The Lumine News

Tag: Ben Ayade

  • 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

     

    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

     

    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

     

    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.

  • Magistrates Resumes Protest In Calabar Over 26 Months Unpaid Salaries

    Culled From Punch

    Magistrates in Cross River State on Monday resumed their protest in Calabar over their 26 months unpaid salaries.

    The 29 magistrates gathered at the entrance of the Governor’s office carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Ayade stop oppressing Cross River Judiciary, pay us our salaries,’ ’29 esquires are in penury pay us our 26 months salaries,’ among others.

    The magistrates had taken to the streets and Governor’s office in January to protest when they were being owed 24 months.

    According to the leader of the group and a Chief Magistrate with the state judiciary, Solomon Abuo, they suspended the first protest in January to allow the government to pay them.

    Abuo said while they were waiting, the governor invited them to a meeting where a committee headed by the deputy governor, Prof Ivara Esu, was constituted and given one week to look into the issues and submit a report so they could be payed.

    “That meeting took place on January 19, so we waited till the end of January and nothing happened. So, we went to the deputy governor and he told us that they couldn’t conclude their work within one week.

    “He told us that it won’t be possible for us to receive January salaries, that we will start receiving our salaries from February because by then they will be done with their report.

    “Even when Mr Olumide Akpata president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) came down to Calabar and had a meeting with the state government and proffered suggestions on how the issue could be resolved, nothing was done.

    “Recently we learnt that the committee had completed its work and sent its recommendations to the governor and the governor has still refused to act on it.

    “We have given the governor enough time and made some concessions which are four possible options on how to add us to the payroll system and pay us but nothing is being done.

    “If the government was sincere, it would have taken one of the options but the report was sent before February salaries were paid, now we are in March making it 26 months,” he said.

    He said they had had three meetings with the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Akon Ikpeme, and she said she was doing something about the issue and needed more time.

    No official of the state government had addressed the magistrates at the time of this report and they said they would continue the peaceful protest until they got paid.

  • Wike Did Not Abuse Ayade Or Cross River, He Raised Salient Issues That Demand Answers – Agba Jalingo

    Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, Wike Stir Clear, From Where?

    Indeed, I will not allow my voice to be drowned by that sanctimonous claim that Wike in that his recent video reaction, is leading an assault on Cross River State and our governor. It is those who are urging other full grown adults not to express how they feel about Wike’s reaction to Governor Ayade’s earlier outburst that should actually be ashamed of themselves.

    When aides and Governor Ayade himself were throwing direct jabs and veiled diatribes at Wike on TV, were they actually expecting that the Rivers State governor will keep mute?

    You don’t call someone out for an open fight, the person accepts your challenge and calls you out also, then some self appointed defenders of Cross River state are on the prawl warning Wike to stir clear of Cross River as if our State is not part of Nigeria. Is there anything that legally preclude Wike from commenting on developments in Cross River? Did any law say that if you are a governor of another State, you cannot comment on the State of affairs in another?

    It is true that Wike is seeking to interfere in the politics of Cross River State but in the end, it is the people of Cross River that will determine their governor come 2023, not Wike. We have had governors in Cross River before Ayade and every succession was a tough battle for the incumbents with external interference, but in the end, it was always Cross Riverians that went to the polls to decide their leader. This time will also not be different. I think the Wike-phobia is exxaggerated.

    As for what Wike said, was he even wrong?

    He said, “I am not a 419 governor.” Implying that Ayade that he was referring to is a “419” governor. In Nigeria, 419 is obtaining something under false pretence.

    Has governor Ayade not been collecting lands up and down in the State under the false pretence of building this and that?

    Has he not made numerous promises and failed Cross Riverians?

    Has he not pretended to cry on TV and the things he cries about never change afterwards?

    Wike also said, he declosed Rivers state’s share of the money FG refunded to the State for the construction of federal roads in the State and wondered if Ayade did same. Is Wike lying? Has Ayade disclosed to Cross Riverians how much was refunded to Cross River State and what it has been used for or will be used for?

