The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

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

    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.

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

    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”

  • CUDA Warns Road Defacers Through Sensitization Program

    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

     

  • 280 Cultists Embrace Peace In Boki As Local Gov’t Chairman Initiates “New Boki Project”

    280 Cultists Embrace Peace In Boki As Local Gov’t Chairman Initiates “New Boki Project”

     

    The Chairman of Boki Local Government Area in Cross River State, Pst. John Ewa, on the 27th of March 2021 launched the “NEW BOKI PROJECT” with a view for cultists in the area to drop their arms and embrace peace.

    The event, which took place at the Primary School in Bunyia, had a huge turnout of Boki sons and daughters in attendance where over 280 cultists dropped their arms and embraced peace.

    Some of those present were the DPO of Okundi Police Division, the Commander of Army Battalion Afi, the Head of Civil Defence Corps, the Head of Immigration in Boki, representative of the Police Commissioner, as well as members of the Boki Peace and Reconciliation Committee, including Barr A.B Tase, Mr Joe Tate (both former Chairmen of Boki) as well as Barr. Christie Okoi.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, Hon Pastor Ewa, lamented that Boki had been involved in series of civil unrest, hence the need to promote peaceful co-existence among the youths for the radical development of the area.

    He maintained that it was only peace that can guarantee the needed development that Boki yearns for.

    According to him, since the communal and cult related clashes began, Boki has lost over 50 youths, a situation he said was worrisome.

    He explained that as a result of the quest to find a lasting solution for peace to return to Boki, he had decided to to embark on what he tagged “THE NEW BOKI PROJECT” so as to create other viable alternatives for the youths in Boki to explore their potentials.

    Pastor Ewa admonished the youths to shun cultism, saying that there was no gain in being a cultist.

    He advised the youths of Boki to channel their energies towards avenues that would improve their productive life.

    He disclosed that arrangements were on ground to use a facility that would enable the youths who are being rehabilitated to undergo some training and even acquire skills in order to be properly reintegrated to the society.

    The Heads of various Security Agencies who spoke at the event, advised the youths to shun cultism and embrace peace so that Boki can achieve the needed development.

    Members of the Boki Peace and Reconciliation Committee also spoke on the need for Boki youths to give peace a chance so that the needed developments would be attracted to Boki land.

    Some members of the youth groups who spoke on behalf of others, promised to turn a new leaf and support the administration of Pastor John Ewa’s efforts towards bringing lasting peace and developments to Boki nation.

    Highlights of the event was a pledge by the youths who promised to leave cultism and embrace peace and also support “THE NEW BOKI PROJECT”.

  • CRSG Trains Implementation Team For The N-CARES Project

    CRSG Trains Implementation Team For The N-CARES Project

     

    The Cross River State Government has trained a formidable team ahead of Nigeria COVID -19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) Projects, a CRSG Program, assisted by the World Bank through the Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC).

    The first milestone recorded ahead of Nigeria CARES Project was the official inauguration by His Excellency, Prof Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of CRS, in January 2021, of the Steering Committee Chaired by the Commissioner, MIDC, Inyang Asibong. Tha State was one of the first States in Nigeria to set modalities in line with the World Bank Standards for its implementation.

    The Programme is aimed at Restoring the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, maintaining food security, and facilitating the recovery of medium and small enterprises (MSEs) which are some of the key objectives set out in the Gov Ben Ayade led Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan to respond to the current economic crisis in Cross River State.

    The objectives of Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) project will be predicated on four result areas. (i) Increased social transfer, basic services, and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households (ii) Increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains for poor households (iii) Preventing collapse/facilitating the recovery of household/micro enterprises (iv)Strengthened institutional support for coordination and delivery.

    Speaking during the training ,the state Team Lead and Chairperson, Dr. Inyang Asibong, noted that the overall impact of the training should be felt by the masses as the project is design to ensure food security and provide livelihood support to poor and vulnerable families as well as facilitate the recovery of local economic activities in the state.
    The programme is set to roll out by the 2nd quarter of 2021.

    The training which held in Lagos and Abuja had in attendance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Finance, Barr Rosemary Archibong, Commissioner for Commerce, Ntufam Okon Owuna, Commissioner for Agriculture, Signor Omang Idiege, Commissioner for Youths and Skills Acquisition, amongst others.

  • CRS-NEWMAP Ready To Compensate Those Affected By The Intervention Across The State

    CRS-NEWMAP Ready To Compensate Those Affected By The Intervention Across The State

     

    The Cross River State Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (CRS-NEWMAP) has commenced the verification exercise to ensure adequate compensation for people whose structures fall within the circumference of the civil works for ongoing erosion remediation projects in the State, as they complete modalities for the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Implementation.

