The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • PDP Condemns The Manhandling Of Road Sweepers In Calabar

    PDP Condemns The Manhandling Of Road Sweepers In Calabar

    The People’s Democratic Party PDP has condemned in strong terms the inhuman mated on protesting roadside sweepers who have been owed a paltry sum of #7,500.00 for six months in Calabar.

    The PDP in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Mike Ojisi and sighted by TheLumineNews, admonishes them to remain calm and law abiding for there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

    The release reads in full “The Peoples Democratic Party Cross River State Condemn in totality the inhumane, barbaric and demonic treatment meted out on our aged mothers by some overzealous Police Officers trying to ingratiate some unscrupulous elements in Power. We call on the governor and the Commissioner of Police to expeditiously launch investigation into this flagrant act of human right abuse, as the right to protest is a fundamental human rights especially amongst workers protesting for their Salary.

    “More so, we enjoin the state government to further investigate the nonpayment of Salary to these environmental workers as they are our unsung heroes that have continued to work assiduously in keeping our city clean and green.

    “We sympathize with all those manhandled by the Police during the protest for their rights, while admonishing them to remain calm and law abiding for there will be light at the end of the tunnel”

  • NSIP: C’River Flags Off Government Enterprise Empowerment Program, GEEP 2.0

    NSIP: C’River Flags Off Government Enterprise Empowerment Program, GEEP 2.0

     

    In a bid to better the welfare of Cross Riverians, the governor, Sen Ben Ayade has brought in yet another Program under the National Social Investment Programme NSIP, christened Government Enterprise Empowerment Program to Cross River state.

    The Program GEEP 2.0 is one of the four programs under the NSIP targeted at empowering Cross Riverians who are already into business enterprises such as Traders, Artisans, famers, agricultural workers, and other categories of Micro, small and medium enterprises in furtherance to poverty eradication, employment generation, growth and development of MSMes in the state.

    Speaking during the Flag off and Training of Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers (C.O.M.O.S), the Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare services Mrs Blessing Egbara, who doubles as the Focal person to the NSIP in Cross River State, hailed Governor Ben Ayade for his wisdom in creating the state Ministry of Humanity and Social Welfare services which has so far drawn lots of federal government programs to the state.

    Mrs Egbara disclosed that the GEEP 2.0 program is a program that will elevate thousands of Cross Riverians, adding that “since the commencement of the NSIP in Cross River state, Millions of Cross Riverians have benefited from the NSIP, thanks to the wisdom and systematic structure of His Excellency Senator Prof Benedict Ayade towards to the well being of Cross Riverians”.

    Mrs Egbara urged all Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers to go out and deliver on the task given to them, stressing that there will be no room for indiscipline and fowl play.

    “I call on you all today to take the task ahead very serious, the master trainer will put you through on what needs to be done, i hope and believe that you will not bring bad name to Cross River state as we are known nationally as a state without bad records when it comes to the NSIP, so I want to urge you all to take this task very seriously” – She Maintained

    Speaking on behalf of the Minster for Humanitarian Affairs Mr Sunday Oko, applauded Governor Ben Ayade for creating a safe environment for the operation of the NSIP in the State, he thanked the Governor for his continuous support and efforts in ensuring that Cross River State gains from Federal government Humanitarian Programs.

    Mr Oko further revealed that after the training of C.O.M.Os, the next phase is sensitization and Enumeration of the targeted beneficiaries, adding that the loan structure ranges from 10,000 to 300,000 for beneficiaries that will cut across the 18 Local Government Areas.

  • Social Safety Net: Cross River Flags Off World Bank State-wide Rapid Response Register

    Social Safety Net: Cross River Flags Off World Bank State-wide Rapid Response Register

    By Admin

    Cross River State Government has flaged off the Rapid Response Register (RRR), that will enable the low-income earners benefit from stipends as part of measures to ease the state economy from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

    The state Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong while performing the flag off in Calabar Municipality Area of Cross River, said the target beneficiaries are “self-employed”, “wage employed” and “urban poor.”

    Asibong said Cross River State Government is collaborating with the World Bank , using “cutting-edge” technology, to undertake a pilot scheme for the programme.

    The commissioner explained that with the flag off, vulnerable people will be captured in the National Social Register (NSR) to enable them benefit from the National Social Safety net programme.

