Month: June 2026

Cross River State recorded another major milestone on Democracy Day as Governor Bassey Edet Otu received a newly state-owned aircraft, bringing the Cally Air fleet to 5, and rolled out over 100 electric vehicles and tricycles as part of his administration’s drive to modernise transportation, improve public service delivery, and deepen economic empowerment across the state.

The acquisition of the new aircraft is expected to enhance connectivity, facilitate official engagements, and strengthen the state’s capacity to attract investment and tourism. The development, according to many Cross Riverians has been widely described as a strategic asset that will support the state’s economic growth agenda and improve access to key destinations within and outside Cross River.

In a related development, Governor Otu presented 36 electric vehicles to Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, marking the first phase of a broader electric mobility programme. The governor disclosed that the initiative forms part of a larger package involving over 100 electric vehicles and electric tricycles earmarked for public transportation and empowerment programmes.

Speaking during the presentation, Governor Otu said the move was designed to improve efficiency in governance, reduce transportation costs, and provide civil servants with the tools required to deliver optimal service to the people.

He noted that the administration’s decision to embrace electric mobility was informed by the rising cost of transportation and the need for sustainable alternatives that would reduce dependence on conventional fuel.

According to him, beneficiaries of the electric vehicles stand to save significantly on fuel and maintenance costs, while the state will benefit from a cleaner and more environmentally friendly transportation system.

The governor further announced plans to establish charging infrastructure across the state to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles. He explained that relevant ministries and agencies have already commenced work on developing charging stations and service centres that will serve both government officials and members of the public.

Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a modern and prosperous Cross River State through strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital development.

He also commended the Cross River State House of Assembly for its continued support, noting that many of the achievements recorded by his administration have been made possible through legislative cooperation and timely budget approvals.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Barrister Orok Okon, described the presentation of the electric vehicles as a landmark achievement for the state civil service. He praised the governor for prioritising the welfare of public servants and introducing modern technology into government operations.

The Democracy Day initiatives have been hailed by stakeholders as a bold step towards repositioning Cross River for sustainable development, improved public service delivery, and greater economic opportunities for its citizens.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has called on Nigerians to embrace peace, unity, and mutual respect as essential pillars for sustaining the nation’s democracy.

In a Democracy Day message issued on June 12, 2026, Ayambem extended warm greetings to Nigerians and emphasized the importance of fostering harmony across political, ethnic, religious, and social divides.

According to the Speaker, democracy can only flourish in an environment where peace prevails, urging citizens to promote dialogue, tolerance, and understanding in their daily interactions. He noted that Nigeria’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths and should serve as a tool for national development rather than division.

Ayambem stated that Democracy Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought for democratic governance and to recommit to protecting the values and institutions that uphold the nation’s democracy.

He urged Nigerians to reject violence, intolerance, and actions capable of undermining national unity, stressing that collective efforts are needed to achieve lasting progress, security, and prosperity.

The Speaker further called on leaders and citizens alike to remain steadfast in promoting justice, fairness, accountability, and peaceful coexistence, adding that the future Nigerians desire can only be realized through unity and a shared commitment to nation-building.

He concluded by wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and fulfilling Democracy Day celebration while encouraging continued support for democratic ideals and national development.

The Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Hon. Amb. Chief (Dr.) Sunny Ayang, JP, has congratulated the people of Obanliku on the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to people-oriented governance and sustainable development across the local government.

In his Democracy Day message issued on Friday, June 12, 2026, Dr. Ayang described the people of Obanliku as resilient, hardworking, and peace-loving, while commending their continued support for democratic governance and community development.

The Chairman noted that Democracy Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the enduring values of freedom, unity, justice, and the collective will of the people, which remain the foundation of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

He assured residents that his administration remains committed to delivering the dividends of democracy through transparent, accountable, and impactful leadership, emphasizing that governance under his watch would continue to prioritize the welfare and aspirations of the people.

Dr. Ayang further stated that the Renewed Hope agenda would continue to translate into meaningful development, improved opportunities, and enhanced service delivery across all communities in Obanliku Local Government Area.

He called on citizens to remain united, hopeful, and committed to the progress of the local government, stressing that collective effort remains essential to building a more prosperous, secure, and progressive Obanliku.

 

The Chairman concluded by wishing all residents a happy Democracy Day and prayed for God’s blessings upon Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Cross River State Government led by Governor Bassey Otu has approved the immediate commencement of rehabilitation and completion works at the abandoned Akpabuyo General Hospital Complex located within the CrossPil Estate, in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

As part of efforts to ensure a smooth takeover of the project site and the commencement of construction activities, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, PhD, on Thursday visited the facility alongside the contractor and members of the host community.

During the inspection, Dr Egbe Ayuk and other stakeholders discussed modalities for the seamless execution of the project, with assurances that work would commence without delay following the governor’s approval.

Accord to the stakeholders, the revival of the long-abandoned hospital complex is expected to improve access to quality healthcare services for residents of Akpabuyo Local Government Area and surrounding communities.

Project Grow has commenced a statewide Training of Trainers program aimed at strengthening soybean production capacity across Cross River State in partnership with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, who supported the technical sessions on soybean production practices.

The training is being held across the three senatorial districts, beginning in Calabar, with subsequent sessions scheduled for Yakurr and Obanliku Local Government Areas. The program combines both classroom instruction and field demonstration sessions to ensure participants gain practical, hands-on understanding of soybean cultivation techniques. Participants include extension agents, Ministry desk officers, Agric officers, lead farmers, and other key stakeholders who are expected to cascade the knowledge to farmers across communities.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development Honorable Johnson Ebokpo, affirmed the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a commercially viable sector. He emphasized that soybean production under Project Grow will not be limited to commercial farms but will be expanded to smallholder farmers, ensuring inclusive participation. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the project in strengthening food security, creating jobs, and improving the state’s economy through guaranteed market access.

