The federal government has banned what it described as non-critical and administrative capital spending, including the purchase of vehicles. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a document tagged, “What you need to know about the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan” made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, listed eight key interventions contained in the sustainability report.
The plan was developed by the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and set up by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in March. The document was designed to support the economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adesina listed the eight key interventions to include mass agricultural programme, infrastructure, informal sector support, business support for MSMEs, technology, expansion of National Social Investment Programmes, cut in non-essential spending and support for state governments. As part of ways to cut non-essential spending, Adesina said only ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials were exempted from the ban on the purchase of vehicles. He said: “The president has approved the implementation of the report on the rationalisation of government agencies. “The NESP will also target a reduction in average production costs of crude oil. “Also, the Integrated Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) will be expanded to cover all federal government’s MDAs. “Non-critical and administrative capital spending will be eliminated, including purchase of vehicles (except for ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials).” The presidential spokesman stated that the Economic Sustainability Committee would monitor the implementation of the plan with the vice president regularly briefing the president on the issue.
In view of the first plenary session of the 7th Boki Legislative council held On Monday, 22nd June, 2020, to commence her legislative responsibility given upon their elections as legislatures by the good people of Boki Nation.
The honorable councilor representing the good, hospitable and peace loving people of Ogep-Osokom Ward, Hon. Asu, Gilbert Asu, sponsored a motion of urgent Public Interest on the Poor and Unhygienic Conditions of Slaughters and Abattoirs within Boki LGA, with much and herculean emphasis on the Okundi abattoir.
The motion which seeks to cater for the worries over the condition of the meat butchered for sales in such unhygienic and unserene environment (Okundi slaughter), and worriedly considering the spill-over health effect(s) on the final consumers who are good citizens of the Boki Nation.
Hon. G. A. Asu, draw the attention of the house to the reality checks that, the life of every nation is health, hence, health should be the prime concern of every government regime. Recalling that, “health” they say, is “wealth”. He noted the deplorable road and the unfit state of the facility therein the abattoir. And reminded the house that it’s equally the responsibility of the house to advocate for the citizens of the Boki Nation. To this end, Hon. Asu wondered what Sanitary Department of LGA is doing in this regards.
The motion was seconded/supported by Hon. Kelly Kembre, Councillor, representing the good and peace loving people of Boje Ward on the floor of the plenary of Monday, 22nd day of June, in the year of our Lord, 2020.
PRAYER The motion has the following prayers therein;
(1) An urgent and prompt oversight function of the legislature should be embarked upon to visit all abattoirs within Boki LGA for inspection and legislative self seeing.
(2) Sanitary Professional Inspection be undertaken and Intervention measures be advise to the Hon. Chairman of Council Hon. Pastor John Ewa to salvage the poor and unhygienic conditions of slaughters and abattoirs in the Boki LGA which will in turn enhance the health and wellbeing of the good and law abiding people of Boki LGA.
(3) Sanitary regulations should be put in place to be followed by butchers, meat buyers and visitors to the abattoir to achieve a Heath, hygiene and safety environment in Boki abattoirs.
(4) Regular or periodic checks should be made by the sanitary department, to ensure full compliance of sanitation and hygiene in the Boki LGA slaughters and abattoirs.
HOUSE RESOLUTION
The 7th Boki LG legislature resolved that as a result of poor and unhygienic conditions of Okundi, the house will visit all abattoirs in Boki LGA to see the state of facilities and the environmental conditions therein for themselves, for proper intervention afterwards.
Hon. Asu who sponsored the motion thanked God for giving Boki a leader in the person of Pastor John Eshian Ewa as chairman whom he described as a leader with the people’s concern as his priority with the fear and indept knowledge God in his leadership and administrative style.
We shall keep the Boki Nation updated in the outcome of the visit of the legislature to Boki abattoirs and the intervention measures thereafter.
The federal government has banned what it described as non-critical and administrative capital spending, including the purchase of vehicles. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a document tagged, “What you need to know about the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan” made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, listed eight key interventions contained in the sustainability report.
