Month: April 2024

The Cross River State House of Assembly has resolved to investigate the privatisation of Transcorp Hotel in Calabar, as well as other state-owned factories such as the Calachika Farm, the Ogoja Rice Mill, the Cocoa Processing Factory, and others that received concessions during the immediate past administration.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, the Member representing Abi State constituency and Deputy Majority Leader of the House during plenary in Calabar.

Rt. Hon Davies Etta, in his motion which received overwhelming support from other members, said that there was a need to scrutinise the circumstances surrounding the privatisation or concession of the Transcorp Hotel and other State-owned properties across the state.

Etta said that there was a need to investigate the entire process, including the criteria used for the selection of private entities. The legislator added that this was due to the vital role the companies play in creating employment opportunities for Cross Riverians. Additionally, he stated that to maintain accountability in public administration and uphold the principles of fairness and equity, transparency in the bidding process must be proven.

During the plenary, Hon. Martins Achadu, the representative of Yala 2, and Hon. Neji Abang, the Ikom 1 State Constituency representative, also emphasised the importance of conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the Transcorp Hotel privatisation, in which the Cross River State Government owned a 35 per cent stake, as well as the identity of the government agent who received the payment for the government.

Furthermore, Hon. Okon Owuna of Akamkpa 2 State Constituency Hon. Okon Owuna, stressed the need to review all government properties subjected to the concession agreement. He advocated for increased participation of Cross Riverians in concession processes for greater benefits.

Adopting the motion, the Cross River State Assembly underscored the collective responsibility of safeguarding the interests of the state and resolved that any government property whose true status remains undisclosed will be reclaimed in the best interest of Cross Riverians.

The Assembly further resolved to uncover additional information regarding the ownership status of several government-owned businesses in the State and secure the ownership of Transcorp Hotel, Calachika Farm, Cocoa Processing Company, Groundnut Oil Factory, Ogoja Rice Mill, and others for the benefit of the people of Cross River State.

Recall that on 3rd April 2024, news broke out that the popular Transcorp hotel’s name had been changed following its privatisation. However, subsequent events at the facility point to fraud in the concession of the property and many others throughout the state. As a result, the State Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem is poised to look into every state-owned property that was not properly granted a concession during the previous administration, with the view of creating more job opportunities for Cross Riverians and increasing the state revenue generation.

©Denis Inakefe, ANIPR.

The governor of Cross River state, Senator Bassey Otu, has urged opinion and traditional leaders in the Yala local government area to promote better neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and stronger communal ties. This is part of his administration’s efforts to explore the region’s enormous agricultural potential and restore it to its former status as the state’s or even Nigeria’s food basket.

The call was made by the governor recently when he met with a delegation of Yala traditional leaders in Calabar, led by Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, the Paramount Ruler of the Yala local government area.

Speaking of his administration’s commitment to return the renowned Okuku market in Yala local government area to a thriving local commodity hub of international standard, Governor Otu assured the delegation that “we will open up roads for ease of transportation of goods from the interior communities to the urban areas and markets.”

“We want the cooperation of our traditional authorities to nib the avoidable records of communal clashes and other disputes in the bud,” the Governor sued.
He noted that the state was carrying out proper reforms to make sure that agriculture was well positioned as the mainstay of Cross River State’s economy.
He maintained that security and other structures that would entrench sanity in the area are being put in place.

The Governor promised to carefully look at requests made by the delegation with the view of uplifting the living standard of the Yala people and expressed optimism that shortly when the envisioned Okuku commodity market becomes a reality, the state government would make areas like Okpoma and Okuku urban towns as the agricultural potentials of the area have all the trappings to make Yala an urban and commercial nerve centre in the northern part of the state.

In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler, Ogamode Clement Onah Ipuole, said the Yala-speaking people in the Yala local government area were in the governor’s office to identify with him and show solidarity in his leadership.
Ogamode Ipuole, who was represented by Ogamode Odaji Ipuole, stated “We have come here to assure him that we will continue to work with him, stand by him at all times and support him all through his tenure as the governor of Cross River state.”