    “Governor Ben Ayade made this new opportunity possible , leveraging on the support of the Federal Government to enable this category of people, who were not previously captured in the social register, to rapidly identify, register and provide them with succour.

    “The RRR is designed to focus mainly on the urban poor wards selected using scientifically validated methods of satellite remote sensing technology, machine learning algorithm and big data analysis.

    “We are keying into the social protection method with the first strategy to be developed and tested across the 18 local government areas ,starting with 6 LGAs with poverty index in Cross River State.

    “Cross River State Government has flaged off the Rapid Response Register (RRR) Scheme aimed at reducing poverty among the poor and vulnerable citizens across the State”she added.

    Those in attendance at the flag off were Mr. Chris Anake, State Coordinator NASSCO; Mrs. Mbong Ausaji, Director of Administration MIDC; Mr. Mike Mgbekem, Director of Programs, MIDC; Mr. Otu Edem, Director PRS as well as the management and staff of State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU).

  • Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    Converting Our Secretariat To APC Is Illegal, Immature Politicking – PDP

    By Admin

    STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY THE PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE, CROSS RIVER STATE, IN REACTION TO EVENTS FOLLOWING THE DEFECTION OF GOVERNOR BEN AYADE TO THE APC

    1. On Thursday, the 20th of May, 2021, Senator Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State elected on the platform of our party the PDP, defected to the APC. His defection was unprovoked. The reason given by the governor for his action being his admiration for the way President Buhari is running the affairs of the country with absolute integrity. It is Buhari’s sterling management of the Nigerian economy and the affairs of the country in general, especially the handling of herdsmen farmers crisis, that so impressed Governor Ben Ayade that he feels drawn to support the President by decamping to the APC.

    2. Members of the PDP in Cross River State, even nationally, are not in the least surprised by Governor Ayade’s decision to decamp; he openly admitted that he has been sitting on the fence and dancing. We are relieved that the Governor has finally, we hope, come down from the fence on the side of the APC. This will allow our party some space to regenerate the internal peace and cohesion that existed in the Cross River PDP family before Governor Ayade happened upon us. We respect Governor Ayade’s choice and wish him and the APC peace and equanimity.

    3. On 22nd May, 2021, two days after defecting from our party, Governor Ayade, now a full-fledged APC member, invaded the state secretariat of PDP at 42A Murtala Mohamed Highway, Calabar, with thugs under the cover of armed men of the Nigerian Police force, Cross River Command. Governor Ayade forcefully took over the secretariat and on his instructions the building has now been repainted in the colours of the APC. We understand that the building now serves as one of the several state secretariats of the APC in Calabar. The building currently stands, under guard by the police, painted in APC colours, flying the APC flags, as monumental signpost of impunity, political rascality and absolute disregard for law and order.

    4. We had earlier raised alarm that vital documents, sensitive party membership registers and other facilities are being carted away or destroyed. That situation has not abated.

    5. This building has served as the state secretariat of PDP for over 22 years; it was the secretariat of the PDP even before Governor Ayade joined PDP. The current rent for the property has been paid and the tenancy of PDP subsists. The rent receipts issued to our party, in the name of PDP, are available in proof. The Lessor who rented the property to the PDP, has issued a statement to the effect that PDP is the lawful tenant, and there is not arrangement to have APC as tenant on the property. Clearly the invasion and occupation of the building is immature politics, unnecessary provocation and outrightly illegal.

    6. In an official statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Ayade defended his invasion of the PDP secretariat on the ground that he paid the rent for the current year. We do not know who governor Ayade gave money to; he can ask for his refund because PDP paid the rents and we have the rent receipts to show. Governor Ayade can bring his own proof of payment. Neither Governor Ayade nor the APC are privy to the tenancy agreement between the PDP and the Lessor.

    7. Even if PDP were in breach of any term of the tenancy (which we are not), there are laid down processes and procedure for ejection of tenants and recovery of premises which need to be followed. A third party has no right to forcefully move in and occupy a building with a sitting tenant still in lawful possession. It may be necessary for Governor Ayade to seek some education in this elementary area of law so he may mitigate his embarrassment.