The plan was developed by the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and set up by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in March. The document was designed to support the economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adesina listed the eight key interventions to include mass agricultural programme, infrastructure, informal sector support, business support for MSMEs, technology, expansion of National Social Investment Programmes, cut in non-essential spending and support for state governments.
As part of ways to cut non-essential spending, Adesina said only ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials were exempted from the ban on the purchase of vehicles. He said: “The president has approved the implementation of the report on the rationalisation of government agencies. “The NESP will also target a reduction in average production costs of crude oil. “Also, the Integrated Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) will be expanded to cover all federal government’s MDAs. “Non-critical and administrative capital spending will be eliminated, including purchase of vehicles (except for ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials).” The presidential spokesman stated that the Economic Sustainability Committee would monitor the implementation of the plan with the vice president regularly briefing the president on the issue.
The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aisha Ahmad, has said that 17 commercial banks have submitted requests, as at last month, to restructure over 32,000 loans for individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, according to the World Bank, has become a threat to stability in the banking sector and could push another five million Nigerians into the poverty bracket.
The 32,000 loans for individuals and businesses represent 32.94 per cent of total industry loan portfolio, with the manufacturing and general commerce sectors constituting the bulk of the restructured facilities. Ahmad, in her personal statement at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in May, posted on the CBN’s website yesterday, said the CBN would continue to monitor potential risks to financial stability. Ahmad said financial soundness indicators remained strong, despite the headwinds and rapid expansion of credit, which increased by N3.0 trillion between May 2019 and the April 2020. The credit growth was driven by the Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy. “This resilience notwithstanding, the industry remains exposed to shocks from spillover effects of the pandemic on macroeconomic conditions.
“This underscores the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis, such as granting forbearance to banks to temporarily restructure loans for businesses and households most affected by COVID-19 and the Global Standing Instruction policy to limit NPLs,” she added. According to the CBN deputy governor, results from ongoing impact assessment of COVID-19 effects on impairment by banks indicated modest impact given regulatory policy measures already being implemented. These, coupled with close monitoring by authorities and enhanced risk management practices by financial institutions, would help to mitigate the emerging risks and preserve financial system stability, she said. “The coronavirus-induced global economic crisis is pervasive, with heightened uncertainty for the medium-term economic outlook.
The Dubai Police have seized Dh150 million ($40.9million), along with 13 luxury cars, valued at an estimated Dh25m ($6.8million) in the arrest of an Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi. Abbas was accused of online fraud and money laundering. The National of UAE reported that the $57.7 million (N20.772billion) in cash and luxury cars was seized from the ‘Instagram celebrity,’ who was arrested this month for cyber fraud and money laundering.
In a video shared by the police, officers explained how they arrested the Nigerian gang leader, Hushpuppi. They alleged that Hushpuppi’s principal scam was to create websites that looked identical to well-known companies and banks. He and his accomplices then reportedly used emails and messages to prompt people to log in or make payments on the fake sites.
The gang hacked corporate emails and directed huge payments by companies towards accounts they controlled. Also arrested was Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as Woodberry. Woodberry was arrested along with 10 other men in an operation involving six police SWAT teams. Along with 13 luxury cars, valued at an estimated Dh25m ($6.8m), police confiscated 21 computers and 47 smartphones. The gang had 119,580 “fraud files” as well as addresses of more than 1.92 million victims.
The Senator Professor Ben Ayade led administration in Cross River State has expressed it’s resolve to effectively tackle the incessant menace of collapse fences from round off water due to poor drianage system in the Akai Efa Zone 6 Layout.
As part of that deliberate effort by the Governor to checkmate the situation, a combined team of Cross River State Development Control Agency (CRSDCA), Town Planning and Directors of Engineering Services from the Ministry of Lands, on Thursday inspected the affected area in Akai Efa.
