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  • Wife of Bekwarra Council Chairman, Embarks On Operation Back To School

    Wife of Bekwarra Council Chairman, Embarks On Operation Back To School

     

    In a deliberate effort to ameliorate the burden on parents as they get their children/wards back to school for the 2021/2022 first term academic session, the Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Hon Dr Emeka Josephat Owan throuuh His dear wife, Amb Mrs Lucy Owan embarked on “Operation Back to School”.

    The exercise commenced on tuesday, 11th October 2022 and lasted for two weeks with visitation to public primary schools across the Ten political wards of Bekwarra. The essence of the visit was to encourage all Bekwarra children in public primary schools to be hardworking and not relent in pursuing their dreams, as well as support their parents, considering the economic situations in the country.

    Highpoint of the exercise was the distribution of writing materials, textbooks, school bags, socks, and sandals to pupils in primary 1 to 6, as well as payment of school charges for some selected pupils.

    The school tour had in attendance the Director for Education, the Secretary, Bekwarra Education Authority, Supervisor for Education and other Council Appointees.

    Reacting to the kind and unprecedented gesture, the pupils and Head Teachers prayed God to Continue to bless the council chairman and his dear wife abundantly.

    The following were the schools visited during the tour:

    Gakem Ward:
    1. St Mark’s Primary School Gakem
    2. Community Primary School Akurinyi, Gakem
    3. St Bernard Primary School Ushara, Gakem
    4. Community Primary School Illah, Gakem

    Beten Ward:
    1. St. Justin Primary school, Beten
    2. St. Gregory’s Primary School Ikanda
    3. Community Primary School Abuana
    4. Johnpat Great Believers Academy, Akpakpa

    Otukpuru Ward:
    1. Community Primary School, Abuagbor Ukum.
    2. Community Primary School, Otukpuru-Afaa
    3. St. Theresa’s Primary School Bewo

    Abuochiche Ward:
    1. St Christopher Primary School, Abuochiche
    2. Holy Child Convent School. Abuochiche
    3. Excellent kids intentional nursery and primary school, Abuochiche, Bekwarra LGA

    Ibiaragidi Ward:
    1. St Peter’s Primary School, Ebegang
    2. St Dominic Primary School, Ibiaragidi-Iye
    3. St Sylvester primary School, Ububa Iye
    4. Community Primary School Ibiaragidi
    5. St . Celestine’s Primary School, Anyikang
    6. Federal Model Primary School Anyikang Alilam

    Nyanya Ward:
    1. Sacred Heart Primary school,Nyanya Idigwe
    2. St Edward’s Primary School Nyanya Ulim
    3. Community Primary School, Ugbamu, Nyanya.

    Ugboro Ward:
    1. St Paul Primary School, Utukwe
    2. St. Peter’s Primary School, Akurinyi
    3. St. Clement’s Primary School, Ugboro

    Afrike Okpeche Ward:
    1. St Ignatius Primary School, Afrike okpeche
    2. Community Primary School, American, Afrike Okpeche.

    Afrike Ochagbe:
    1. Community Primary School chool, Ilagos Ikahor, Ochagbe
    2. Community primary School, Kaduna Ochagbe
    3. St David’s Primary School Ochagbe

    Ukpah Ward:
    1. St. Augustine’s Primary School, Ukpah
    2. St Stephen’s Primary School Ukpah
    3. Holy Child Convent Primary School Ukpah
    4. St. Finbar’s Primary School Ukparibu

     

  • The Impending Battle For The Soul Of Cross River North BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    The Impending Battle For The Soul Of Cross River North BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    This is by far, the most expected battle ground in the elections of 2023, more than the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after, ofcourse, the Governorship itself. And the reasons are quite simple. It is already shaping up to be the contest between the Leviathan and the people, the monstrous influence of government and the convinced resolve of the citizens. The dramatis personae are also both equally determined to win the diadem and bring the trophy home either as a personal memento or the carcas of a slain elephant to be shared amongst all, at the village square.

    Who would have thought that the day will come when someone will look a sitting Governor in the eye and stake a similar claim to his cherished fancy. But that day has already come in the Northern Senatorial Zone because the Governor dropped the ball. And now the die is cast! And the man of power and means, the gorgon medusa, finds himself standing bare nockled in the ring with the man of the people, who he has driven to become his nemesis, poised for battle in Philipi.