    Wike talked about Ayade selling our forest reserves as timber. Is that a lie? Our forest, the largest rain forest in West Africa, is ferociously depleted by criminal timber cartels who daily carry truck loads of illegal timber for sale with the active connivance of State government and security officials. The governor has appointed numerous SAs and PAs on Forestry, who have no other job specification than to depend on illegal logging for survival. Till today, we have no knowledge of what happened to the timber that was harvested from the portion of the Super Highway that was cleared before the project was abandoned.

    Wike also mentioned the scandalous budgets that our governor has signed in the past five years. No matter the professorial grammar you want to use, it was never going to be possible for a State that earns barely N50billion as allocation to meet an annual budget of over a trillion Naira. Those highfalutin figures were not only unrealistic, they were actually hallucinatory and the governor has abandoned that path himself. So what is the lie that Wike told?

    Those urging us to go up in arms against Wike for insulting our State, what exactly did he say that is a lie or are you just angry with the manner he said it?

    Since #TeamAyade had already dared Wike and vowed that they were ready for a fight, they should go right into the ring and respond to Wike, allegation for allegation and stop whining. Wike did not abuse or insult Ayade or Cross River, he raised salient issues that demand answers. That is what I want to hear. Not anyone telling me, an adult, how to react to what Wike said.

    In a State where most of the citizenry is cowed by fear and stomach infrastructure, where the political class have lost their voices to complicity in the rot, if Wike and Ayade’s unusual style of open peer review is the mechanism that will stir the nest in our State, so be it. Let the roforofo continue. Afterall, both are not radically different.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Operation Akpakwu: I Thumbs Up For Governor Ayade – Agba Jalingo

     

    In December 2020, when Governor Ayade launched Operation Akpakwu, a special joint security team to combat rampant kidnapping in the State, it was a tall order. To enhance their operations, Ayade handed over 100 patrol vehicles fitted with communication gadgets, 10 power bikes and drones, to the operation.

    “You must deal decisively with any form of criminality, banditry, cultism and kidnapping of any form. Let this therefore be a message to every resident in Cross River; today is the end of criminality,” he said on the occasion.

    For months to the time the Governor was reading this riot act, CrossRiverWatch was reporting an average of 9 to 12 incidents of kidnapping every week in Calabar/Akpabuyo alone. But since January 2021, the frequency of such incidents have reduced to 1 in a month. Also worthy of note is the fact that these kidnappings are now restricted to riverine areas like Jebbs and Esuk Atu at the University of Calabar axis; unlike when these dare devil criminals came frequently into the heart of Calabar Municipality, in broad day light and pick their victims randomly, and escape with ease.

    The joint security operations have relatively cleared notorious criminal rendezvous in 8 miles, Uwanse, Asabanka in Akpabuyo, Essien Town and Bogobri. The remnants are also running out of town due to the heat from Operation Akpakwu.

    But there are still names that security sources say remain a real danger and must be caught before they can relax the security alert level in Calabar. The four names according to sources who spoke to Yours Sincerely include, Romance, Emmanuel AFANG, Bombo and Virus. The Police say they are currently on the trail of the four.

    Romance, according to a security source, is the leader of the gang that stormed a police post near Tinapa in February, killed four policemen on duty and escaped. Some suspects were later arrested while others are still fleeing.

    Information available also reveal that a Police Orderly to a serving Judge in the State was withdrawn and detained in the course of the investigation after he was fingered in the incident.

    I commend Governor Ayade hugely for this particular initiative. I think this was well thought out and the results are self evident. Kudos also to the field commanders and the public that has been cooperating with the security forces.

    There are however grey areas in the activities of Operation Akpakwu, which the Governor and various field commanders of the component forces on ground will have to address very quickly. Victims of the arbitrariness of some operatives of Operation Akpakwu are swelling by the day and that trend must be checked with alacrity.

    Almost every other day, there are verifiable accounts of brutality, highhandedness and illegalities perpetrated by men of Operation Akpakwu. Still fresh in our memory is the molestation of a 17 year old daughter of an aide to the Wife of the Governor of the State, at Bogobiri market, where the terrified teenager was harassed by a soldier attached to Operation Akpakwu and forced to sit on the ground, for not greeting them when she walked past. And only two days ago, soldiers attached to Operation Akpakwu, brutalized a Chief Magistrate and his doctor at about 11pm by UCTH Road Calabar. The duo were hospitalized.

