Paradise News

Category: Business

  • WOMEN AND YOUTHS TO BENEFIT FROM MARITIME BUSINESS SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP

    By: Louisa Tatey, MOI Officer Reporting from Ministry of Commerce

    The Cross River State Government has called on Cross Riverians to embrace Maritime Trade in order to boost commercial activities and enhance economic development in light of Industrialization opportunities created by the Governor Ben Ayade.

    The Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs. RoseMary Archibong, made this call when she received in her office, an International Maritime Consultant and Mabaging Director, Bright Flow Logistics services limited Mrs. Anie Iton recently.

    Mrs. Archibong, who expressed delight on her visit, stated that while work is ongoing at the Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Calabar Port is a veritable tool for export route for the many marketable commodities, especially Agro-Product which the present administration is committed to putting on domestic, regional, continental and international market.

    She concluded that our youths and women as a matter of expediency, should be trained and called on the consultant to collaborate with the ministry and run a one-day sensitization seminar in this regard.

    On her part, Mrs. Anie congratulated the commissioner on her appointment, and promised to synergize with the state government to ensure manpower development in the area of Maritime business.

    She emphasized on the need for industrialists to be conscious of the production, packaging and documentation that would meet international market standard.

    She thanked His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade for embarking on the Deep Seaport project, which would further enhance Maritime activities and improve economic climate in the state and accepted to assist in the sensitization programme, on a day to be agreed upon.

  • Ayade: Why I’m executing many projects despite low revenue

    Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade has explained that the availability of what he calls “intellectual money” is the reason his administration has been able to  execute many capital intensive projects despite low revenue allocation to the state.
    The governor, who spoke in Calabar recently, said without intellectual money, the state would have been in deep financial mess.
    He said because of intellectual money, low federal allocations have not stalled progress of work on his signature projects, including the 275 kilometre superhighway connecting Cross River with Northern Nigeria.
    “The use of intellect to make up for naira and kobo is what is called intellectual money. Intellectual currency is stronger than paper currency and so where there is a defficiency of funds the intellect takes over,” Professor Ayade explained.
    On his projects, the governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.
    According to him, “the projects have all reached appreciable milestones. For the superhighway,  the construction work is ongoing, the discharge point in terms of the input gateway is at the Benue state border which is the beginning of northern Nigeria.
    “It stretches all the way up to Bakassi, a total of 275 kilometers, 97 kilometers of which has been fully cleared and the earth work is ongoing while the other portion from Ikom up to Bakassi, the clearing work is ongoing which is the de-bushing process to create the corridor. It is a 70 meters wide corridor to allow for six lanes with a five meters wide median to the left and right creating a canopy effect. It is fully digital with ambulatory services, full digital support services and distant information system with electronic mild stuff that allows you to do adverts.”
    The governor added that  “the idea of the Superhighway is to have a road that can allow the luxry of evacuation of solid minerals and other associated deposits from northern Nigeria into the Atlantic coast line where the Bakassi deep seaport is sited.
    Professor Ayade rued the fact that the state was not only grappling with low revenue allocation but was also weighed down by a huge debt burden.
    “We are not just number 35 in terms of revenue allocation out of 36 States, we are also servicing debt monthly and its deducted from source. So it is not just enough that we earn low, it far more difficult that we have a huge debt burden on my shoulders  and I have not defaulted. I pay N1.8 billion every month on debt servicing.
    “Despite these challenges, Today we are doing the dualization of Calabar to Odukpani Junction. Just go and see the amount of work going on there and by the end of March the  traffic lock-jam in Odukpani will be over forever. The Federal Government says it will not refund. It’s a State Government road but is and I’m not getting a dime in terms of refund.”
    The governor maintained that it was probably after he has left office that the people of the state will realise the extend to which he deployed intellectual money to execute projects in the face of dwindling liquid cash.
    “I’m sure that when I leave office, Cross River State will appreciate what I call intellectual money. Just go to the northern part of the state and see the projects there. I’m doing a road across the entire Northern senatorial district crossing the heart of each of the five local governments that make up the senatorial district, a dual carriage road of over a 100 kilometers.
    “No state government in the history of Nigeria has embarked on such gigantic road project. That project will be completed by September this year, it will be done and dusted. The company handling the road project has split into two teams. A team is doing Ogoja -Yala component while another is handling  the Obudu/Bekwarra /Obanliku component.
    “I am self propelled, I’m not driven by politics even much more without money. I look for passion bacause when somebody has passion there will be no issue.”