    If only Professor Ben Ayade had heeded to the often repeated cliché that “a stitch in time saves nine” , Napoleon’s Waterloo may well have been averted. But he did not. He spent too much time listening to the sound of his own voice and dancing trendy steps to the singing and clapping of his appointed choir. No wonder Oscar Wilde wrote that “education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”

    In the sunset of 2014, Senator Jarigbe Agom was as excited about an Ayade Governorship as Ayade himself is now inebriated by the pomp and circumstance of his own reign. It was he who broke the news to me in Ikom with excitement, that Governor Imoke has asked Senator Ayade to go ahead and pick the Governorship form. Jarigbe thereafter pulled all the stomps to help put him in office, buoyed such as he was with the idea of a Northern Governorship at last, and his ironclad belief in the ability of the then Senator to positively come through for the North and for the state.

    Alas, no sooner did Ayade ascend the apogee than he looked down from Olympus cursing the base degrees upon which he recently ascended. (I’m sure Shakespeare wrote something of the sort). And then he kicked away the ladder, sending it cantering unto the ground. Oh, what a tragic fall that was! Out of the ashes, however, Jarigbe rose like the phoenix in classical mythology putting on an iron coat to become not even a third term Congressman, but a Senator of the federal republic.

    As Senator, Jarigbe has reset the standard for that office and carved a broad new spectre for himself where even angels will fear to thread without his express permission. He has been creative, resourceful, caring and generous. He has shown the people of the North that it is possible to bring the dividends of democracy to them from Abuja and the people believe him. They believe him because they have seen his work and felt his impact both personally and in their communities. The even call him “the Governor of the North”.

    Governor Ayade is by all means also a worthy son of the North and a scion of Obudu. With his government left with only a few months to put to shore, he has appointed thousands of people into nonexistent offices to help him win back the Senate. For him it is an existential threat and failure is not an option to contemplate because his pride, his future safety and happiness are all at stake. For Ayade the senate is both his life and his future.

    As government appointees prattle and rattle with irreverent pomp and bombast, gushing out expletives and adamant Facebook posts, the word on the street is saying otherwise and every signal continues to point irrevocably in the direction of the Unconquered Generation and its army of self-convinced, self-propelled combatants. Welcome to the Kingdom of BIVAS, the boogeyman of the men in power and of power.

     

    

  • Imo Police Command Parades Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With The Gruesome Murder Of Their Colleague

    Imo Police Command Parades Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With The Gruesome Murder Of Their Colleague

    The Imo State Police Command has paraded the two suspects arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of their colleague, Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu, a cashier of a gas plant in Owerri, Imo State.

    LIB had reported that that Nwachukwu was allegedly killed by her coworkers and her body buried in a shallow grave within the premises of the gas plant.

    The victim was allegedly murdered by the suspects including the manager, in an attempt to steal the company’s money.

    Spokesperson of the command, CSP Michael Abattam, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, November 7, 2022, said a shovel and a cutlass believed to be the murder weapons used in killing the victim, were recovered from the shallow grave.

    According to the PPRO, the two suspects are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Nwachukwu while two others are on the run.

    “Following a case of Missing Person reported on the 24/10/2022 by the family of young woman, Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu aged 36yrs who left home for work at HALIM 633 SYNERGY COOKING GAS STATION, Toronto/Road Safety by MCC Road Owerri, Imo State and never returned home,” the statement read.

    “After a futile search, the family decided to complain to the Commissioner of Police through a petition written by one Pastor Mrs Precious Abara. On receipt of the petition, it was immediately referred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) for discreet investigation. Detectives from the FORENSIC SECTION were detailed to investigate in conjunction with a team of CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS (CSI’s) led by Inspector Obele Fredrick.

    “The investigating team, on the 26/10/2022 at about 1200 hours left the Police Headquarters to the scene of crime on investigation, armed with Forensic Equipments. On arrival, preliminary investigation revealed that Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu who doubles as the Secretary/Cashier of the Gas Plant, takes the weekly money sales to the bank on Tuesdays and manages the day to day running of the company because the owner who resides abroad entrusts the business in her care.