The Director General of the Cross River State Development Control Agency, Engr. Oxford Egbe, led a team of CRSDCA officials, while on the other side, Ministry of Lands were a team of Town Planning and Directors of Engineering Services who on Thursday undertaken an on the spot assessment of the situation in the affected residential site of Akai Efa Layout zone 6.
The CRSDCA Director General, Engr. Exford Egbe, disclosed that they discovered during the inspection that the residential area is affected by rain water runoff due to poor drainage route and planning.
“Virtually all the residents in the layout are affected by poor drainage route system which in most cases, open drainage passed through their compound to the adjoining drains which is hygienically not safe for the residents of the area,” Engr. Egbe maintanied.
Engr. Egne assured that the state Governor, in his poised to do something to ameliorate the situation.
Dark shade, cries and lamentations swallowed the Ntamante community in Boki LGA as a young man, Mr. Michael Ditiem Oyong (a.k.a) Bobos was found slaughtered and dead in the bush at the early hours today of Thursday, 25th June 2020.
The incident that took place along the Ekpashi road in Ntamante community was presumed to have taken place in the evening of Wednesday, 24th June, 2020, which was the last time the late Bobos (Michael Oyong) was seen around the community with his his new motorcycle he just bought some weeks ago.
However, the lifeless body of Michael Oyong (Bobos) who is also from Ntamante community of Boki was recovered and brought to the village square by Ntamante youths, where cries and lamentations had already taken the atmosphere.
The murder case has been reported to the Okundi divisional police and investigation is on by the police as arrangement is made for Bobos to be buried.
More details…
Malachi N. Njagu (Spirit) Ntamante-Boki CRS, Reports
On Monday, 22rd June, 2020, the 7th Boki legislative council had her first plenary session and kicked start her legislative responsibility given upon their elections as legislatures by the good people of Boki Nation.
The Chief whip of the 7th legislature Hon. Eddy Bisong, distinguished, decent,humble and well known councilor representing the good people of Kakwagom/Bawop Ward sponsored a motion of urgent Public Importance On The deplorable State Of Boki LGA Primary education system and the need to summon those concerned to appear before the her for explanations
A motion which seek to articulate the need for Boki Primary Education system to be properly managed, harnessed in order to bring about robustness in human, intellectual and capital development and uncommon social amenities provision in the pastor John Ewa’s 2020-2023 administration.
The motion was seconded or supported by Hon Amos councillor representing the good and innocent people of Beebo Bumaji ward and the leader of the 7th legislature on the floor of the plenary of Monday 22/06/2020.
PRAYERS The motions has the following prayers;
(1) The Urgent and prompts intervention of the Chairman of Council Pastor John Ewa in salvaging the Educational system in Boki LGA in order to restore the primary education system.In doing this prompt payment of teacher’s salaries, organising senminars, conferences and workshops for teachers,regular meetings and screening of teachers should be the Chairman’s topmost priority throughout his tenure in office
(2) Qualified teachers with the basic educational qualifications and passion in teaching profession should be employed,and trained,this implies that teachers with national certificate of education (NCE) be employed in our Primary Educational system.
(3)teachers promotion should not only appear in papers but in vouchers to boost and encourage the zeal, passion and desire in teaching profession.
(4) that a team of qualified staff from the education authority should as a matter of urgent public importance be set up with a mandate of conducting a screening exercise to ascertain and determine teachers with fake and questionable qualifications and or credentials and recomend for their discipline and subsequent dismissal
(5) The Secretary of Boki LGA Primary Education authority should as a matter of neccesity be summons to appear before the 7th legislature to give explanation over the deplorable state of our Primary school.
House Resolutions
The 7th Boki LG legislature summon the Secretary of Boki Primary Education Board to appear before her immediately the novel Corona virus pandemic is over in Order to give explanation on the deplorable and poor State of things in Primary education system in Boki LG
The sponsor of the motion and the chief Whip of the 7th legislature Hon. Eddy Bisong thanked God for giving Boki pastor John Ewa as chairman whom he described as an embodiment of humility, God fearing personality, an intellectual property a unifying factor in Boki politics, a round peg in a round hole who should be supported to bring the desired development and lasting peace in Boki LG.
