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Tag: #Inyang Asibong

  • CRSG Trains Implementation Team For The N-CARES Project

    CRSG Trains Implementation Team For The N-CARES Project

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • NEWMAP Dissuades Cross River Communities From Indiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse Into Drains

    NEWMAP Dissuades Cross River Communities From Indiscriminate Dumping Of Refuse Into Drains

     

    By Nsa Gill – Calabar

    The management of the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project NEWMAP, Cross River State has charged benefiting communities of the World Bank assisted projects to take ownership and guide the projects jealously.

    The charge was given in a workshop on Wednesday, February 10th 2021 in Calabar organised by NEWMAP to sensitize communities on waste management and Erosion prevention.

    The Commissioner for International Development Corporation and the Acting Project Coordinator of NEWMAP in the State, Dr. Inyang Asibong decried the nonchalant attitudes of benefiting communities towards the multi-million naira projects to be eroded by irresponsible human activities.

    She averred that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains is causing erosion even in areas where erosion control had earlier been achieved.

    Dr. Asibong charged communities to activate local waste management task force to checkmate and stop residents who often dump waste in the gutters.

    She assured that government will provide more refuse bin, but most importantly, local residents must understand the dangers and implications of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    Speaking during the workshop, on Effective Waste Management and Erosion Prevention, Dr. Escor Udosen, urged the communities to take responsibility for the various projects of government in their vicinity.

    One of the benefiting communities of NEWMAP projects, Ikot Ekpo community commended the various interventions of NEWMAP which has gone beyond erosion and waste management to provision of water as well as street lights in some instances.

    They pledged to do their best from the impact of the workshop and requested for the expansion of NEWMAP intervention in their area.

  • CRNEWMAP Donates Compact Truck To Waste Management Agency

    CRNEWMAP Donates Compact Truck To Waste Management Agency

    By Admin

    Cross River State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has donated a brand new compact truck and other working equipments to the State Waste Management Agency.

    The effort is in keeping with the commitment of the State Government led by *Gov Ben Ayade* to strengthen the Agency’s capacity and operation of the Waste Management Agency (CRSWMA)

    Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, *Inyang Asibong* explained the vision of the State’s environmental cleanliness policy to sustain Calabar in particular, and Cross River State as Clean and Green Corridor in Nigeria.

    Asibong said the partnership with NEWMAP to deliver the compact truck was to boost the daily operations of the Cross River Waste management Agency routine works.

    Also speaking, the SSA on NEWMAP, *Mr Francis Agaba* explained that the truck has been tested with satisfactory performance on collection and disposal of waste products and optimally ready for use .

    Receiving the truck on behalf of the CR waste management Agency, the Director General, Mr Sunday Oko thanked the State Government through the Ministry of International Development Cooperation and NEWMAP for boosting the Agency with another truck which will significantly improve public solid waste disposal across the state.

  • C’River Gov’t Inaugurates COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus Steering Committee

    C’River Gov’t Inaugurates COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus Steering Committee

    BY admin

    The Cross River Government has inaugurated the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) committee to steer the activities of the programme in the state for the next two years.

    Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Esu, who inaugurated the team on Wednesday in Calabar, said that the project was timely and coming at a time where the Nation’s economic needed to be stimulated with various programmes.

    CARES is a World Bank Assisted programme which is supported by the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria, designed to stimulate the economy.

    According to him, with the coming in of the programme which is scheduled to start by April, the state will consolidate on the gains and reduce her poverty rate of 36.3 to at least, a single digit.

    He cited the destruction of properties in government offices and private homes in Calabar during the #EndSars protest on Oct. 24, 2020 as one of the factors that has further created poverty in the state.

    “I want to specially commend members of this committee and especially the Chairman of the committee, Dr Inyang Asibong, who is the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation for her drive in making this programme a reality in the state,” he said.

    Earlier in her opening speech, Dr Asibong mentioned the benefiting areas to include CSDA, FADAMA, Enterprise Development Funding, Livelihood, Public Work Fare and the State Cash Transfer Unit.

    She explained that the focus of the programme was to help in the recovery of the economy by way of collective involvement of all relevant stakeholders who have been identified to play certain roles.

    “In the area of public work fare, we are going to get youths, both skilled and unskilled, to be meaningful engaged so that they can earn a living.

    “For the Cash Transfer Unit, pregnant women, the vulnerable and physically challenged persons will also benefit from this platform.

    “Also, the FADAMA project will cater for the provision of input to farmers among many other beneficiaries,” she said.

    She commended Gov. Ben Ayade for placing premium on intervention programmes in the state, adding that the state was ready for the implementation of the programme

    Mr Toni Ikpeme, Board Chairman of Community and Social Development Agency, who spoke on behalf of members of the committee, assured that they were going to give in their best in order to achieve the mandate of programme.

    Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs Rosemary Archibong and Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Okon Owuna,

    Other members are; Commissioner for Youths and Skill Development, Mr Signor Omang-Idiege, Mrs Marjorie Asuquo, Special Adviser to Gov. Ayade on Enterprise Development Funding, Mr Gabriel Adah, Director General of Cross River Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency and Mrs Monique Ogon, Special Adviser to Gov. Ayade on Enterprise.

    Also in the committee are, Mr Victor Edet, Special Adviser to Gov. Ayade on International Development, Mrs Kate Ajibike, Special Adviser, Community Development Enterprise and Mr Felix Ita, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of International Development Cooperation.

  • UN, CRSG Trains Cross River Key Sector Players On Budget Monitoring And Evaluation

    UN, CRSG Trains Cross River Key Sector Players On Budget Monitoring And Evaluation

     

    The United Nations has urged key players involved in budget planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in Cross River State to get themselves acquainted with the global best practices in an effort to meet the Sustainable Development Goals Target by 2030.

    This was disclosed during a three day training for key sector players in Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) as well as Monitoring and Evacuation (M&E) staff across line Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    The programme was facilitated by the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of International Development Cooperation in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

    Speaking at the opening session, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC), Dr. Inyang Asibong said “the three- day meeting is to bring stakeholders involved in budgeting and the implementation of the SDGs to boost the capacity of the personnel, resources and institutional frameworks thereby strengthening and coordinating your efforts to achieve the set target”

    Asibong was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, MIDC, Mr Felix Ekpeyong Ita and the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Barr Mark Obi, stated that the implementation and tracking of the Transformation agenda 2030 in the state is realisable.

    According to the Commissioner, the training of the line MDA staff in the state was timely due to their role in the development planning architecture across sectors including the Local Government Areas in Cross River State.

    Presenting the key note address,the representative of the UNDP, and the Senior Special Assistance to the President, President Muhammad Buhari, Dr Bala Yunusa, said that the office will focus on strategic direction and impetus to the National commitment to the SDGs.

    He emphasized that expertise and resources of all, both public and private sector, Scientific community and Donor community as well as the wider civil society are needed.

    The training session was conducted by consultants from the UNDP, office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria, Director of Administration, MIDC, Mrs Mbong Ausaji, CRS Statistician-General, Dr Josephat Ogar amongst other technical staff from the MIDC and State Planning Commission.

  • UNDP Installs Gov. Ayade As Goodwill Ambassador, Lauds MIDC And Stakeholders On SDGs integration

    UNDP Installs Gov. Ayade As Goodwill Ambassador, Lauds MIDC And Stakeholders On SDGs integration

     

    The United Nations Development Programs and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari has installed the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, Goodwill Ambassador for creating the Ministry of International Development Cooperation which is at the front line in increasing donor presence in the state, to enhance the capacity of MDAs and Local Governments to initiate and implement relevant developmental projects and for bringing stakeholders to build productive partnership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The UNDP representative, Mr Femi Ogunlege while installing the Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Tina B. Agbor lauded the efforts of Cross River State for building productive partnerships with the UN under the “Delivering as One” modality and formulation of a draft Donor Coordination Policy which many states lack and beginning to learn from the Cross River initiative.

    Also speaking during the installation, the Representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mrs Rose Keffas lauded the efforts of the state Statistician Dr. Josephat Ogar. She stated that Dr. Josephat Ogar has done well in ensuring MDAs in the state have verifiable data unlike other states without data to work with. She said “data is a key resource to monitor the implementation of the SDGs, it helps to facilitate standards, accountability and implement an evidence based practice.”

    At the wrap up of the Advocacy and sensitization of policy and Legislation on the implementation by SDGs at Obudu Cattle Ranch, the Hon. Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong urged Line MDAs to integrate the SDGs into state budget to drive in partners who will set an ambitious path to achieve SDGs 2030.

    Goodwill messages from the Ministry of Water Resources, Health, Environment, Establishment, Information, CRSPHCDA, CRGIA, Accountant General, Budget office among other MDAs reassured the UNDP of their commitment to strengthen their working relationship with MIDC in the mainstream and incorporating of SDGs into the medium and long term development plans of the state.

  • C/River Gov’t Optimistic On Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Says Dr. Asibong

    C/River Gov’t Optimistic On Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Says Dr. Asibong

    By George Odok Jnr

    The Cross River Government has expressed its readiness in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 in the state.

    Dr Inyang Asibong, Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, gave the assurance during a sensitisation workshop organised by her ministry for Policy Heads and Legislators on the implementation of the SDGs.

    The workshop, which was held at the Obudu Ranch Resort, was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs.

    Asibong said that her ministry was the coordinating ministry for the achievement and implementation of the SDGs which is divided into environmental, economic and social.

    According to her, the year 2020 was marked for Sustainable Development Goals, hence the state needed to achieve the goals.

    “As a state, we need to achieve this goals. SDGs are everything we can think of and in Cross Ricer, we are already on the move, coordinating and working with other implementing Ministries, Departments and Afencies.

    “We have a wide range of MDAs here with us and our focus is to brainstorm and see how we can achieve this goals.