    “These unfolding revelations gave the team of detectives an insight into puzzle surrounding the disappearance of the lady and a thorough search was made in the premises of the entire gas station for clues.

    “Unfortunately, nothing incriminating was discovered hence they moved to the back of the COOKING GAS STATION. In the course of search, a blood stain was observed on the wall of the fence. This made the team to suspect fowl play hence, they carefully and professionally traced the blood stain to an area where dried grasses were packed deceptively with two heavy stones placed on them to create an impression that nothing has been done around area for long time.

    “But, the operatives were not fooled. They removed the heavy stones, the grasses and gently dugged out the earth, alas an offensive stench oozed out. Excitedly, they dug further only to discover it was a shallow grave. Inside was a shovel and a cutlass and the decomposing body of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu.

    “Consequently, the corpse was exhumed, the shovel and cutlass recovered to the Station. Hypothetically, it is reasonably suspected that the two items recovered in the shallow grave are the murder weapons used in killing the victim.

    “The corpse was later evacuated and deposited at Federal Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

    “Two suspects have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation for the gruesome murder of Miss Joy Uchechi Nwachukwu while, two others are on the run.

    “The police operatives are not relenting in their search for the fleeing suspects and within the shortest possible time, they will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement conncluded.

    Lindaikeji

  • Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

    Sandy Onor Donates 3M For The Construction Of A Passage Way At Ndebeji Collapsed Bridge

     

    The Governorship Candidate of the PDP and Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor has donated the sum of Three Million Naira (#3,000,000.00) for the construction of a passage way to ease movement on the broken bridge of Eku near New Ndebeji Community in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State.

    Senator Onor made the donation on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 in Calabar when the committee saddled with the responsibility to create a safe passage way paid a courtesy call on the governorship candidate.

    Making the donation on behalf of Sen Onor, Ntufam Dr Omang Ntui admonished the committee to make judicious use of the resources in order to achieve timely result considering the stalled human and vehicular movement in and out of the community.

    Responding on behalf of the group, the elated Chairman of the committee to over see the creation of a safe passage route, and village head of Akoh, Ntufam ASU Clement said: “We have never had someone like him. Today, we ‘re grateful that our own son, Senator Sandy Onor heard our cry and came in timely to intervene and assist us. We thank him so much.”

    Recall that Sen Sandy Onor was the first public office holder to visit the stranded communities and motorist, when the bridge collapsed, he had promised to engage and facilitate more allocation for the construction of the road; an improvement of the previous budgetary provision he had facilitated.

    Caterpillar Movement Media

  • C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    C’River: Back To South Crumbles As Southern Youths Signs Pact With Sandy

    Isabella Okon, Calabar

    A death knell has sounded for the vociferous clamour by select politicians in Cross River popularly christened “Back To South” which demanded outright zoning of the governorship ticket from all political parties to the southern senatorial district ahead 2023 Elections.

    The fatal blow to the clamour followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between youths from the seven local government areas in the south under the aegis of Progressive Southern Alliance and the PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Sandy Onor in Calabar

    Speaking at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders before accenting to the MOU, the People’s Democratic Party standard bearer Senator Sandy Onor lauded the bold steps demonstrated by opinion leaders behind the initiative, stressing that sectional interest must never be allowed to scuttle concerted efforts to reclaim the state from imminent collapse .

    According to him “Back to South” was a selfish concept driven by ulterior motive, intended to promote mediocrity and prolong the current decay in our dear state for mere personal interest of some few elites. Anyone with genuine interest in the well-being of Cross River State would never support the current administration to perpetuate itself in power under any guise.”

