Month: October 2023

The State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has proposed a budget size of N250,000,000 000 (two hundred and fifty billion naira) for the 2024 fiscal year.

Capital expenditure is to gulp, N154, 000,000,000 (one hundred and fifty-four billion naira) while the sum of N96,000,000,000 (Ninety six billion naira) is proposed for recurrent expenditure.

The Governor made this proposal at the Chambers of the State House of Assembly on Thursday, during the presentation of the State Budget Estimates and Appropriation Bill 2024 called, “The People’s First Budget”.

He stated that in 2024 his Government intends to consolidate on the gains made by his predecessor while striving to deliver quality services to Cross Riverians.

Otu maintained that his Government has prioritized a higher capital expenditure over recurrent in the public expenditure structure adding that he deliberately proposed a higher capital recurrent expenditure of 61.6% to 38.4% on revenue.

The Governor revealed that for the 2024 fiscal year, the sum of one hundred and thirty-three Billion, three hundred million Naira (#133,300,000 000) is expected from the Federation Account (FAAC) while independence revenue is estimated at thirty-five billion, three hundred and twenty-two million, seven hundred and fourty seven thousand five hundred and Ninety-four Naira (#35,322,747,594).

According to the Governor, sectors to be prioritized in 2024 include Agriculture, Education, Environment, Infrastructure, Youth and Sports Development, Security, Tourism and General Administration.

He sued for the cooperation of the Legislature which he described as a veritable developmental ally of the executive arm of government.

“Mr. Speaker, taking cognizance of the onerous task ahead, may I at this juncture, sue for the cooperation of all Members of this hallowed Chambers in the area of expeditious passage of People’s Centred laws, ratification, and approvals sought by the Executive arm of Government and exercise of diligent oversight over budget implementation”.

“All hands must be on Deck. On that note, I stand before you and all the Honorable Members of Cross River State House of Assembly as well as fellow Citizens of the State present here as witnesses to present to us the 2024 budget Called “The People’s First Budget”.

Earlier, in his welcome address the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem observed that the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in section 120 (1) bestowed on the Governor the responsibility of presenting and laying before the Legislature, the Financial Estimate of the revenue and expenditure of the State for the incoming year.

The Speaker expressed confidence that the budget will enhance the economic fortunes of the State and improve the well-being of the Citizens.

He commended Governor Otu for his commitment towards eradicating criminality in the State which according to him is demonstrated through the concerted efforts made to stamp out cultism, hooliganism, and other forms of social vices to ensure peace in the State.

Ayambem, who congratulated Governor Otu on his victory at the governorship polls as well as at the recent Election Tribunal, added that the 2024 Appropriation bill was unique being, ” the maiden edition, presented by our maiden Governor to the maiden session of the 10th Legislature.

He however sued for the implementation of the Legislative Autonomy, take -off of the Cross River State House of Assembly Service Commission as well as the provision of vehicles for Legislators to enhance their oversight functions.

Hon. Chief (Dr.) Martin Orim, the immediate past Chief of Staff to the Government of Cross River State and the chairman of the GFO Orim Foundation has congratulated President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and Nigerians on the Supreme Court’s verdict.

In a statement released on his official media platform, Chief Orim stated that the ruling signifies the end of the unwarranted debates, disruptions, and legal conflicts that encircled the 2023 presidential election.

Hon. Orim also urged Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, and all opposition members to unite with our president in order to drive Nigeria’s development for the greater good of the entire country.

“I extend my congratulations to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and Nigerians on the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court’s ruling today has officially confirmed President Tinubu’s victory in the election, bringing an end to the unnecessary arguments, distractions, and legal battles that surrounded the 2023 presidential election.

I urge Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party, and all opposition members to join forces with our president to advance Nigeria’s progress for the benefit of the entire nation. Once again, congratulations, Your Excellencies.”