    8. Upon decamping to APC Governor Ayade declared pompously that in Cross River once the Governor moves everyone follows. To Governor Ayade’s consternation and embarrassment, nobody followed. Governor Ayade has now adopted unconstitutional methods to compel his cabinet and appointees, and other public office holders to follow him to the APC against their choice of remaining in PDP. Members of the House of Assembly have been offered 2 million naira and an SUV each if they agree to decamp. Commissioners in Ayade’s cabinet are being offered 3 million naira and a car each to defect to the APC. Local government chairmen and councillors are under threat of removal from office unless they defect. All appointees of the governor have been instructed to produce their APC membership cards before they can receive salaries.

    9. The defection of Governor Ayade to APC is to cost Cross Riverians 2 Billion naira. This is what Ayade needs to buy defectors from even his cabinet to follow him to the APC. Even this filthy lucre put forward by Governor Ayade is not enough to compel obedience as several commissioners from his cabinet, and majority of members of the House of Assembly and other political office holders have elected to reject the Greek gift and stay with the people of Cross River State in PDP.

    10. Governor Ayade can readily expend 2 billion naira to fund his defection to APC because he has ready cash from the almost 19 Billion naira recently paid to Cross River state as refund for federal road maintenance undertaken by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. Governor Ayade has refused to declare this money to the people of Cross River state and is frittering it away on purposes other than the common good of Cross Riverians.

    11. We call on Governor Ayade to declare this 19 billion which is the single largest revenue flow to Cross River State since the creation of the state, and to apply same in infrastructure like rural roads, urban road network and water which benefits the common man. We are all embarrassed that governor Ayade inherited the best public water supply systems developed by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke across the state, and has allowed them today to all fall into disrepair. Our people have gone back to streams and wells for water.

    12. Magistrates in Cross River state have been demonstrating at the gate of Governor Ayade’s office demanding 2 years unpaid salaries. Two days ago teachers were on the streets of Calabar demonstrating in demand for 5 years of unpaid salaries. Pensioners in their old age were forced to block the Murtala Mohamed Highway in protest for non payment of pensions. This is at a time that Governor Ayade received almost 19 billion windfall from the federal government.

    13. Governor Ayade’s exuberance to impress the APC leadership has led him down this path of impunity, illegality and flagrant abuse of the mandate of the people of Cross River state. But as Governor Ayade plunders the state ostensibly to please the APC, we notice the deafening silence from the state and national leadership of the APC. Silence means acquiescence; an endorsement of the shenanigans being perpetrated on behalf of the APC by Governor Ayade. The people of Cross River State now know how the APC intends to run the affairs of the state and are getting ready for the worst.

    14. We again appeal to the APC leadership to call Governor Ayade to order and remind him that Nigeria is a country governed by laws in spite of nation’s experience in the last 6 years. While we continue to appeal to our teeming party members to remain calm in the face of extreme provocation, this should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or cowardice. We are acutely aware of all the legal remedies available to us in the circumstances, and we intend to engage the appropriate processes to propagate the rights and interest of our party.

    15. The Cross River State police command provided cover for thugs sent by Governor Ayade to invade the PDP secretariat and forcefully occupy same. Currently the police have stationed an armoured personnel carrier (APC) at the gate of the PDP secretariat. In an official statement, the police command explained their actions; that the police were merely giving cover to the owners of the building to carry our renovation works on the building.

    16. Certainly, the Cross River state police command know that the building has been the secretariat of PDP for 22 years. The police have also received letters of protest from the PDP; the police now know that they were hired to give cover while the crimes of unlawful entry, criminal trespass, malicious damage to property, theft and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, were being committed at the PDP secretariat. It tells badly on police intelligence gathering if as at today police claim to still be ignorant of the fact that they have been misused to aid criminality. The continuous presence of the police till date at the PDP secretariat signifies active mischief, rather than honest mistake, on the part of the police.

    17. We therefore call on the police authorities to call their officers and men to order, and focus attention on the apolitical responsibilities of the police.

    18. We thank the people of Cross River state, and Nigerians in general, for overwhelmingly standing by the PDP, and for pledging continuous support to the party. We are particularly elated at the show of solidarity with the party and assure fellow Cross Riverians that the development agenda which the PDP pursued under Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke will be restored after the Ben Ayade era.

    LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
    LONG LIVE CROSS RIVER STATE

    Signed:
    Mr Effiok Cobham
    Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee
    Cross River State

  • Gov Ayade Approves Interactive Session With Stakeholders

    Gov Ayade Approves Interactive Session With Stakeholders

     

    The Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade has approved interactive meetings with stakeholders across all stratas of government.