    “We can not sacrifice competent ,experience, dexterity,academic prowess and charisma on the altar on ethnicity. We have outgrown such myopic persuasions. Besides, I am an Ejaham man from Akamkpa maternally, therefore, I am eminently qualified in all ramifications. I am indeed the best candidate in terns of education,experience, exposure and charisma”

    Senator Onor stressed that” I have been a reliable and trusted friend of the Efiks, in 1998 when some prominent politicians in All People’s Party APP then ganged up that an Efik man can never be a governor, Prof Eyo Etim Nyong who emerged as the APP Governorship candidate was replaced with Mark Ukpo overnight ,though I was in APP, I mobilized men and resources in Central and Northern parts of this state to support Mr Donald Duke of PDP because I saw potentials in him. That was how Donald became our governor in 1999.You can verify from them. Let’s dwell on issues that unite and accelerate the development of our state. I would be a governor for all”

    In her remarks, the Deputy Governorship Candidate , Emana Ambrose Amanhwe said it was time for the south to mainstream its interest in the incoming administration in order to guarantee attainment of peculiar issue affecting the the senatorial district.

    In his address, the coordinator of the Progressive Southern Alliance Asuquo Bassey Solomon revealed that the initiative was meant to provide a platform to address misconceptions and paved the way for an all inclusive government while foisting a united front to guarantee victory at the poll in 2023.

    Parts of the MOU stipulate revamping of the tourism sector of the state, Tinapa, Obudu Resort , jobs creation, good governance and key roles for supporters from all PDP Governorship aspirants in the campaign organization.

    Professor Offiong Ani, Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong, Esu Coco Bassey, Asuquo Solomon among others facilitated the summit.

  • Sen Jarigbe Agom Replies Gov Ben Ayade, Says He Has Never Been Ayade’s Boy, And That God Rules Over The Affairs Of Men

    Sen Jarigbe Agom Replies Gov Ben Ayade, Says He Has Never Been Ayade’s Boy, And That God Rules Over The Affairs Of Men

    PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT AND EXPOSING THE LIES OF GOV AYADE:

    GOV AYADE HELD A MEETING WITH APC PARTY STAKEHOLDERS AND STATED THIS;

    1. That I, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe was his Boy.

    CORRECTION:

    I am in my 50s and Ayade is in his 50s, from the records in his preferred Age Declaration. I never heard of the name, Ayade, in Cross River State, until I turned 36, when he came to run for the Senate Primary Election against Senator Greg Ngaji and I was running for the House of Representatives. He was asked not to run, because he was a political neophyte and could not stand the storm of going against Sen Greg Ngaji. I took part in that House of Reps Primary Election and it was skewed for Hon Gabe Edi. I came after Gabe in that Primary Election. It was later, I got to know that Ben Ayade, was the young man who was Hon Emma Ibeshi’s boy, when Hon Emma Ibeshi was running for the House of Representatives in 1992.

    At what point would I have been his boy, when I had already established a business in 1995 and bought my first Car in 1996, during the Military ? At that time, did Gov Ben Ayade own a bicycle ? At what point did I become a boy to someone in my age bracket? I grew up from a proper home and was brought up to work hard, so I will not carry hand bags for my peers. Ayade’s fantasy of being in a position to suppress and Lord over people, has do with his psychology. God has made it impossible for me to belong to the group of people that will be subservient to him, even as Governor. Foreg, he could not stop me from becoming a Senator of the FRN. God rules in the affairs of men.

    Gov Ayade was in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, but did not see me in his Office or Home, asking for a favor, nether did he get a Call from me, soliciting for help. We all supported him to go to the Senate. In 2015, when he came to run for Governor, I was in the forefront of the agitation, because I felt he was the highest political office holder from Cross River North. He was skeptical because there were no clear signals, but I urged him on, because I was in a position to appreciate the issues, better than he did. When he emerged as Gov, he always asked me, how I knew he was going to be Governor. He always wondered if I had a crystal ball, LOL. Today , out of puerile excitement and superiority complex, he has the effontery to refer to a Serving Senator as his Boy. Why should a man lie to himself ?

    Ayade has asked that Water Boreholes be drilled in Communities across the North, leaving out other Senatorial Districts, because he wants votes from the North, to win the Senate Seat. This is because I have provided Water for our people and I have become his ROLE MODEL. He will soon Constuct Street Lights, because I have done so. I have also completed the Construction of some roads in Cross River North. He should also complete the only one he started in 2016, from Mfom to Obudu. It’s 6 years and running. It is simple logic that, your Role Model cannot be your Boy.

    Ayade has come to fool us again, in an attempt at getting the Senate Seat, because our people are vulnerable and most of us are impecunious, but I know that God will reveal the truth, make our people strong and resilient, so that Ayade will never happen to us again, as a people.