    “After this, we are going to set up a steering committee on SDGs. The committee will be known at the state, national and international level with a view to propel the state towards attainment of SDGs,” she said.

    Speaking, Dr Bala Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, said that they were in Cross River to support the state in their effort to mainstream and integrate the relevant SGDs into their medium and long term development plans.

    Yunusa said that following the expiration of the development goals in 2015, world leaders met, including Nigeria, to adopt the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

    He explained that the agenda envision the present and future that is economically sustainable, socially inclusive and environmentally resilient.

    He said that the 2030 agenda is expressed through the premium of 17 Sstainable Development Goals, 169 targets and 230 key performance indicators.

    “These are universal goals adopted by world leaders by way of holding themselves accountable for their commitment towards international development.

    “We are in Cross River to also see the mechanism put in place to help strengthen the state to be able to do medium and long term development plan that is SDG based.

    “That means a plan and aspiration based on the development priorities of Cross River, but embedded within the SDG framework so that all the resources of the state will then be channelled towards the implementation of the relevant SDG that the state will choose to intergrate,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Ben Ayade of the state, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Tina Agbor, said that the decision of the state to create a ministry for International Development cooperation in 2019 was well conceived.

    He explained that his administration has given utmost priority to industrialisation and agricultural revolution in the state.

    Mr Edward Ajang, a member of the Cross River House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on International Development and SGDs, said that the state had witnessed massive development through the SDGs.

    Ajang said that under the SDGs, Cross River has witnessed improvement in primary healthcare, access to basic education, reduction in infant and maternal mortality, improved sanitation among others.

  • Inyang Asibong Tells UN, EU And Human Right Commission How Linda Ayade Is Curtailing Money Marriage In Cross River State

    By Admin

    The efforts of the wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade to fight the practice of Money Marriage in Becheve community of Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, took the centre Stage at the two days workshop organised by the National Human Right Commission in Collaboration with the United Nations and European Union.

    The workshop which held at Lagos Hall, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, had the Commissioner For International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong gave the expository of the Cross River Challenge.

    Dr. Linda Ayade had through her pet project Mediatrix Develoment Foundation intervened and engaged the communities involved in the act, through the traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Media as well as Civil Society organizations.

    The Governor’s wife efforts according to Asibong had increased advocacy to policy makers and community leaders, expanded efforts to educate, sensitize and provide a platform for the people of Becheve and Utanga communities to discuss issues related to gender-based violence.

    Asibong explained how Cross River State Government had also set up a high-powered Committee through the effort of the wife of the Governor in a bid to end the inhumane cultural practice of money-Girl-marriage which she described as a form of Gender-based Violence.

    She explained the Cross River Challenge and the effort of the State Government with hope that the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and other International Donors will partner the state Government and possibly be on ground in Becheve to see things for themselves.

    According to Asibong, the plight of the girl-child should be a collective concern with a drive to end human right abuses in the Country.

    “These young girls are married out to pay debts owed by their parents. This marriage could take place at age five, three, and sometimes even before their conception, where hey are already sold to pay debts. This can go on for decades, so it’s a form of child slavery.

    “It has been an age long cultural practices which have been transferred from generation to generation. But what I came here to tell you is that Cross River State Government has taken it as a challenge and we are solving the problem using the political will of the Governor and special support of his wife, Dr Linda Ayade.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, it is better to be there than said because it is real and on behalf of His Excellency, I wish to call for immediate support and partnership between Cross River State Government and the United Nations, the European Union and other Development Partners to end the practice of Money Marriage in the State” she added.

  • Post Covid-19: Cross River Partners UNFPA On 2021 Development Strategy

    Post Covid-19: Cross River Partners UNFPA On 2021 Development Strategy

     

    Cross River State Government has unveiled strategic plan 8! Partnership with the United Nations Fund and Population Agency (UNFPA) to achieve Global Program for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The Strategic Partnership was sealed during a two-day 2020 end of the Year review and 2021 annual work plan event held in Calabar.

    Declaring the meeting open, the State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Inyang Asibong, called on all partners to assess the extent of UNFPA’s program implementation and results achieved in relations to the planned intervention in 2020 associated with COVID-19 pandemic.

    Asibong said the partnership will also unveil a 2021 strategy which would serve as post-COVID-19 recovery plan across board.

    She added that “The strategic plan should be in tandem with the State Government’s priority and the UNFPA key agenda on 2030 principles to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, focusing on women, adolescents and youth,advising that the strategic plan should ensure everyone is carried along with premium concentration on reaching vulnerable people in the hinterlands as a key priority”.

    In his opening remarks, the Head of Office, UNFPA, Dr Polycarpe Takou, called on all partners to use the experience they have gotten over the year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to agree on high impact activities to be implemented in 2021.

    He also assured the state partners of continuous support to ensure no one is left behind, and that; “The strategic plan should focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services, Gender Based Violence (GBV), prevention and response, risk communication and community engagement, and provision of life-saving supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).