  • CRSG set to host Summit Hills International Trade Fair

    “…we are set to design and deliver a wholistic trade fair, for the mind, body and pockets” – Joseph Edet

    The Managing Director of Summit Hills Estate Development Services Limited, Mr. Joseph Edet today announced the most anticipated in-house event from the stables of Summit Hills in meeting with various stakeholders, “The Summit Hills Trade fair”.
    He stated that the will feature a 20km mini marathon where prizes will be won in different categories.

    In addressing a team of vibrant technocrats categorized into different action committees to execute a world class standard trade fair, he noted that bringing manufacturers to the common man to stimulate the State’s economy  is the key target of the program.
    “We are thinking of how to stimulate the economy and activities of small and medium scale enterprises of Cross River State by bringing the manufacturers to the common man”
    “Multinationals are also billed to take part in the fair with over 1,500 exhitors and over 10,000 retail imports within the South-South region of Nigeria”.

    Cross River State is now known for the industrial and enterprise vision of the Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade (Ksj) led administration and Summit Hills as an enterprise of government is about to offer a unique opportunity to medium, small and micro enterprises to showcase their products and generate quick turnover while offering the public value for money.

    The MD reiterated that the trade fair is not just for physical goods but also an opportunity for providers of digital/virtual goods and services to market their products and ideas while offering extra opportunities for brand building, sales generation, customer relationship and channel building/support.

    He also did inform stakeholders that the trade fair will not just focus on the exchange of goods and services for money but will also have different features such as business clinics, mentorship sessions and panel discussions while not forgetting to make sure that vendors and visitors to the fair from within and outside the state get to experience the Cross River State culture with premium entertainment and exploration of the tourism component which the state is known for.

    A special feature of the trade fair will be the Summit Hills Marathon where racers are expected to compete for prizes and other tourism component to include: boat cruise from the CICC – Tinapa – Marina, Double-decker tour, paint ball games and much more.

    End. 

  • SUMMIT HILLS ESTATE; SOON TO ENJOY INDEPENDENT POWER.

    The Managing Director of Summit Hills Estate Development Services Limited, Mr. Joseph Edet (LA’SHAKARA) received a delegation of investors today at the Summit Hills. Speaking while welcoming the delegation led by Mr. Donald Dunu of Chord Power And Engineering Services Limited in the company of Chudi Obianu, Vice President A.P Moller Capital and Ebbe Hamilton, Senior Advisor A.P Moller Capital, the managing director of Summit Hills emphasised the need for Summit Hills to have access to steady, clean and stable electricity as it will improve the status of the complex and make it the number one destination for convention, wellness, golf and residence in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
    He also pointed out that with the hospital, 5 star hotel and recreational Park projects coming up in a short while, the energy demand of the complex is bound to soar and depending on diesel powered generators which are not cost and environmentally friendly was not going to be an option to be explored.

    Also speaking, the Director General of Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau, Barr. Tutu Ekeng welcomed the investors and assured them of the investment friendly nature of the state. She emphasised the desire of the Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade(Ksji) led administration to decouple the state from being a civil service dependent state to an industrial and enterprise minded state.

    The Commissioner of Power Mr Victor Agwu who was also present at the meeting said that the government places emphasis on industrialization of which power is a core enabler, that government believes that the project is viable and doable and thus is ready to render assistance to meet the project target.

    During a presentation made by the leader of the investors delegation Mr. Donald Dunu, he stated that what the project portends is that Summit Hills will receive electricity for usage and re-supply to their tenants using a Low Cost Entry Model where the management of Summit Hills will not need to invest money to procure, train and manage the power facility. The electricity will be sold at a price that hovers around the DISCO tariff such that it will make the re-sale tariff to the facilities, industries and organizations operating in the Summit Hills Complex very attractive while allowing Summit Hills management to generate revenue from the resale of the electricity. He also stated that feasibility studies had already been carried out to ascertain the efficiency, environmental impact, availability and load acceptability. Mr. Donald Dunu revealed that upon signing of a Power Sale Agreement, his company will go ahead to provide an initial 2MW of guaranteed electricity supply to Summit Hills via a robust next generation captive power plant to be fired by compressed natural gas (CNG) within four months.

    The Vice president of AP Moller Capital, Mr. Chudi Obianwu said that AP Moller has an infrastructure investment fund of $1B (One billion dollars) and  looks forward to invest in Africa in impactful ways, the provision of clean and cost effective power being part of their goals. He expressed delight over the project and promised to find more innovative ways to work with Summit Hills and Cross River state by extension.