    In a statement signed by his Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ntufam Dr Peter Ojie, the underlisted stakeholders have been scheduled to meet as follows:

    Tuesday, May 25, 2021
    Members of the CRS House of Assembly
    Venue: Gov’t House.
    Time: 10am

    Wednesday, May 26, 2021
    Special Advisers
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 1pm

    Wednesday, May 26, 2021
    Snr. Special Assistants/Special Assistant
    Venue Exco Chambers
    Time: 3pm

    Thursday, May 27, 2021
    Chairmen of LGAs/Councillors
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 1pm

    Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021
    DGs/Chairman of Boards/Members
    Venue: Exco Chambers
    Time: 3pm

    Date: Friday, May 28, 2021
    Party Executive(States & LGA)
    Venue: Peregrino Hall
    Time: 1pm

    Please treat as very important.

  • Obanliku In The Politics And Leadership Of Governor Ben Ayade BY DAVE IMBUA

    Obanliku In The Politics And Leadership Of Governor Ben Ayade BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    Perhaps, I should begin by stating the obvious, which is that until the emergence of Prof. Ben Ayade as the Executive Governor of Cross River State, many people in Obanliku did not really know what it means to be despised, alienated and neglected by a leader who has been entrusted with public funds to engineer human and capital development. The dividends of democracy delivered to the good people of Obanliku by astute leaders like Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke created the impression that a leader would always be committed to the wellbeing and welfare of the led.

    As governor, Donald Duke constructed the Sankwala Ring Road within his first 100days in office. In the course of his eventful tenure, he completed and commissioned other projects including the Obanliku General Hospital, the Bebi Airstrip, Utanga Safari Lodge. Duke also upgraded the Ranch Resort to international standard, making it the flagship of Nigeria’s tourism. He also electrified Bendi, Bisu, and Bebi among other communities. It is to his credit that he initiated and sustained the defunct annual Obudu Mountain Race which brought a great company of men and women from across ethnic, national, religious, linguistic and gender divides for the purpose of winning laurels and leisure. The Obudu International Mountain Race was endorsed by both the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) in 2005 shortly before Duke left office

    As a co-visionary with Duke, Governor Liyel Imoke consolidated and expanded Duke’s legacies in the tourism sector. Painstaking efforts were dedicatedly deployed to ensure that the dream that informed the huge investment in the Ranch Resort was not allowed to wither and die. The Imoke – led administration opened new vistas in a bid to sustain the influx of both local and international tourists to the Resort. Under the Imoke’s administration, the road to the resort was fortified and driving through the 22 breath-taking U bends became pleasurable. In the same committed manner, Senator Liyel Imoke opened up our rural communities with asphalted roads like the Basang East Road, Busi Road, and Utuhu-Kakwe-Lishiche-Shikpeche Road. This was in addition to the rehabilitation and upgrading of numerous health centres and schools in the LGA. Unless influenced by other considerations, it is hard for Obanliku people to talk of Duke and Imoke without enormous debt of gratitude to their commitment to the provision of basic amenities in the LGA.

    And, then, the era of Ben Ayade came! Expectedly, Obanliku people were ecstatic and excited that the swearing-in of a brother and kinsman as Governor of Cross River State was going to bring about massive improvement in their social, political and economic fortunes. Indeed, even those of us who had advised caution in the euphoria based on our knowledge of the complexities of man, had cause to be optimistic. Six years down the road, the Obanliku situation has deteriorated to a level that could not have been imagined. The euphoria and fanfare that greeted the emergence of the Ayade administration have given way to regret and frustration in Obanliku, leaving sycophants and booth lickers with the onerous responsibility of convincing the masses that we are not going through our worst experience under greedy, selfish and heartless misleaders who want to be richer than the state.

    The fact that Governor Ayade has consistently treated Obanliku as an after-thought and a dispensable neighbour is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. Under Ayade, our Ranch has become a mere footnote in the world tourism map. The Bebi Airstrip is an abandoned project. One can’t even recall the last time a plane landed or took off from it. The Mountain Race has become history. Even the Cottage Hospital in Kabun, Basang, that was singlehandedly built by our illustrious brother, Dr Emmanuel Akashie, and donated to the State Government, was abandoned immediately after commissioning more than five years ago. Even the staff of the hospital that were promised immediate employment when the government took possession of the hospital, are still languishing in Ayade’s University of Unemployment. Unless you don’t know what is injustice, you will surely wonder what the Obanliku people have done wrong to warrant the level of neglect and marginalisation that has been visited on Obanliku. Ayade era is a debacle for the Obanliku nation. Apart from dispossessing people of their land, there is absolutely no project that Ayade has executed and commissioned in the entire Obanliku LGA in the last six years.