    Finally, Power comes from God and He should choose between Ayade and I, who will best serve the interest of our People. Getting paranoid, because of just food will not help us. Ayade has made a lot of you guys, build castles in the air for the past 12 years and it should be clear that you have been basking in the euphoria of an optical illusion.

    Happy Sunday.

    Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Senator Representing Cross River North Senatorial District.

  • #500m Stabilization Fund: Cross River State Is A Crime Scene BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

    #500m Stabilization Fund: Cross River State Is A Crime Scene BY UMEZULIKE DESMOND-CRUZ

     

    A senior citizen of this State called me earlier today and insisted that he would love to read my opinion on the trending issue of #500million Stabilization fund received monthly by the government of Cross River State as revealed by the RMAFC recently. Though, a Chieftain of the APC and a close ally of the Governor from the Northern Senatorial District, he had expected me to heap a truck load of coal on the governor over the issue. While I admit that the CPS to the governor tried strenuously to robe the past administration of His Excellency, Mr Liyel Imoke, into the inglorious Bakassi-gate saga, by alluding to the fact that the state have been receiving the #500million since 2008. By making reference to past administration, the CPS aimed to gaslight Cross Riverians and stylistically shift the focus from an issue-based debate to partisan Politics. The aim is simply to share the blame equally between Leaders of the PDP and that of APC, thereby turning a serious matter into Political chicanery.

    But then, I feel there’s a dimension to this whole thing that we care less about. The truth is, there’s an organized crime going on in this state, orchestrated by the elites and fueled by their inordinate desire for resource control and one of the conduit pipe for such display of avarice is the Bakassi Resettlement Project. Since the lost of Bakassi peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon and the subsequent lost of 76 Oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, they have been a few elites eating fat from the plight of Cross Riverians, irrespective of their Political Party affiliation. Till date, they are still Cross Riverians amongst the elites whose company accounts are used to launder money and subsequently shared amongst few cartels in this State. Have you bothered to ask yourself why some elites, even those in the opposition Party, don’t have the nerves to speak even if our state is on fire? The answer is simple, most of them are complicit in this heinous crime against our state. I know of one woman that have continued to make a heavy fortune out of the plight of the people of Bakassi, unfortunately, while she continues to milk her own people, she’s lionized and canonize by the same people whose future and destiny she has bastardized.

    The control of resources, like in most Capitalist venture, is the major yardstick for Politics in this state. Most of our leaders are not necessarily interested in what becomes of the State. They are only interested in what becomes of them and their pockets. This is why you hardly see or hear them condemn the ills of this current administration, because they are either benefiting from it or hoping to benefit.

    By the way, why are we all acting surprised about the #500million as if we are not aware that this current administration is the era of Intellectual Money and Other People’s Money? Is this not the same administration that received 18billion Naira from Federal Government as payment for the Federal Government Roads constructed/maintained by past administrations? Is this not the same administration that received Paris Refund money, Bailout funds and receives ecological funds yet cannot holistically account for it. If they can voraciously gulp 18billion Naira, Paris Refund, Ecological fund, Bail out Funds, what is small sum of #500million that they cannot embezzle?

    #500million is it for eba, is it for Garri, is it for Ewa, dodo or Agbado?

    May Affliction Never Arise The Second Time!!!

    *©Umezulike Desmond-cruz*

  • Wike, Saraki, Lawan, Cross River Elites Storms Sen Sandy Onor’s Book Presentation

    Wike, Saraki, Lawan, Cross River Elites Storms Sen Sandy Onor’s Book Presentation

    By Ndifon Joseph

    Captains of industries, the political class, business men & women as well as members of the academic community within and outside the state on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 converged at the Nigerian Airfoce (NAF) Conference Centre, Abuja to witness the historic and landmark Public Presentation of “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity,” a critique of previous scholarship and insights that validates the existence of a long lasting and dynamic relationship amongst the various ethnicities before the advent of Europeans, meticulously written by Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, an academic colossus cum erudite professor of African History.