The chief Whip Hon. Eddy Bisong decried the poor and unworthy state of primary education system in Boki as well as the infrastructure in Boki at present especially at the Local government Council headquarters; (Boje) as terrible and unbearable as no local government in the world has such a deplorable infrastructure and poor road network he prayed that schools across the country should be open because it’s only in Educational attainment that development and societal crime can be curtailed if not minimized.
The chief Whip Hon. Eddy Bisong also advocated that if the best and qualified teachers are employed and their salaries paid as and when due Educational system properly managed by persons with qualified Credentials and not on the basis of politics or who knowns man,if this is done Boki Primary and secondary schools students will be compared with their counterparts in USA AND CANADA.
He also lent his voice with his colleagues asking for a takeoff and landing resources be given to the Chairman to begin the renovation of offices at the LG council headquarters-Boje, clear the roads from okundi to Boje, okundi to Irruan, okundi to Ekpugrinya, Katchuan to Mbube, and Orimekpang to Bateriko to avoid daily accident on commuters plying the roads.
The chief Whip Hon Eddy Bisong also supported and prayed that the chairman should as a matter of urgency attend to the four (4) bad potholes along Nsadop and Boje to avoid easy breakdown of vehicles and unnecessary criminal activities by bad boys who stay around the bad spots to carry out evil acts.
We will update the Boki Nation in the outcome of the public explanation offered by the Secretary of Boki Primary Education authority as soon as the Pandemic is over. Thanks God bless
A High Court sitting in Calabar, Presided over by Hon. Justice Elias Abua has given an interim injunction restraining members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River State Chapter, from proceeding on their planned industrial Action in the state.
The order restraining the NLC in Cross River State from embarking on the said planned strike was given on June 22, 2020, and obtained in suit no HC/ 164/2020 filed by the Government of Cross River State and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, barrister Tanko Ashang, against the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Justice Abua’s ruling of June 22, 2020 barred the Nigeria Labour Congress from proceeding on its planned strike on June 23, 2020 or any other day pending the determination of motion on notice or the 14 days the order will last if the motion is not determined.
Labour had planned an industrial action to protest some issues but the state Government feels Labour has not complied with statutory provisions prerequisite to embarking on a strike.
The Cross River State’s Integrated Bakassi Deep Seaport project inched towards reality Wednesday with the opening of bid for its construction.
Port of Antwerp International of Belgium and CPCS Transcom of Canada were the two main bidders.
The event which took place at the conference room of the State Planning Commission, Calabar had the bidders participating through virtual zoom from Belgium and Canada.
The bid opening was witnessed by the Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Keneth Asim Ituah and the Civil Society Organisations represented by Mrs Glory Patrick Etokeren of BudgetTransparency and Accountability Network, BTAN.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Steering Committee for the Integrated Bakassi Deep seaport project, Dr. Francis Ntamu assured that the project will not suffer abandonment.
According to Ntamu who is also the Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of the seaport project has completely eliminated uncertainty about its completion.
“The beauty of PPP is that it takes away the anxiety of whether or not the next administration will want to carry on with the project. Once there are shareholders and stakeholders, it means that the project is already in the market place and this eliminates uncertainty factors.This is what the PPP model seeks to achieve.
“Cross River State Government is not necessarily bringing money to the table for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project. The money will be coming from highly credible international players in the maritime sector. That for us is the key strategy that His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade foresaw when he came into office in 2015. And that is the way forward because most world economies today are private sector driven,” Dr.Ntamu said.
Outlining the economic potentials of Cross River, he said: “Cross River is one of the few states in Nigeria that have the benefit of three economies- blue economy which has to do with the opportunities that come with maritime, the green economy which is the opportunity that comes with our rich forest reserve and the brown field economy e.g Tinapa, International Conference Centre etc. When you fuse these three economies what you have on the table is massive triple posterity.”