    In her remarks, the Acting Project Coordinator and Commissioner for International Development Corporation in the State, Dr. Inyang Asibong urged the verification team to be diligent and steadfast in the discharge of their duties whilst they ensure accurate data collation.

    She said a key objective of the CRS-NEWMAP is to improve the livelihood of affected persons and lessen the devastating effect of the gully erosion menace.

    In another development, the Commissioner, during a workshop organised by the CRS-NEWMAP Management in Calabar to sensitize communities on waste management and erosion prevention, goaded benefiting communities of the World Bank assisted projects to take ownership and guide the projects jealously.

    She frowned at the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains causing erosion and also reducing the effectiveness of the erosion control measures in some areas, whilst harping on the need to activate local waste management task force to checkmate this uncivil behavior.

    One of the benefiting communities of the projects, Ikot Ekpo community, commended the Gov Ben Ayade led administration for the various interventions across the State which has now gone beyond erosion and waste management to include the provision of portable drinking water, renovation of classroom blocks and provision of street lights. They took turns to assure a full ownership of the projects for optimal utilization and protection.

    The verification exercise was carried out at the latest intervention sites of Ikot Uduak and Ikot Effanga Mkpa in Calabar Municipality, Itate in Yala LGA, and Igaba in Obudu LGA.

    Also present at the activity were the State Auditor- General, Comrade John Odey, the Special Adviser on Audit, Mr Efem Ejaand the SSA on NEWMAP, Mr Francis Agaba amongst others.

  • UNICAL VC Dismisses Speculations Of Rift Between Her And The Registrar

    UNICAL VC Dismisses Speculations Of Rift Between Her And The Registrar

     

     

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has exposed the destructive works of rumour mongers and mischief makers on Campus.

    In her birthday message to the University Registrar, Amb. Gabriel Egbe, the Vice Chancellor dismissed the trending social media news on the rift between her and the Registrar as the handiwork of idle minds who have little or nothing to offer the university. She recalled the long cordial working relationship that has existed between her and Amb. Egbe, dating back to 2011 when, as Chairman of the University Housing Loan Implementation Committee, she was lucky to have Gabriel Egbe as her Secretary, and where, together, they recorded a phenomenal and unprecedented achievements in that Committee. She equally recalled that, at some time in her career when she suffered persecution in the system, and when everyone seemed to avoid her, Mr. Gabriel Egbe stood by her and never turned her down in any way.

    Prof FBO said she was happy and considered it the “hand of God” having to work with Mr. Egbe again as Registrar and Secretary to Council. She said “I have a perfect working relationship with Mr. Egbe … I laugh at everybody who tells stories that the VC wants to remove Gabriel Egbe”. She described the birthday celebrant as humble, respectful, hardworking, loyal and responsive.

    In her remarks, the Pro-Chanceĺor, Dist. Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu, CON, also paid glowing tribute to the Registrar, describing him as a hardworking, quiet and unassuming person who was a member of Council, representing Congregation from 2017 when she assumed duty as Chairman of the 12th Governing Council of the University before his appointment as Registrar. They both wished Mr Egbe well, and urged him to maintain the good work that has continue to stand him out.

  • Estimated Billing Will Soon Become A Thing Of The Past – Minister

    Estimated Billing Will Soon Become A Thing Of The Past – Minister

     

    The federal government has vowed to end the issue of estimated billing before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2023.

    Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, gave the assurances on Friday when he paid the Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifenyi Ugwuanyi courtesy call in his office.

    Agba who has been on a tour of facilities in the state said that the conflict between customers and distribution companies over the issue of estimated billing is of great concern to the government hence, the initiative to distribute six million free meters to Nigerians.

    He said that “the constant disagreement between customers and distribution companies over estimated billing has become of great concern to government. This is why President Muhammadu Buhari has given us the mandate to distribute free six million meters by the first half of this year.

    If we’re able to complete that by June, we’ll buy more meters and distribute for free to Nigerians. The programme is designed to continue till next year because our thinking is that by the end of this administration, if not all, three quarter of Nigerians should be metered”.

    While discussing the Refuse-Derived-Fuel Electricity Gastification Plant developed by the University of Nigeria, NSUKA, (UNN), the Minister said that if government at all levels key into the technology, it has the potential of solving 70 percent of Nigeria electricity issues.

    Also speaking, the Governor on his part, thanked the Minister for his interest in the state even as he appealed to the federal government to urgently come to the state’s aide in addressing its power challenges.