The Royal Father drew the attention of the governor to teething challenges bothering the area, some of which he mentioned including access roads linking the various communities, lack of portable drinking water, and upgrade of the Okuku local food commodity market to international standard.

He also appealed for the creation of an irrigation dam in Yala to boost food production; exploration of the huge salt deposits in the area and establishment of a salt industry; expansion of the Okuku campus of the University of Cross River State to a full-fledged university, among others.

The monarch, who described the governor as “a beacon of hope, unity and peace,” concluded his speech with a passionate plea for proper delineation of boundaries between communities, which he said, when done, would provide a lasting solution to crises plaguing the area and avert further destruction of lives and property.

Also speaking, a major stakeholder in Yala and towering politician in the state, Chief Higgins Peters, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting and the governor’s assurances to address issues they presented before him.

“Governor Otu’s response was exactly what the people of Yala have been waiting for and itching to hear. We are very happy that we met the governor today,” he concluded.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has fervently urged his constituents in his hometown of Nde to support the Prince Otu-led administration in every way possible. He made this known on Sunday, April 14, 2024, during a sensitization tour in his constituency, Nde, Ikom 2.

According to Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the tour was necessitated by the overwhelming admiration of the people of Ikom 2 State Constituency for the Governor’s commendable democratic dividends. Throughout the tour, the Speaker emphasised how political party-conscious behaviours frequently impede advancement and development in any community, particularly following elections.

Speaker Ayambem bemoaned the fact that the struggle for political dominance has replaced cooperative efforts to support the government in providing the people with high-quality services.

The Speaker reaffirmed that party differences have been a major impediment to any administration’s success. In the Tenth Assembly, which he leads as Speaker, he gave an example of a positive relationship he had with its diverse membership.

The Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Brian Odey, was identified by Ayambem during the meeting as the Labour Party’s candidate to represent Yala 1 State Constituency.

The Constituents applauded his move to unite the people of Nde against political parties’ divergent interests, to support Governor Otu’s administration.

The Deputy Minority Leader of CRSHA, Hon. Brian Odey; Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Mr. Anakan Victor; Former DG of the Mature Justice Movement Campaign Organisation, Hon. Asinya Ntan; Director of the Ikom Urban Development Authority, Mr. Esoso Anah; Community Relations Officer, Mr Sagas Mbeh; and Hon. Mrs Enegbe Ndoma, former Nde ward councillor, were among the distinguished attendees at the well-attended meeting.

The Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Yala LGA , Mrs Cecilia Ogah has intervened in the protracted communal land crisis between the people of Igbo Wanibolor community of Wanihem in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and the Igede people of Ikwata in Oju LGA of Benue State.

This is following a clash which occurred between the two communities leading to the arrest and detention of about 42 young men from Wanibolor recently.

The Wanibolor youth had gone to stop the construction of a building in the disputed area being built by the Igede people in Oju LGA of Benue State, resulting to a friction between the two communities which led to their arrest and subsequent detention.

The incident prompted the swift intervention of Yala HOLGA, Mrs Cecilia Ogah who mobilized the Divisional Police officer (DPO), Yala LGA, SP Paulinus Inah, the Clan Head of Wanibolor, Ubet Ignatius Olem and other council staff to meet her counterpart from Oju LGA, Mrs Ire Arobi, the DPO Mr Ali Moses and other critical stakeholders on a fact finding mission.

Addressing the stakeholders, Mrs Ogah decried the ugly situation while saying that the fact-finding mission was geared towards proffering a permanent solution to the crisis and to make recommendations that would ensure lasting solutions to the impasse.

Ogah said, “The Cross River State government is committed to ensuring peace and security of all Cross Riverians, and it is the duty and responsibility of the government to protect lives and property.”

The high point of the proactive meeting which yielded mutually positive result led to the release of the apprehended Wanibolor youth. A new date which will be communicated to all will be fixed for the Stakeholders to meet and reexamine the remote cause of the conflict.

Cross River Governor Senator Bassey Otu has granted Miss Arit Abam, an ex-corps member, automatic employment in the state civil service in recognition of her father’s sacrifices to provide her with a higher education.