On his part, the Director- General of Cross River Bureau of Public Private Partnership (BPPP), Odiba Odiba explained that the PPP model for the seaport project “will be on the basis of design, built, operate and transfer.
“The private sector is the engine for driving economic development and that is basically what we are doing with the Bakassi Deep Seaport project. Whether or not His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade will finish the project before his tenure runs out is not the question, the main thing is that we have a visioner, someone that opened the space and that person is His Excellency”, the DG stated.
The commissioner, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Stella Oreme Odey meets Anti-tax Agency ably led by its Chairman, Bishop Dr. Emmah Isong at the conference hall of the ministry of LG affairs in Calabar.
The honorable Commissioner being a passionate woman to the vulnerable just as his Excellency Senator Prof. Ben Ayade, accepted to assist the anti-tax agency to talk and liaise with the council chairmen in making sure the poor and low income earners at the grassroot are exempted from tax payment just as his Excellency Gov. Ben Ayade has directed.
The Commissioner further commended the agency for the courtesy visit and concern for the poor, especially their readiness to work with the chairmen for the good of the poor and vulnerable.
On Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020, The Boki Legislative Council resolved for the LG Council to take urgent steps to address the chaos regarding the Security situation in Biakwan and Biajua Communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Motion Sponsored by, Hon. Osang Puis Kejuo, the Abo Ward Councillor and Majority Leader of Boki Legislative Council, decried the ugly situation that had occurred in the past week. He expressed his grievances over the shooting of Unarmed Civilian and burning of house in Biajua Community. He called on the House to step in, as he believes could bring a lasting solution to the situation. The house unanimously resolved and adopted his prayers; The House resolved thus:
The DPO of Boki and all the Security agencies to appear before the house to brief the house on the security situations in Biakwan and Biajua Communities respectively.
A committee should be set up to investigate the remote courses of the matter in Biakwan and Biajua Communities respectively.
A Security Submit to discuss the security of Abo Ward and Boki in general.
On Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020, the 7th Boki legislative council had her first plenary session and kicked start her legislative responsibility given upon their elections as legislatures by the good people of Boki Nation. Hon. George Ajangson, the councilor representing Oku/Borum/Njua Ward sponsored a motion of urgent Public Importance On The State Of Boki LGA Internally Generated Revenue igr.
A motion which seek to articulate the need for Boki IGR to be properly managed, harnessed to bring about robustness in infrastructural development and uncommon social amenities provision in the pastor John Ewa’s 2020-2023 administration. The motion was unanimously supported by the eleven (11) councilor’s of Boki on the floor of the plenary of Monday 22/06/2020.
House Resolutions
The 7th Boki LG legislature summon the Head Of Local Government Affair (HOLGA), Director Of Finance Service (DFS) and the revenue officer of Boki to appear before the house on Wednesday 24/06/2020 in Boje by 10:00clok(am) to offer public explanation on the poor state of Boki IGR and other related issues on the running of Boki LGc.
After the public explanation today Wednesday, 24th June,2020, the 7th Boki legislature shall decide on what happens to the Boki IGR for the good of the people and advice the LGC Chairman on the way forward.
The sponsor of the motion, Hon. George Ajangson thanked God for giving Boki pastor John Ewa as chairman whom him Hon. George Ajangson described as a unifying factor in Boki politics, a round peg in a round hole who should be supported to bring the desired development and peace in Boki LG.
Hon. George Ajangson decried the poor and unworthy state of infrastructure in Boki at present especially at the LGC headquarters; Boje and prayed that revenue should be revolved immediately and competent hands made to handle the IGR of Boki, so that, the chairman can start addressing some key problems facing Boki. Hon. George Ajangson also advocated that if the IGR is properly managed it will give pastor John Ewa the needed takeoff and landing resources to begin a renovation of offices at the LG council headquarters-Boje, clear the roads from okundi to Boje, okundi to Irruan, okundi to Ekpugrinya, Katchuan to Mbube, and Orimekpang to Bateriko to avoid daily accident on commuters plying the roads.