    The Special Adviser to the governor on technical. Hon. Eric Akpo thanked the investors delegation and assured them of governments support towards the successful implementation of the project once all technical details have been put in place to ensure sustainability and make sure that global standards are met.

    In his vote of thanks, the Managing director of Summit Hills restated the fact that Summit Hills is diverse and must be made viable. He thanked the investors for considering Summit Hills and Cross River State and finding it worthy of their investment.

    The meeting ended with a tour of Summit Hills facilities including the Calabar International Convention Centre.

  • In photo: Gov Ayade in a meeting with President Buhari this afternoon

    President Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon, met with Governor of Cross River State, H.E. Ben Ayade in his office, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • UNFAO plays host to Dr Inyang Asibong, says it will strengthen partnership and upscale support in agriculture

    Earlier this week, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Nigeria – UNFAO in celebration of her 40 years of tenancy in Nigeria played host to the Honourable Commissioner for International Corporations and Donor Support, Cross River State, Dr. Mrs Inyang Asibong.

    The group in their evaluation says the  event will cascade development in the sub-national levels.

    This statement was made through the twitter handle of the @FAONigeria and it reads;

  • SUMMIT HILLS MD meets with Security Advisors in the State to enhance security around the neighborhood community

    SUMMIT HILLS MD meets with Security Advisors in the State to enhance security around the neighborhood community
    Summit Hills, a 367 hectare real estate development in Calabar, Cross River State,with exclusive features like the world class convention centre with over 5,000 sitting capacity, hotel, recreational facilities and golf course with clubhouse, nature reserve, hospital and a variety of residential units, have concluded plans on it’s security network system that extents it’s reach throughout the neighborhood communities.

    The Managing Director, Mr Joseph Edet ‘Lashakara’ has said after a close door meeting with the Security Advisers in the State, that Summit Hills with the new security components in play, the estate will become rank one of the safest abode in the country.
    Summit Hills is a new development area located in Calabar,
    Cross River State, Nigeria. This massive real estate development
    project was envisioned by the leader of Cross River State as a
    means to increase economic potentials of the state whilst
    building on its strengths.

    This development area is designed to create a unique, secure and idyllic grand neighbourhood, which blends in seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment. Summit Hills stretches 367 hectares, including a world class Convention
    centre, hotel, recreational facilities, Golf Course and Clubhouse, Nature Reserve, Specialist Hospital and a variety of
    Residential Units.

  • Cross River, American firm sign MoU for funding of Bakassi Deep Seaport, Superhighway

    Governor Ben Ayade (5th L), with CEO, Terradyn Corporation, Mr. Brent Dyke (3rd R) shortly after an MoU signing on the Construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport. Monday.

    Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade has stated that the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport will facilitate seamless maritime and shipping  activities within the African sub region when completed.
    The governor was speaking Monday at the Governor’s Conference Room, Governor’s Office, Calabar during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and Terradyn Corporation of Ohio, United States of America, for the financing of the port’s construction.
    Describing the port as a regional African port, and the deepest port in Africa, governor Ayade stressed that the Bakassi Deep Seaport was not only geared towards opening an alternative maritime corridor for Nigeria, which according to him, the country is in dire need of, but also designed to ease shipping and maritime difficulties of neighbouring landlocked African countries.
    He disclosed that the Republic of Chad was already disposed to having a bonded warehouse within the princint of the Bakassi Deep Sea port.
    The governor said that the 274 kilometre Superhighway linking Cross River to the Northern part of the country was conceived with the Bakassi Deep seaport in mind.
    His words: “If you have a Deep Seaport without a Superhighway, you are wasting your time. Nigeria basically needs an alternative maritime corridor. Nigeria is in dire need of an alternative maritime corridor. Every Nigerian who loves this country knows that Nigeria is in desperate need of of an alternative  maritime corridor to be able to provide the posterity agenda that we profess to our people.

    “Today in Nigeria, we don’t have a port in the category of a deep seaport. The Bakassi Deep Seaport is the first Deep Seaport in Nigeria. It is a 20 metres draft port, one of the biggest port in Africa.”
    He assured of his administration and federal government’s commitment to ensuring that the port comes to fruition.
    “It takes at least 15 years to obtain an OBC approval for the construction of a seaport but it took Cross River only three years. This shows strong will and commitment  by the federal government to support the Bakassi Deep Seaport.
    “The Bakassi Deep Seaport is not a Cross River Port. It is not a Nigerian port. It is indeed a regional African port. It will serve Africa.”
    Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terradyn, Mr.Brent Dyke commended governor Ayade’s foresight in conceptualizing the port project.
    He described Nigeria as ” a very very fortunate country blessed with abundant natural resources.”