    A document for historical reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation, “it is well researched and properly written; using the skills and method of the historian. Sen Onor painstakingly captured the high degree of sacrifices, compromises, team work, harmonisations, reconciliation, assimilation, enculturation and blending that set in motion the slow but steady process that culminated in the emergence of the Nigerian state” (Ahmed Lawan PhD).

    The book offers compelling answers to critical national queations, national issues of disquieting crises of relations, development and nation building confronting contemporary Nigeria. And as contained therein, critical National Question would remain intractable and insurmountable only if we continue to fail in managing and converting our diversities into assets like most nations characterized by ethnic plurality have done around the world.

    Declaring the event opened, the Chairman of the Occasion, His Excellency Dr Bukola Saraki, ably represented by former Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam AbdulFatai Ahmed, described “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” as apt, timely and a recipe for the 2023 General Elections.

    The Book Reviewer and Director of Research, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, Prof Chris B N Ogbogbo described the scholarly work as “Refreshing, in a class of its own and a breath of fresh air from the centrifugal calls across the country.” He recommended the “Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” to be read and distributed not just by patriots, but all those who intend to ginger the patriotic spirit.

    On his part, the Chief Presenter and Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, represented by the Attorney General of the state, Barr Zaccheus Adongor, congratulated the author for the feat and auspiciousness of the occasion which he described as “Rich intellectual assembly” and stressed the need for equity and fairness in our polity while allowing constituents units to grow and develop at their pace and speed; the fundamental principles of federalism. He made a donation of 20Milliom Naira.

    The occasion witnessed rendition of goodwill messages from different stakeholders. The Cross River State Chairman of the PDP, Barr Venatius Ikem described the author as an outstanding and erudite scholar whom Crossrivarians would gladly donate to the centre in views of his competence for global service. The Deputy-Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Lady Emana-Duke Ambrose Amawhe appluaded the author for dedicating a chapter exclusively for women.

    A former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri described”Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity” as Nigeria’s history under the umbrella. An elder statesman and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) called for the establishment of a National Integration Commission, a commission to integrate the nation. President of the Senate, His Excellency Dr Ahmed Lawan described the occasion as an event for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the investiture and formal induction of the author, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor as Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Nigeria’s famous and oldest professional body.

    The author, Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor graduated top of his class from the prestigious University of Calabar in 1987 where he studied History and International Relations and proceeded to bag a PhD in African History from the same department where he also started his academic career. A highly referenced, recognized and decorated scholar, Senator Prof Sandy Onor currently serves as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing the good people of Cross River Central Senatorial District and holds the Governorship ticket of the PDP to reclaim and restore Cross River State.

  • N500m Stabilization Fund: The Lie From Abuja And The Silence From Calabar BY AGBA JALINGO

    N500m Stabilization Fund: The Lie From Abuja And The Silence From Calabar BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Barely forty days to the end of former Cross River Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke’s administration, in a petition dated April 16, 2015, Cross River lawyer and former presidential aide, Okoi Obono Obla, petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, to investigate the expenditure of allocations to the 18 local governments in Cross River State from the federation account, under Imoke’s watch.

    The petitioner, Obono Obla, amongst other demands, asked the EFCC to investigate the expenditure of the sum of N15 Billion by Governor Liyel Imoke approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ameliorate the economic losses suffered by Cross River State as a result of the judgment of the Supreme Court that led to the loss of 76 Oil Wells to Akwa Ibom State by Cross River State and the transfer of the sovereignty of Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon.

    And to also investigate the expenditure of a monthly augmentation of N500m (Five Hundred Million Naira) from the Stabilization Fund paid to the Cross River State Government in 2013 by the Federal Government of Nigeria for two years at the first instance.

    Obla’s request was sequel to information disclosed in a leaked letter dated April 12, 2014 which the RMAFC sent to Imoke, requesting to visit the State to monitor and evaluate what the Bakassi intervention fund had achieved. The letter also disclosed that a lump sum of fifteen billion naira was released from the Stabilization Fund by RMAFC, to the Cross River State government, plus five hundred million naira monthly augmentation for two years, amounting to 6 billion naira, which was also paid in bulk in June 2013. In addition to another N400million Naira every month. (The letter is attached here.)