Hon. George Ajangson prayed the chairman to immediately attend to the four (4) bad potholes along Nsadop and Boje to avoid easy breakdown of vehicles and unnecessary criminal activities by bad boys who stay around the bad spots to carry out evil acts.
We will update the Boki Nation in the outcome of the public explanation offered by the summoned HOLGA, DFS, and revenue officer at the end of the day. Thank you and God bless
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Cross River state chapter, has promised to partner with the Anti Tax Agency in the area of sensitisation of members on tolls and levies.
Governor Ben Ayade three weeks ago inaugurated the State Anti Tax Agency to look into double taxation and illegal collection of tolls and levies from petty traders, small shops, and farmers.
Receiving the team ( made up of Rev. Fr. Dr. Julius Adah, Rev. Sis.Patricia Olom, Pastor John Ekpenyong) during a courtesy visit and led by Bishop Emmah Isong in his office in Calabar on Tuesday, the Chairman of CAN, Most-Rev. Okon Bassey Ekpenyong, said the Christian body will partner with the Agency and ensure it succeeds considering the enormous responsibilities it is carrying.
Ekpenyong said the Agency came in the nick of time when the citizens were crying of multiple levies and tolls and therefore enjoined them to live above board in the discharge of their duties. According to him, Governor Ben Ayade has listened to the cries of the poor by setting up the Agency but urged them to carry out enough campaigns to create awareness as the people expect much from them.
He said: “We would take the messages and aims of the Anti -Tax Agency to our various churches and to our members across the state. We would always work together and continuously interface with the Agency to guarantee its success.
“So many companies have left the state due to taxation and with the caliber of people who are members and leading the Agency, I am confident of your success.”
He commended Governor Ayade for setting up such a sensitive Agency and pledged that CAN would always collaborate with the government to drive its policies and programmes.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong, said illegal taxation is killing the State and they are out to work with government and other critical stakeholders to free business men and women in Cross River. Bishop Isong said the Agency is soliciting for partnership with the Christian body to help curb the menace and reverse the ugly trend in the state.
“We are here to introduce ourselves to you, we need your prayers and support. Illegal taxation is killing our people and the governor wept while setting the agency up to underscore the suffering his people are going through.”
“We need CAN to help us in creating awareness and sensitisation as well as cooperation in terms of Anti-Tax Brigades and Marshals that will be engaged”, he said. He added that the Agency has gone far in its task by requesting the Cross River State Assembly to broaden the 2015 Tax Exemption Law of the state just as the Agency is seeking the consent of the judiciary in setting up mobile courts.
According to him, the mission of the Agency is to build a better future for the people of the state in line with the governor’s vision.
As part of his desire and policy thrust to make life meaningful to all including the most vulnerables, of the society, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Benedict Ayade, has given directive for the renovation of the Orphanage home in Calabar.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Humanity and Social Welfare, Hon. Blessing Egbara, disclosed this while undertaking on the Spot assessment of the Ongoing building renovation Project of the Cross River state Motherless babies Home, on Tuesday.
The Humanity and Social Welfare, Commissioner, Hon Blessing Egbara, was shocked at the state of affairs of the Motherless Babies Home which was in a state of dilapidation and with so many leakages in the buildings, making life unbearable for the children and staff of the Home.
Before the present intervention by Governor Ayade, the Commissioner expressed sadness that the area where the children slept was virtually at the stage of collapsing.
“Honestly the place was in a very bad state, when I first got here I nearly wept, the buildings was almost collapsing on the children, the surroundings very bushy as if no one lives here. I quickly wrote to His Excellency and I’m really happy that today we can witness a new look Motherless Babies home”
The Commissioner further added that the roofs have all been fixed and the ceilings are all changed to PVCs which has made the place more comfortable for both the children and the staff.
“As you can see the Children are all smiling and playing around, it wasn’t like this when I first came here, so it shows that these children are finally enjoying the new change around the premises,” Hon. Egbara maintained.