    Ugwuanyi lamented that about 300 transformers connecting half of the state essentially the Enugu North are no longer working due to age, over load and other related issues.

    He also revealed that in terms of bulk sharing, what the state was getting was inadequate and cannot serve their electricity needs hence, there was need for increase.

    According to him, “We have serious electricity issues in Enugu State. Over 300 transformers that provides light for half of the population of the state are bad. We used to have a lot of industries in this state but many of them have left because of lack of electricity.

    “We want to appeal to the federal government to complete the 3.2kv New Heaven power line. The President has been very supportive, there’s nothing I’ve taken to him that he has not addressed” .

    Hammering on the issue of estimated billing, he said that “Some local governments in this state did not have light for up to 7 months because of estimated billing until I had to intervene. I was in the National Assembly for 12 years but I did not see nay law that supports estimated billing. When customers complain of the outrageous bills they get, the next thing they do is to cut them off thereby promoting crime because economic activities are halted when there’s no light.

    We want to beg the Honourable Minister to give us light because Enugu is expanding, most of our people are returning home. We’re building industries massively, land has become even more expensive here than Abuja so, we need light “.

  • State-of-the-art Enugu NEMSA Building Excites Minister

    State-of-the-art Enugu NEMSA Building Excites Minister

     

    The Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work in the soon-to-be commissioned building of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) in Enugu State.

    The Minister while addressing journalists after touring the facility said that he was pleased that one of the agencies under him is set to deliver on yet another huge project.

    Agba said that the state-of-the-art building which will be furnished with ultramodern modern facilities is a national asset that will directly improve the quality of work of the agency’s staff covering area.

    According to him, “as an agency responsible for maintaining statutory technical standard, it was necessary for its staff to be provided with conducive environment to work because when the environment is not conducive, the result will be poor.

    This is why this project is so important. It’s a national asset. I’m satisfied with the quality of work so far so I want to congratulate the MD and his team for their sacrifices and commitment to achieving this”.

    The Managing Director of NEMSA, Engr. Peter Enesor said that the building which is 99 percent complete and billed for commissioning in the coming days will house meter testing station, laboratory and the inspectorate unit.

    Enesor who thanked the Honourable Minister for his vision and support in seeing to the completion of the project, assured that when commissioned, the facility will be properly maintained.

    The Minister after inspecting the building, toured some power installations in the state.

  • FG Pledges Support For UNN Refuse-Derived Power Plant

    FG Pledges Support For UNN Refuse-Derived Power Plant

     

    The federal government has pledged to support the University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN) to develop its 100KVA
    Refuse-Derived-Fuel Gastification Plant for electricity generation to address electricity challenges in the institution and Nigeria at large.

    Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, stated this on Thursday while on inspection of the facility.

    He said that the government is very impressed with the development and would do everything to support the institution to develop the innovation even more.

    The Minister added that, with the government ‘s investment in renewable and alternative energy, it is great that Indigenous Engineers and Scientists were coming up with inventions and ideas to boost the efforts of government.

    “I was not trying to impress the Vice Chancellor when I said that I’m impressed with what I’ve seen here. UNN has always set the pace and I’m very happy with this innovation.

    When I was told of this, the team lead, Prof. Emineke Ejiogu said they wanted to come to my office in Abuja to present it on video but I said no, I want to come down here and see things for myself so that when I want to present it to the President during Federal Executive Council meeting, I will do it convincingly. I have come and I’ve seen for myself”, the Minister said.

    The Minister added that “We have concluded the first phase of the Energizing Education Programme. We’re about to start the second phase. I’ll do all my best to see that UNN is one of the very first universities that we’ll start the next phase of installation of solar power plant in Federal Universities”.

    Speaking, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Igwe commended the Minister for his commitment and willingness to support the University to develop the innovation.

    The Vice Chancellor however appealed to the federal government to design a special electricity billing regime for universities and other tertiary institutions in the country.

    “We want to appeal to the federal government to design a special billing system for us. In UNN, when we get funds from Abuja, what we get for overhead is N7 million but what we pay for electricity alone every month is N70 – N80 million”, he said.

    The Head of the research team, Prof. Emineke Ejiogu said that the plant was designed and facilitated by the University ‘s Laboratory of Industrial Electronics, Power Devices, and New Energy Systems (LIEPNES).

    While saying that the plant is capable of reducing diesel consumption by 60 percent, he disclosed that the team with the support of the University, was already working on expanding the plant from 100KVA to 500KVA.