  • FAD FM: We’ve never sought for Gov’t funding since inception – CEO

    By Obeten Godfrey

    The Chairman and CEO of FAD Group, Mr. Fidelis Duker, has said that his organisation, FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, has never sought government funding since its inception in 2017.

    Duker disclosed this at a media parley held last Thursday at the station’s headquarters in Calabar, to commemorate the organisation’s two-year anniversary.

    Duker who is also the Regional Secretary General, Federation of Pan African Filmmakers, said the station was not set up for government patronage, and that the organisation have been running independently since its inception and would continue to do so in the years to come.

    “This place was not set up for government patronage. We’ve gone past that stage. We’ve run this place independently, and we will continue to run the station independently.

    “FAD FM is owned by the people, the people have the right to talk. FAD FM does not belong to the owners, it’s owned by the public and we are open to supporting as many as possible to air their views.

    “This station was created for the people, it’s not for any individual, it’s not for any politician,” said Duker who is also the CEO of Abuja Film Festival.

    Continuing, the CEO said the emergence of the station has redefined broadcasting and has brought pride to the state.

    “FAD FM has brought pride to Cross River State, FAD FM has come and it’s doing its own bit, giving the people the mic to say their minds; and for me, I believe that is the platform that the people, Cross Riverians need to follow,” he reiterated.

    Throwing light on the economic patronage of the station in the last two years, Duker said: “We have never sought government funding since we started operation. I have never for once in the last two years influenced the editorial policy of FAD FM.”

    He went further to disclose that FAD 360 TV, a subsidiary of FAD Group will begin operations before the end of the year with its headquarters domiciled in Calabar.

    On the level of preparedness for the takeoff of the TV station, He said: “Television is so technical and cumbersome. For the TV we don’t want to rush into it. We are definitely starting this year. We want to make the quality and standard local but an international standard. Equipments are on the ground, we are building capacity. We need to train people to handle those equipment before we finally take off.”

    When asked whether the station has broken even throughout its two years of existence, Mr. Duker had this to say:

    “We have not broken even, not yet because no profit yet, we will! Our target is 5 years. we are not at a loss, and we are not regretting, For us, we have seen it; we have a bright future, and we will get to our destination in due course.”

    “That the station is a commercial station established for profit making, there are times the organisation looks for major issues that affect the society and the populace.

    He assured that the station will witness a new face as it lifts up towards the years to come.

    On what the future holds for the station, the Marketing Manager, Mrs. Temitokpe Duker said, “In the last 2 years, it has been pretty challenging, but we have persevered. We used to have problems paying salaries, but right now we have a plan – a master plan on how we take care of the bills.

    She attributed the success of the station to perseverance and value addition, a feat she said has sustained the station.

    “We have never put money in front of what we’re doing. If you provide value, the money will come. We are here to give value, we are here to serve the people, and we are unshaken in terms of survival.

    “This is the basement of the scene for FAD. In the next couple of months, our Lagos and Abuja stations will open, and in the next few years we will have physical offices in virtually every station,” Mrs Duker said.

    The station which began transmission in September 2017 will be marking it 2 years anniversary by September 1.

  • CRSHA Committee on Finance and Appropriation assures Cross Riverians of commitment to development

    The Cross River State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams has assured that the Committee is doing the needful in the budget review for a better Cross River State.

    Eteng said the upward or downward adjustment of the budget estimates by MDAs is to accommodate projects and programmes of interest to the state for development purposes.
    Presenting her Ministry’s projection in the 2016 revised budget estimate, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong, appeal to the State Assembly to intervene in the release of funds already approved by His Excellency the Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, to enable the gazetting of the 24 State Laws passed by the Assembly for public access.

    Mrs. Archibong affirmed that the State Printing press will be rehabilitated when the remaining consignment of equipment arrived from the Warf where there are being held, to enable its optimal performance and therefore called on the Assembly to uphold the Ministry’s request for an upward review of its budget estimate.

    The Commissioner commended the Committee and the entire State House of Assembly for their efforts and commitment towards ensuring the speedy review of the 2016 revised budget.