    Unless something is fundamentally wrong with us, Obnliku people should not quarrel and abuse themselves with regard to the antics of their common oppressor, whether he chooses to stand with the PDP or the APC. I am convinced that his neglect of Obanliku has nothing to do with political parties. We should all stand together irrespective of political affiliation against anyone that takes delight in the underdevelopment of Obanliku.

    I should end this piece by reminding Obanliku elites and other people that are polluting the streets and bad roads in Obanliku with the suffocating stories of our oppressor whose actions are simply dictated by the fear of the EFCC of W.E.B. Du Bois’ immutable assertion that it is a tragedy for an enlightened individual to pursue personal gains while ignoring the plight of his/her oppressed kin. We should always remember that from the time of Esau till now, people who sold their birth rights for a pot of porridge have lived in regrets. As the very Distinguished Senator Professor Sandy Ojang Onor admonished yesterday, “Any man who does not understand that your destiny is bigger than mere food, that is, poisoned food that does not avail you the liberty to think and the capacity to invest and grow is clearly intended to make you a slave.” Enough of the noises about “Food on the Table” and the nauseating calls for the maintenance of Table Manners in a food basket like Obanliku.

    We must take our destiny into our hands by thinking Obanliku!

    Dave Imbua writes from the hills of Bendi.

     

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article is strictly that of Dave Imbua and does not represent the views of TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • Obudu State House Rep, Hon. Maria Akwaji Joins APC

    Obudu State House Rep, Hon. Maria Akwaji Joins APC

    By Admin

    The member representing Obudu State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Akwaji has announced her defection from the People’s Democratic Party PDP, to the All Progressive Congress APC.

    The law maker made this known following the announcement of the Governor of his defection from PDP to APC earlier today in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

    Speaking to TheLumineNews, Hon. Maria Akwaji averred that her loyalty is to the Governor, and pledged her commitment to effective service delivery to her constituents.

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

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

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • No Drinking Water In Ayade’s Village But He Wants To Plant ‘King Grasses’ For Cows, To Solve Farmers/Herders Crises In Nigeria BY AGBA JALINGO

    No Drinking Water In Ayade’s Village But He Wants To Plant ‘King Grasses’ For Cows, To Solve Farmers/Herders Crises In Nigeria BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    Governor Ayade is from Kakum village. Let me give you an abridged quote from his fellow Kakum man.

    “It is sad that despite having the number one citizen and ‘richest man in the land’ from my village, …. safe drinking water is still a luxury that nobody can afford at home.”

    “The pictures below are taken from my village – Kakum, South South Nigeria and am sure most communities around would relate. This morning, Kakum people drank from this well and will continue to do so choicelessly. As shocking as this may sound, this well is not only in the immediate community of the incumbent Executive Governor of CRS – Sir Benedict Ayade, it is on the spot (polling unit) where he regularly cast his vote……Kakum people will continue to dream of the day they won’t have to drink from this infested well and other ponds again or travel to neighbouring villages to get cleaner water for their families.”

    Justin Udie PhD, Nottingham UK, an indigene of Kakum.

    It is noteworthy that there is one other surface well in Kakum that is serving one section of the community and the one in this picture, which is about 20meters from the governor’s house. It was constructed by former President Babangida’s Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI) around 1989 and later became dilapidated until a good Samaritan came to build that wedge the boy is standing on to allow families use it again.

    There is a borehole in the governor’s compound but the mobile policemen who guard the governor’s house do not give villagers access to fetch water from there. They trek to neighboring villages to get water. Some get their water from Professor Zana Akpagu’s house in neighbouring Babuagbong village.

    That is the same person that wants to plant grasses that will feed cows and end the farmers/herders crises in Nigeria. He obviously doesn’t even understand the historical perspective, the depth and extent of the crises.

    But what can we say?

    We still have to endure this comedy and rain of brain waves for another 796 days.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

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

  • 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.