Speaking during the training, the Project Director, Mr. Denis Ikpali, reaffirmed Project Grow’s commitment to developing a sustainable soybean value chain in Cross River State. He disclosed that the project is targeting the cultivation of 1,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2026 wet season farming cycle, a strategic investment aimed at increasing production, creating jobs, improving farmer incomes, and strengthening the state’s agricultural economy.

According to him, the Training of Trainers program is a critical component of the project’s implementation strategy, ensuring that extension agents and lead farmers are equipped with the technical knowledge required to support successful soybean cultivation across participating communities.

He further confirmed that Project Grow has a secured offtake arrangement with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc for 2,000 tons of soybeans and 20,000 tons of maize, valued at approximately ₦18 billion, providing a guaranteed market that strengthens farmer confidence and investment in production.

Facilitating the training, Mr. Kolawole O. Amonsou, the Regional Value Chain Head of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, delivered practical technical guidance covering the full soybean production cycle from land preparation, planting, crop management, to harvesting. He emphasized key agronomic standards, including planting seeds at a depth of 3 centimeters and placing fertilizer 5 centimeters beside the seed and 2 centimeters deeper to ensure optimal nutrient uptake and yield performance.

The program adopts a stepdown training model where trained participants will extend knowledge to farmers across communities, strengthening productivity and ensuring consistency in quality output.

The initiative aligns with the agricultural transformation agenda of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, whose administration continues to drive deliberate investments in agriculture, and position it as a key driver of economic growth, food security, job creation, and improving livelihoods across Cross River State.

The Cross River State Government has presented an extensive account of its infrastructure achievements over the last three years, highlighting more than 200 road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects executed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The disclosure was made during a sectoral media briefing organised by the Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Bassey Edet Otu as part of activities commemorating the administration’s third anniversary in office.

Speaking at the briefing, Chairman of the Forum and Special Adviser on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, said the exercise was aimed at providing Cross Riverians with accurate information on projects undertaken by the administration and addressing concerns raised by critics.

According to Akiba, several completed projects have received little public attention because they were delivered and put into use without elaborate commissioning ceremonies.

“We are here to provide an accurate account of the achievements recorded under the People First administration and keep citizens informed about the progress being made across the state,” he stated.

Presenting the administration’s infrastructure scorecard, the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Raphael Adoga, disclosed that the government has completed, initiated, or awarded road projects covering approximately 426 kilometres across the Southern, Central, and Northern Senatorial Districts.

In the Southern Senatorial District, he highlighted rehabilitation works on major roads in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including Murtala Mohammed Highway, Parliamentary Extension Road, UCTH Road, Jonathan Bypass, and several internal roads serving residential communities and security formations.

He also listed key projects in Odukpani, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi Local Government Areas, including the Adiabo-Eseku Road, Uyanga-Opuma-Eko Road, Okurikang-Obot-Oko-Okoyong Road, and various community access roads.

For the Central Senatorial District, Adoga identified major projects in Yakurr, Ikom, Obubra, and Etung Local Government Areas, including the Mkpani-Agbo Road, Boki East-West Road, Ikom urban roads, Okon-Bokon Road, and several road networks within Ugep and neighbouring communities.

In the Northern Senatorial District, he cited infrastructure interventions in Ogoja, Obanliku, Yala, and Bekwarra Local Government Areas, including the Obanliku road network, Bayaga-Kating Road, Sankwala-Kubong Road, and a number of urban roads within Ogoja metropolis.

He explained that while many projects have already been completed and opened for public use, others remain at different stages of execution.

Responding to public concerns regarding the Yache-Wanakom Bridge project in Yala Local Government Area, Adoga dismissed claims that the project had been abandoned. He explained that construction was temporarily suspended following technical recommendations requiring additional engineering modifications.

According to him, experts discovered that piling had not been included in the original design despite the strong river current, prompting the government to approve a variation to guarantee the long-term durability and safety of the bridge.

“The project was not abandoned. The redesign was approved to accommodate critical engineering requirements necessary for the bridge’s stability,” he said.

He added that substantial work had already been completed on the connecting road and that construction would resume fully upon completion of the additional engineering processes.

Beyond road infrastructure, the government highlighted ongoing investments in public facilities, including the renovation of the State Library Complex, the Local Government Service Commission Headquarters, legislative residences, and the Governor’s Office.

Adoga further disclosed that work on the Obudu International Cargo Airport was progressing steadily, with critical navigational equipment already installed and final structural components nearing completion.

He maintained that the administration’s infrastructure agenda is focused on enhancing connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and improving access to communities across the state.

The briefing formed part of activities marking Governor Bassey Otu’s third year in office and provided a comprehensive overview of projects delivered under the administration’s development agenda.

Governor Bassey Edet Otu has approved a ₦10 million car grant for each of the 196 ward councillors across Cross River State, in a move aimed at enhancing grassroots governance and strengthening local government administration.

The governor announced the approval during a meeting with ward councillors on Monday in Calabar, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting elected representatives at the grassroots level.

According to Governor Otu, the grant is intended to improve the mobility and operational efficiency of councillors, enabling them to better serve their respective wards and maintain closer engagement with their constituents.

The governor further directed that the payments be processed and disbursed within the week, stressing that beneficiaries must receive the full amount without any deductions.