Hon. Egbara assured that everything will be done to ensure the children are well taken care of and that security, man power, and a vehicle will be provide to the Home.
Speaking on the state of affairs around the home, the Officer in-charge of the Motherless Babies Home, Uwanse, Mrs Ekanem Archibong, commended the Commissioner for her love for children and praised His Excellency Professor Benedict Ayade for swinging into action to salvage the situation around the Home.
She explained that hitherto to the intervention the leakages was so serious that and when it rains the children have to carry their mattress to a corner where the leakage was less, adding that the Children are really happy for the new mother they now have in the person of Hon. Blessing Egbara and disclosed that the children are truly grateful for having her, a woman who meets up to their demand.
“Things have really turned around since mummy came to this place, the children are more lively, the environment is conducive for them, they have water, there is a Standby Generator in case there is no public power, alot has really happened. I really want to thank the Governor, for reaching out to this children. it shows how passionate he is towards the wellbeing of his people, as you can see the project is still ongoing and we are really pleased with what is happening”
Mrs Archibong use the opportunity to also appealed to the Governor to provide a vehicle for the Home, to enable them convey the children to the hospital in case of an emergency”
Today Tuesday, 23rd June 2020, the Executive Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Hon Linus Etim, received the Director General Cross River State Border Community Agency and his entourage, in his office in Akamkpa LGA
The Chairman expressed satisfaction over their visit, thanked the board members for their work in ensuring development and dividends of democracy reaches the communities that border Cameroon in Akamkpa.
He also appreciated the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen Ben Ayade for always putting the people first, on issues concerning development. He assured the board members of his readiness to collaborate and support the Agency.
The chairman also lamented the poor state of infrastructure and negligence of the communities in Akamkpa, he solicited the cooperation and synergy to meet the needs of the people at the interior part of local government.
On his part , the Director General of the Agency informed the Chairman, that they were in the local government on an assessment tour to enable them include the most pertinent needs of border communities, and enable State Government capture those needs of the communities while planning for the fiscal year.
He said the Agency has been working so hard to revive and establish basic amenities with development partners and other relevant government agencies that will transform the lives of the people in the rural area.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of questionaire to the Chairman while the Agency also clarified on issues of abandoned projects in communities across the local government.
Today Tuesday, June 23rd 2020, the Executive Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Hon Linus Etim, received the Director General Cross River State Border Community Agency and his entourage, in his office in Akamkpa LGA
The Chairman expressed satisfaction over their visit, thanked the board members for their work in ensuring development and dividends of democracy reaches the communities that border Cameroon in Akamkpa.
He also appreciated the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen Ben Ayade for always putting the people first, on issues concerning development. He assured the board members of his readiness to collaborate and support the Agency.
The chairman also lamented the poor state of infrastructure and negligence of the communities in Akamkpa, he solicited the cooperation and synergy to meet the needs of the people at the interior part of local government.
On his part , the Director General of the Agency informed the Chairman, that they were in the local government on an assessment tour to enable them include the most pertinent needs of border communities, and enable State Government capture those needs of the communities while planning for the fiscal year.
He said the Agency has been working so hard to revive and establish basic amenities with development partners and other relevant government agencies that will transform the lives of the people in the rural area.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of questionaire to the Chairman while the Agency also clarified on issues of abandoned projects in communities across the local government.
Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Ben Ayade has been conferred with an Award as the Best Governor in Nigeria.
The Award which saw the Cross River State Governor, Senator Ayade come top with 73.7 percent overall in the Online voting among other governors in the country is from a reputable organization in the country known as National Coalition for Progressive Change (NCPC).
Speaking during the 10th Anniversary of the Organizations meeting held at 502 Hotel, State Housing Estate, Calabar, the National Chairman of the NCPC, Mr. Sunday Michael said that Governor Ayade came top in the ranking among the governors who were listed for performing well.
The NCPC Chairman further disclosed that Governor Ayade also Scored 65 percent on Infrastructure Development, 64 percent on Poverty Alleviation, 80 percent on Accessibility, 79 percent on Agriculture and 80.5 percent on Tourism.