    Then in May 2017, a former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Aliyu Mohammed, during a visit to the State to see Governor Ayade, said as part of efforts to assuage the pains caused by the loss of Bakassi, about N38billion has been paid as special allocation to the State by the Federal Government over a period of 11 years, as compensation.

    CrossRiverWatch has been tracking this development since 2012. So when the incumbent Chairman of RMAFC, Mr. A.M. Shehu, mentioned $500million, it conflicted with all I have heard previously about this matter and created doubts in my mind. While it is clear that A.M. Shehu, told a lie about the currency they send to Cross River State and replaced Naira with Dollars, it is even more worrisome that Calabar is silent on the whereabouts of the money. Calabar is more anxious to tell us it wasn’t Dollars but reluctant to tell us what the Naira they accept they have been collecting has been utilized on.

    After joining their political party, Obono Obla, abandoned the petitions he wrote against Governor Imoke and the press statement from Governor Ayade’s office on Friday, though conceded that they get N500m every month, still didn’t not tell the public what exactly the money has been used for. That exactly should be our bone of contention. It is our right to know and we need to know and we actually need to know NOW!

    Meanwhile, I was abruptly corrected yesterday during an interview with a relevant source. A top source in RMAFC, who pleaded anonymity, told yours sincerely that, contrary to what people are saying, the Bakassi augmentation fund is meant for the entire Cross River State and not one LGA alone.

    The source said: “Before Cross River lost the Bakassi oil wells to Akwa Ibom, money for the 76 oil wells was not sent to Bakassi LGA alone. It was part of the Cross River State share from FAAC for the development of all the LGAs. Bakassi LGA has its own share from the center like the other 17 LGAs. The augmentation is to serve the same purpose that the oil revenue was serving and I am sure the revenue was not used in Bakassi alone. It is for the whole of Cross River State to augment her allocation for the lose of revenue following the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon. I need you to correct that impression out there please.”

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Matters Arrising From That 500M Monthly Manna From Heaven BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Matters Arrising From That 500M Monthly Manna From Heaven BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    As a leading member of PANDEF in Cross River State and the All Cross River Nationals Forum, together with Honourable Bassey Ekefre, Eric Ani Esin, Dr Joe Edet, Col. PAM Ogar Senator Bassey Henshaw, General Ennang, late AVM Osim, among others, we have severally discussed strategies to engage the Federal Government on the necessity to provide adequate compensation to Cross River State for the loss of the notorious 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State. Little did we know that the Federal Government was already providing such necessary assistance to the state on a consistent basis.

    There had been a flurry of activities on the back of that loss in the form of compensation to the people of Bakassi and provision of living homes for those who relocated back to Nigeria back then, but regrettably, neither Governors Liyel Imoke nor Ben Ayade has told Cross Riverians the true facts and figures thereof. It would take the Chairman of RMFC (who himself could not distinguish the difference between Naira and USD) to bust open the Pandora box.

    What is clear to the people right now is that the N500m monthly payment is not lumped into the monthly allocation to the state, but rather paid alone, or perhaps under the table. Therefore when figures of income accruing to Cross River State are advertised by the Governors freely to underscore the poverty of the state, the regular and consistent payment of the N500m to shake off our sterile and mendicant curse is never mentioned.

    In the present dispensation, the question to ask is whether that sum is reflected in the budget of
    QUANTUM INFINITUM, or its mouth-filling predecessors in the last seven-plus years, or not. If it has not been captured in all these budgets, then where and how has the money been expended? Again, why have Governor Ben Ayade and his predecessor, Liyel Imoke been so close-lipped about these payments?

    I was bemused by the Press Release from the Governor’s Office in which the use of the wrong currency was sufficiently belaboured, followed by a tortured admission of the receipt of the invisible monies. Even if the entire windfalls have dissolved into debt repayment should the people on behalf of whom Government collects these monies not know about it? Why should it take one Fulani man who could not tell the difference between the Naira and the greenback to make the great announcement on national television for Cross Riverians to know and for government to finally admit the fact?

    The very idea of democracy is coterminus with transparency because it promises a government of the people, by the people and for the people. That being the case, the people reserve the right to know about their money and the use to which it has been put even as they continue to endure an electoral authoritarian regime in the hands of people who may have come to town without a stitch of moral fibre or a whif of political philosophy.