Earlier today, Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel, the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology for Cross River State met with Mr. Uche Nnaji, the Honourable Minister for Science and Technology, at the Minister’s Office in Abuja.

According to Dr. Beshel, the purpose of the meeting was to familiarize, and foster collaborations between Cross River State and the Federal Government in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovations.

The Minister, who did not hide his joy, commended the Hon. Commissioner’s move and noted with glee his proactive disposition to be the first Commissioner of Science and Technology to identify with him. The Minister called on Dr. Beshel to front a database for all Commissioners of Science and Technology in the country.

In the audience, was Barr. Tanko Ashang, SAN, the Director of Legal Services, at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Cross River State. Also, present was the Special Assistant to the Minister on Technical Services.

The Governor of Cross River State Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu has admonished the public to use the road responsibly and abide by established regulations.

The State Governor was duly represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who joined other members of the Military, Paramilitary Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, and Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) among other stakeholders to officially Kick off the 2023 Ember Months Campaign Organised by the Federal Road Safety Corp, Cross River Sector Command which held today 19th of October 2023 in Calabar.

The Speaker, while addressing the gathering, thanked His Excellency for finding him worthy to represent him, and extended the Governor’s Sincerest apologies for not being physically present, as he was preoccupied with other essential duties.

Ayambem, however, added that the Cross River State Government is fully supporting the campaign for safer roads, especially within the festive periods, adding that the State seeks to record zero casualties.

He further commended the Leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corp for the job well done and the particular theme “SPEED THRILLS BUT IT KILLS, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY AND AVOID OVERLOADING”.

He stress that it was the Mind of His Excellency to ensure that every family experiences the joy of having all of their loved ones return safely home and that all road users owed each other the collective responsibility to use the road rightly, avoiding overspeeding, and reckless driving.

He commended the Leadership of the Federal Road Safety Officers Wives Association who also pledged to advocate for safe driving to their fellow women and all as it was the collective responsibility of all to ensure that the message was effectively and properly understood, since families often have to bear the brunt from the losses that occasion irresponsible driving.

In a remark, the Zonal Commanding Officer RS6HQ ACM Jonathan Owaode thanked His Excellency for gracing the event and lending his support to this year’s campaign. Adding that his presence gave the command the necessary boast to not just advocate for safe and responsible road usage but also apprehend road offenders who might seek to violate the established rules.

He thanked the Speaker for availing himself and prayed for a peaceful and safe yuletide.

Matthew Okache,
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker.
19/10/2023

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, says it has commenced 24/7 production of passport booklets and issuance to applicants within a week after data capturing.

The acting Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration and Head of the Passport and Other Traveling Document Directorate, Sadat Hassan, made the disclosure in an interview with PRNigeria in Abuja.

Mrs Hassan spoke in the wake of the investigative story published by the Fact-Check medium over underhand practices by some immigration personnel who extort applicants and delay the issuance of their passports.

Recall that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also said that from December 2023, passports would be made available to applicants in two weeks.

Mrs Hassan said efforts are on to ensure that the instructions of the minister are met.
She said: “The Controller-General of Immigration, Caroline Wura-ola Adepoju, has not only directed the 24/7 production of booklets including Saturdays and Sundays, she also provides transportation and other incentives to to staff ensure that we meet the demands as well as the instruction of the Hon Minister of Interior.”

She revealed that so far, all outstanding backlog of passports has been cleared, adding that only Kwara and Edo have some backlogs due to technical glitches.

The DCGI also announced that with the deployment of technology, passport production has now been centralised through which the Service can assess data of applicants, complaints, and other irregularities that could be easily tackled.

“Before now, we have what is called the e-Passport, NIS is currently moving to the production of a new enhanced one which is engraved with laser technology. Through this, we have a centralised platform to work with since the National Identification Number, NIN, is a requirement for application,” she said.

According to her, the movement to the new platform is now 80 percent complete.

“Interestingly, this process has also been completed in some of our offices in the diaspora including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America,” she added.