Month: December 2023

By Denis Inakefe (ANIPR)

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has declared that “no one is greater than Budget Defence,” stating that Cross River State Heads of Ministries, Department, and Agencies ought to defend their budget in the House of Assembly.

Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem stated that no one is expected to exempt from budget defense, adding that those who disobey the law will face consequences.

Speaker Ayambem made this known on Tuesday at the sidelines of Budget Defence by Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at the Cross River State House of Assembly Complex, Calabar.

Honourable Ayambem emphatically noted that all Ministries and Agencies that generate income must make themselves available for defense and provide justification for the Cross River State Government to fund them and those who fail to make themselves available for the budget defense will be awarded zero budget.

Ayambem also emphasized the significance of budget defense, emphasizing that the process is required by the constitution and serves as a safeguard for accountability to the good people of Cross River State, not as a favour to the government or the House of Assembly.

The Speaker commended the budget committee for their careful examination and gave them his word that he would support and mentor them to make sure the process goes well.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has approved the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) as Christmas bonus for the State’s civil servants on the State payroll

According to Warisenibo Joe Johnson, Commissioner for information and Communications, Gov. Fubara gave the approval on Tuesday for immediate implementation to enable the civil servants to have a wonderful yuletide celebration.

The University of Cross River State (Unicross) Alumni Association has donated fifty bags of rice (10kg) to ex-students working in the University.

Speaking during the presentation at the main campus of the University in Calabar, the National President of the association, Dr. Inyali Peter said that the National Executive Council approved the donation to cushion the effect of the harsh economic condition in the country.

Inyali who said the leadership of the association is reaching out to Cross Riverians of note to reach out to staff of the institution during the yuletide period, appealed to Governor Bassey Otu to consider an upward review of the government’s monthly subvention to the University.

According to him, “During our campaigns, we said that even though the association is not a union, as we’ll give in our all to work to give back to our alma mater, we’ll not forget our members who are genuinely in need. This, to us, is also the essence of an alumni association.

We are aware that you are owed some salaries, not because the management is unwilling to pay but because the finances are not just there. The subvention from the government can no longer carry the University because the institution is growing with new programs and the staff strength is expanding.

Even if salaries are paid, the hard economic condition would make it difficult for you to cater to the enormity of challenges facing you with your meager salaries. So, we decided to reach out with this little token. We intended to reach out to everybody but we’re constrained financially”.

While commending the Governor for the rehabilitation of both the internal and external roads within the institution, the President however appealed that “Governor Otu has been very generous to the University even before now. During the campaigns, we reminded Cross Riverians and our members how much he did for us by facilitating the beautiful edifice we’re using now as an administrative block.

His Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey was responsible for why UNICROSS is now a conventional University and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh is our father and a former Vice-Chancellor. So, we believe that he’s already aware of the suffering of our staff and how management is struggling to pay salaries. Therefore, as an association, we want to appeal to him to urgently consider the upward review of the monthly subvention to the University “.

Speaking on behalf of ex-students working in the University, Dr. Godswill John, Convener, ‘BLazers for Unicross’ commended the NEC for their magnanimity and assured that the rice will be sure fairly.

He said “This is the first time we’re experiencing this. You know we’re the front liners as staff of the institution. This President is just about six days in office and we’re seeing action. This shows that more is yet to come. We thank him and his team and assure them we receive this wholeheartedly”.

The Cross River State House of Assembly, chaired by Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has confirmed the appointment of the Chairman Mr. Chris Etim Nyong, Deputy Chairman Sir Arako Charley, and other Members of the Cross River State Audit Commission in response to the screening report provided by the House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolutions.

Recall that Governor Bassey Edet Otu had asked for the confirmation of the Audit Commission members in a letter dated October 18, 2023, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh.

Hon. Stanley Nsemo, Member of the Calabar Municipal State Constituency, moved a motion during Tuesday’s Legislative Session to support the recommendations of the Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolutions as a House resolution. Rt. Hon. Davis Etta, Member of the Abi State Constituency, seconded the motion.

The Speaker, Honourable Elvert Ayambem, tasked the Members with upholding their duties with diligence and commitment. Taking advantage of the occasion, he chastised political office holders to write a positive history every day and to treat people with compassion.

The members of the House of Assembly praised Governor Bassey Otu for carefully choosing qualified individuals with a distinguished background for the commission.

Other members of the Audit Commission include Mr. Bassey Eko (Secretary), Mr. Batholomew Amake (Member), Mr. Bassey Ekanem (Member), Barr. Ikona Okoi (Member), Mr. Emmanuel Effiom (Member), Mr. Emmanuel Iyango (Member), Auditor General for State (Ex-Officio Member), Auditor General for Local Goverbment (Ex-Officio Member).

In addition, the House adjourned until January 9, 2024.

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared that his administration is not fighting anybody but is preoccupied with taking care of the needs of the people and protecting the interest of the State.

Sir Fubara made the declaration while flagging off the twenty thousand (20,000) housing units for low-income earners in the State, along the Obiri -Ikwerre- International Airport road on Friday.

Governor Fubara said, that in protecting the interest of the State, his administration will continue to do what is right before God and men while encouraging a robust participation of the people in governance.

“For our people, I want to assure you, our government has nothing to do with fighting anybody. Our governance is to take care of and defend our people. I can assure you here, that this is the beginning of our service to the people of Rivers State.

“It is not service to the elites, but to the poor and low-income earners. Those are the people we want to stand with and we are standing with them from today.”

Governor Fubara noted that his administration has started a new history with the 20,000 units of housing by giving new hope to Rivers people particularly the poor.

He assured that in a few months, the first phase of the project will be completed and the housing units allocated to the low-income earners through a transparent process.

“I want to also say it here, let it also be my commitment that this facility, once it commences and gets to the stage of allotment, will go to the rightful people and not one big man to allocate to his family. It will be transparent so that the targeted people will access and benefit from it.”

Governor Fubara remarked that his administration has started reaping from its open door policy because opportunities like economic empowerment, access to housing and other benefits are now in the offing for the people.

“First of all, we need to give our people hope and today, I believe that everybody in our dear State has seen that light. How did we come about this magic? We opened our doors for negotiation and opportunities, knowing that the government cannot do it alone. We had to invite people that are ready to invest in our State.

“I make bold to say it, Rivers State is a safe haven for investment. What we are doing today is to let the world know it, and not what you hear in the media. I tell you that Rivers State is safe and secure for anybody anywhere to come and invest. Your investment is safe in our hands.”

In his remark, the Acting Administrator of New City Development Authority, Mr Aaron Obelley said the 20,000 units of housing will sit on 1000 hectares of land.

The first phase, now started, on 100 hectares of land, Mr. Obelley stated will provide affordable houses in a striving and inclusive community for the people to live in.

On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa Global explained that the project is the largest housing initiative on a public-private partnership in Africa and the Rivers State government will not incur any financial cost in accomplishing the project.

He assured that his company will be diligent in speeding up work to deliver it in good time, while also creating economic opportunities for the people.