The Lumine News

Author: News

  • CRSPHCDA Takes Quality Health Care Delivery To The Steps Of Cross Riverians

    BY Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has devised an alternative means of meeting the health needs of Cross Riverians.

    The recent development had staff of the agency (Primary Healthcare Centre Ikot Efanga) organized  a medical outreach at Efanga Etim Settlement in Calabar municipality through the directives of the Director General,Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who  urged  staff to take healthcare services close to the door steps of every residents.

    The head of the team and Officer in Charge of the Primary Healthcare Facility, Ikot Efanga, Mrs Christy Iwara said the team having recognized the huge contributions made by the governor, senator Professor Ben Ayade for all Cross Riverians to get access to quality and effective healthcare and the visionary leadership style of the DG, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, decided to engage in weekly outreaches to various settlements around them.

    Mrs Iwara insisted that with various challenges faced by people in accessing healthcare, the health facility with a mandate by the DG, has identified various settlements within Efanga Etim which  is the first to benefit from the gesture.

    “I must commend the governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade for his huge contributions towards improving the health sector in our dear state and also our Pragmatic Director General, Dr Janet Ekpenyong whose visionary leadership has led us into this community outreach, she had mandated that everyone within our facility get un compromised access to healthcare by engaging in community outreaches and taking medical Care to the door steps of those who need our services the most”.

    The outreach had over 200 people who benefited from various services including Blood pressure check, sugar level, malaria /typhoid testing, counselling, sensitization and education on the covid19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

    The team also distributed drugs, facemasks and hand sanitizers to members of the community.

    One of the beneficiary, Mr Efanga Effiong Okon thanked the governor, Senator Ben Ayade, the DG, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Mrs Christy Iwara and other members of the team for the gesture as he said it has come to renew hope among members of the community and pleaded that the benevolence gesture be sustained.t

  • Ayade suspends state agency for violating tax exemption law

    Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has suspended the activities of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) for violating the State’s tax exemption law.

    A statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita yesterday said ” in spite of Governor Ayade’s directives as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) were still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state”.

    He said in view of this, “His Excellency has ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of the agency in the state.

    “In addition, His Excellency has directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state”.

    Ita said, henceforth, the governor ” will not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now .

    “On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed”.

    CTRA popularly known as” 100 Marian” because of its location is the most dreaded government agencies by taxi, okada (motorcycle) and tricycle operators because of its notorious violent mode of implementing sales of daily tickets to them.

    With this announcement, it was jubilation galore in Calabar by the operators saying “God will bless Ayade, now we know he is very serious with the law to protects” .

    Recall that two years ago the governor had exempted the poor and low income earners from paying tax and tax exemption law put in place but this directive was ignored and last week Ayade again re-emphasised on the ban to ensure full compliance.

  • Eid-El-Fitr Celebrations: Ayade Urges Muslims to Embrace Peace, Love and Unity

    Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has urged peace, love and unity among Nigerians as Muslims celebrate Eid-El- Fitr which marks the end of the thirty days Ramadan Fast.

    The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Mr Christian Ita said Nigerians must use the period for a sober reflection on the state of things in the country.

    While congratulating the Muslims Ummah for completing one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he urged them to remember that moderation is important in everything one does.

    He said the poor and less privileged people in society must be catered, a principle which informed his decision to exempt low income earners from taxation, including the petty traders in Bogobiri Muslim Community.

    He told the faithful that the month of Ramadan is intended to teach all Ummah how to live good and compassionate lives which must continue even after the Ramadan fast.

    “Ramadan is a month of sacrifice, abstinence and above all, love and care for humanity. I encourage you all to be your brother’s keeper. Look out for your neighbour in the firm belief that he too will look out for you and most importantly always use your face masks while going out to contain the Spread of Covid-19 disease.

    “As you celebrate Eid-el-fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast, I urge everyone, regardless of your religious beliefs, to continue to keep the peace and to live in unity with one another in Nigeria and particularly in Cross River State” he said.

  • Eld-Al-Adha: Bepeh Felicitates C’River Muslim Brothers, Charges Them To Observe Covid 19 Precautionary Measures

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Director, Cross River Road Transport Service/State Commandant, Vehicle Inspection Officer, Sir (Engr) Paul Bepeh has felicitated with all Muslim brothers in the state as they celebrate this month Eld-al-Adha- festival.

    In a massage signed by Sir Paul Bepeh and made available to theluminenews charges
    all Muslim faithfuls to celebrate with care and safety especially in this period of corona virus pandemic.

    The release reads in parts “Although the state government may have lifted the ban on all religious gathering , there is need for each an everyone to observe all precautionary measures and adhere strictly the guidelines by the state government.

    “As a department, we would do the needful by monitoring and ensuring that all road users during and after the Eld-al-Adha- festival abide by the regulated rules of Covid 19.

    “Remember, Corona virus does not move from place to place, but through human beings.

    “Note that the carrying capacity still remain one person in front and two behind, we are watching”

  • 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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.