGVERIFY app is embedded in all social media platforms namely facebook, telegram etc. Users are advised to search for CRSGVERIFY on facebook, telegram etc to access the online platform.”

    He lauded other members of the CRSGVERIFY team particularly Engr. Iwada Eja – SSA ICT and Mr. Ekema Onyam – sofware engineer for their contributions.

  • Egbara Hails Ayade For Inaugurating ACPM In Cross River State

    Egbara Hails Ayade For Inaugurating ACPM In Cross River State

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Mrs. Blessing Egbara, has commended the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for the inauguration of  the Cross River State  Advisory Council on Prerogative Of Mercy ACPM, at the Ministry of Justice, Calabar the Cross River State Capital.

    Egbara, who is also a member of the Council stated that “the inauguration of the body by the State Governor is a clear indication that Ayade is a great humanitarian who is committed to changing and touching the lives of his people at all levels”

    The Commisioner also disclosed that “the role of the Council is basically to look into the cases of those qualified to be granted mercy in our Correctional Centers and ensure that they get the mercy of His Excellency, who as a  father believes in giving people a second Chance, it is also a way of decongesting our correctional centers in the state”

    She used the occasion to assured His Excellency, the Governor that her ministry will do all it can to ensure the realization of his Vision towards a better deal for Cross Riverians and to positively touch many lives.

    The Council consist of Barrister Emmanuel Enamhe, as Chairman, Mr Elias Ayeshung Secretary; Very Rev. Fr. Malachy Ephraim  Dr Yosef Effiom, Compol Lawrence Eko Alobi. Rtd., Hon. Blessing Egbara, Mr Emmanuel Bekeh Udama and Adjah Enun Adjah, are to serve as Members.

    End.

  • Remembering Okang Peter And Governor Ayade’s Endless Tears

    Remembering Okang Peter And Governor Ayade’s Endless Tears

    By Anthony Bisong Attah

    On the 23rd of March, 2020, I got a call from Okan Peter to speak on CRBC TV. I declined the invitation because it was on a national issue I didn’t consider too interesting. We both laughed when I assured him that I was going to be available to discuss on critical issues affecting the State. Hitherto, I have been his guest on Sparkling FM and we’ve met at different occasions at FAD FM, Calabar.

    The news of his demise on the 31st of March, 2020 rented the State media space for a long time. This was due largely because of his visibility as a rising media guru. I knew Okan first on the 16th of September, 2017 when he covered the launching of my party, the Young Progressives Party YPP in the State at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar. He demonstrated unaccustomed passion and dedication to his job as he straddled the Pearl Ball hall with his camera to ensure every detail of the MISS YPP COMPETITION was properly captured.

    I’m not good at writing or even commenting on the dead because of the emotions it evokes especially to the family and their loved ones. However, each time I recall events before the demise of my friend, two things readily strikes my mind; one, he spent many years as a volunteer staff of CRBC and just when he was absorbed into the system as a full staff he became a victim of the 2500 Civil Servants who’s names were delisted from the State payroll since September last year. He was set to attend the screening interview that was postponed on the 24th of March before he died one week later. Secondly, he was still being owed by the State Government for the role he played during last year Carnival Festival themed ‘Humanity’.

    I was shock as I watched our Governor, His Excellency, Sir Benedict Ayade weeping profusely in the now viral video during the inauguration of the State Anti Tax Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms of reference given to the committee chaired by Bishop Emmah Isong are not new to Cross Riverians at all. We are already used to the empty rhetorics and the theatrical distraction of weeping by the Governor. Maybe he would have been a better ‘undertaker’ than an Executive Governor, knowing that weeping alone without action has never solved any problem. A Governor that cannot weep for owing Civil Servants a whopping nine months salary arrears and 5 months unpaid stipends and Honorarium to those who toiled day and night including personal Financial commitment to see to the success of the State sponsored Carnival should not weep at all. A Governor that withholds over five years gratuity of retired Civil Servants in the State should not think that shedding ‘Iguana tears’ is a safety valve to negotiate public sympathy and gain citizen’s confidence.

    We are tired of seeing our Governor admit his failures openly with tears as smokescreen to cover for his negligence and incompetence. We prefer to see our Governor braze up to the challenge of governance by minimising cost and deploying lean state resources to areas that directly affect the citizens.

    Like my late friend, Okan Peter, several other Cross Riverians have died without being paid for several months and others have gone without enjoying their Honorarium after several months of labouring to make the 2019 Carnival a success story. A lot of retirees have died and others consigned to inhuman conditions after giving 35 years of meritorious Service to the State. These are the things that should make a good Governor to weep.

    My friend Okan is gone already but he left a family behind. I pray the Governor pays his Honorarium to his family and get a member of his family to replace him in his place of employment or elsewhere. That’s the best way to immortalize a young man who died on an empty stomach while serving the State.

    Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah
    State Chairman (Chief Servant)
    Young Progressives Party, YPP, CRS

     

     

    NB. Opinions Expressed Here Are Strictly That Of Anthony And Does Not Represent The Lumine News.