    Public opinion also seem to agree with ending the curfew imposed in Calabar at the peak of the security challenges. Even if it is not ended, it should be extended from 10pm to midnight or further into the night. This will reduce the chances for security forces finding alibis to trample on citizens rights.

    There are also concerns that Operation Akpakwu operatives, are getting involved in civil disputes.

    These boundaries must be clearly defined and enforced strictly. But on the whole, Governor Ayade has done well with Operation Akpakwu. The security situation in Calabar has improved greatly. Kudos to him again.

    God bless Cross River state.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here ate strictly that of Agba Jalingo and does represent The Lumine News or the organization the author works for.

  • AyadeCare: CRSHIA Activates More Enrollment Centres

     

    By Kingsley Agim

    As enrollment into the State Health Insurance Scheme begins, the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency (CRSHIA) has activated more Enrollment Centres for ease of access to the exercise.

    A release by the Agency’s Director-General, Chief Godwin Iyala revealed that the State Ministry of Health Headquarters, General Hospital, Calabar, New Secretariat Complex – Calabar, Primary Health Centre – Mayne Avenue, Primary Health Centre – Ediba, Primary Health Centre – Akim, Primary Health Centre – Big Qua, Primary Health Centre – Diamond, Primary Health Centre – Edim Otop, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ansa, Primary Health Centre – Kasuk, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Effanga, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Omin, Primary Health Centre – Ikot Ishie, and Bogobiri as the new Enrollment Centres.

    Chief Iyala further enjoined residents of the State to go out en masse to enrol in readiness to access health care services.

    The DG pledged the commitment of his Agency, in collaboration with the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other critical stakeholders will leave no stone unturned in actualizing Governor Ben Ayade’s avowed commitment to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents of the State, adding that with the emergence of AYADECARE, the much anticipated Universal Health Coverage has finally birthed in the State.

  • Ayade Chief Press Secretary Bars Media Aides From Speaking For The Governor

    By Elijah Ugani

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita has barred all Media Aides working in the Press to desist from speaking for the Governor.

    In a release sighted by The Lumine News, and signed by Mr. Christain Ita, he warned that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    The release reads in full “I have observed with utter disappointment that some persons in the Media Unit have regrettably arrogated to themselves the role of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and have persistently been posturing as speaking for the governor.

    “The latest of such incident occurred yesterday when one of the appointees in the unit reportedly spoke on a delicate issue he had no authorization is a case in point.

    “While I am still battling to clear the mess occasioned by the brazen zealotry of the purported spokesperson, may I warn that on no account should an appointee in the Media unit posture, parade or pass himself/herself off as speaking for His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade.

    “As a reminder, the responsibility of speaking for His Excellency the Governor, remains the exclusive preserve of the Special Adviser on Media/Chief Press Secretary.

    “Moving forward, any further circumvention of this warning shall be greeted with the severity of penalty it deserves, including a redeployment from the unit.

    “For a coordinated flow of information and a strategic response to issues that border on the Governor’s image, ONLY the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity holds the gavel, unless as he so delegates.

    “Signed.

    “Christian Ita

    “Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Governor”

  • Ayade At 53: Hon. Bonny Ewhe Felicitates With Gov. Ayade, Hails His Leadership Impact.

    By Richard Abu

    The Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe felicitates with His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State on the occasion of his 53rd birthday anniversary and hailed his leadership impact on the people especially the good people of Obudu LGA.

    The Chairman made this known to newsmen in his office today, March 2nd 2021.

    Mr. Ewhe said at 53, his excellency has achieved so much that generations unborn will remember him for good. He hailed his industrialization drive especially his blueprint to make Obudu LGA a tourism and Educational hub of the state.

    “Looking at what we have on ground here in Obudu you would agree with me that in the nearest future tourist will troop in here through the Cargo and passenger airport either for leisure in the Ranch Resort or for healthcare at the referral hospital”

    “The British-Canadian University is another big achievement of his excellency that will boost the economic fortunes of the State and our LGA as it promises to offer high ranking courses in the health, agricultural and engineering sectors including robotics starting from September 2021” Said the Chairman.

    He  seized the opportunity to call on Cross Riverians from all walks of life, home and abroad to support and key into his excellency’s agenda of making Cross River State the industrial and economic hub of the country.