Mr. Michael explained further that the Cross River State Governor was equally voted as the Most Favourite Youth Governor across the country, as well as the most visible and accessible leader in Nigeria.
“This is a yearly assessment, and it is purely from the poll of one million people that voted. By next year, to make these processes more transparent for you to vote you must first register on our website. This is not induced, I challenge anybody, directly or indirectly to point out anybody who has induced us to do this, this is purely the voters decision, the NCPC Chairman averred.
He further appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the Government, and also disclosed that in the next 2 days, the ranking for the Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will start and to everyone who wishes to vote for their Top 10 Ministers can visit their Website, http://www.ncpcnigeria.org to vote for their top 10 Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr. Michael further disclosed that all the Governors considered by the online polls have done exceptionally well and the NCPC has decided to publish how they all faired in order for them to see where they haven’t done so well so they could improve on their performance in such areas.
The other Governors who the Online survey polls considered include, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi with 73.1 percent, Oluwaseyi Makinde of Oyo, 71 percent, Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos, 70 percent, David Umahi, Ebonyi, 69.9 percent, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, 69 percent, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, 68.5 percent, Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, 68.2 percent, Nyesome WIke of Rivers, 68 percent and Willie Obiano of Anambra polled 67.7 percent.
The COVID-19 Taskforce in Cross River State wishes to draw the attention of the public to the risk of abandoning safety measures put in place to safeguard their lives against the CORONA Virus.
Nigeria is at the peak of the pandemic with the country recording over 700 cases in a day. This is not the time to relax and lose guard. It’s not the time to gamble with your life. If you are waiting for the task force to push or force you to use your face mask, face shield, avoid public gatherings, wash your hand and use hand sanitizers often; then you are putting your own life at risk.
Sometimes we see people in joints hanging out with friends, attending burials, weddings, parties, going to places of worship where safety is ignored on the grounds of religion, moving on the streets without nose mask or observing the right measures to keep safe. When asked the say “there is no Corona Virus in Cross River” so we don’t need to observe any of the safety measures. This is a wrong mindset that must be trashed immediately! Even when we had just 5 confirmed Cases in the country, clear measures were spelt out and we were asked to follow them faithfully, nothing has changed! If anything it has gone worse!
Every cross Riverians must take responsibility for their safety and that of others around them. While we do not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state, everyone must play their part in keeping safe. Remember that too soon the entire country will be open and people from epi-centers will come into the state and go out at will. So we must imbibe the right culture on time.
It is important that members of the public avoid public gatherings, those events can wait, those parties can wait, if it’s not very important, if it’s not very necessary, please avoid going out. Home is the safe zone. While we do not encourage panic as rumors have surnamed every disease COVID and every death COVID 19; preventing persons from seeking care for illnesses on time. We must exercise utmost caution. Stay safe! Stay home! Avoid gathering, use your mask always, use your hand sanitizers always, ensure physical distancing, and report any suspected incident to the COVID -19 Task force, call the toll free lines and seek care for all illnesses on time!
CROSS RIVER COUNCIL OF CHAIRMEN 2020 By Agbor, John Onabe
In view of the yearnings of many LGA citizens at home and in diaspora to reaching their local governments at ease, Comr. Agbor, John Onabe an investigative graphic journalist, information researcher, blogger and lover of information dissemination of all sort to and at all level painstakingly research and compile this graphic documentary.
However, the highly tasking and not too easy to finish project was carried out for the benefit of LGA citizens who wish to reach their councils or heads of councils from within and outside the state respectively, but has no idea as how to get to the local governments. Whereas, this info-graphics research was designed to give the cross river populace a perfect satisfaction to their information taste.
In a public chat with one of the whatsap platforms where he received appreciation from some cross riverian in diaspora, Comr. Onabe promise to avail the state with their leaders’ emails and social media names in his second edition which is in progress.
SamaquaGist.com 