Miss Arit Anam returned to her father’s thatch house in their village and filmed herself marching towards him; with a military-style salute, she thanked her father and handed over both her NYSC jacket and face-cap to him.

She posted the video on social media, with a touching note of gratitude and a charge to youths not to be ashamed of their humble backgrounds; which eventually went viral.

Recall that Governor Umo Enoh of Akwa Ibom State, touched by Arit’s expression of gratitude and the story of the father’s sacrifice to see his child through school, recently sent a delegation to Ugep, Yakurr local government area of Cross River State for some background check. Upon the team’s verification of the story, Mr. Eno pledged to build a three-bedroom flat for Mr Abam and family as recognition of his sacrifices.

Governor Bassey Otu lauded Governor Umo Enoh’s gesture towards Arit Abam – an exemplary young Cross Riverian – noting that it confirms the bond between the two sister states.

He hosted Arit in his office where he charged youths in Cross River State and beyond to emulate such acts he described as “worthy of reward.”

A graduate of Mass Communication from Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Arit expressed thanks to Governor Otu for his magnanimity, which she sees as an encouragement toward maintaining cultural standards and values, while acknowledging God for earning goodwill through a simple act of gratitude.

Governor Otu gave Miss Arit the privilege to choose any ministry, department or agency she would prefer to work with within the state civil service.

The Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Owan Enoh and the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita were both mandated to reach out to the Ex-corps member which they did and escorted her before the State Governor.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, in a proactive approach towards the longstanding issue of impassable roads, which has been a major challenge for several communities, took a decisive step by personally inspecting the ongoing internal road construction site at his hometown in Nde.

According to Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the “Mbé Etig” or “Town Road” is a vital artery that connects several villages in Nde. Unfortunately, the road has been plagued by chaotic erosions, which has made it almost impossible for residents and businesses to use it effectively.

Ayambem highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in transporting their produce to markets or urban centres due to the road’s poor condition, saying that this was the driving force behind the urgent need to facilitate its reconstruction. He reiterated the commitment of the People-First administration of Governor Bassey Otu to prioritizing projects that directly improve the lives of the people.

The Speaker, accompanied by the Minority Leader of the CRSHA, Hon. Brian Odey, and the member representing Yala1 State Constituency, engaged with constituents who expressed gratitude for the much-needed development.

The constituents explained that with the Speaker’s inspection and engagement, hope has been restored. Adding that the Speaker’s move was a testament to his unwavering dedication to ensuring the development of Cross River State and the overall well-being of its people.

The project manager, Mr Ogar Tawo Obi (Poizo), provided insights into the proposed 2.5km road, which includes comprehensive drainage systems to mitigate future erosion risks. He assured that the project is on track for timely completion, offering a lifeline to motorists and businesses alike.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has described the longest-serving House of Assembly Clerk, the late Barr. Bassey Edet Ekpeyong, as a mentor and father figure played a crucial role in shaping the Assembly.

Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem made this known on Friday, 12 April 2024, during a valedictory session held in honour of the late Barr. Bassey Edet Ekpeyong, the longest-serving House of Assembly Clerk who served from 2011 to 2022, at the Cross River State House of Assembly.

Elvert Ayambem further described the late Barr Ekpeyong as the brain box of the Assembly, explaining that his legacy will forever be remembered. He also consented to immortalize the late Ekpeyong, who held the record for the longest tenure as a Clerk in both the Cross River State Assembly and Nigeria as a whole.

The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, also spoke highly of the late clerk, describing him as a perfect gentleman who worked smoothly with everyone and had a high level of principles. He was praised for his vast knowledge of the rules and practices of the House and his generosity and belief in the unity of the House.

Other speakers at the event, including the former Speaker of the House, Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams, also shared their fond memories of Barr. Bassey Edet Ekpeyong. They spoke of his deep knowledge of administration and his role as a teacher who imparted his knowledge of the House’s rules and practices to all members.

The former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey and other dignitaries also praised the late clerk for his superb administrative skills, which ensured that the proceedings of the House were always smooth and efficient.

They also highlighted his cordial working relationship with former Speakers and Honourable Members, and it was noted that he continued to be consulted for his ideas even after his retirement until his death.