Paradise News

Category: Politics

  • Governor Ben Ayade Pays May Salary In Advance To Sets New Record

    “Even in the Bible, God commanded that we should get our wages after work. Even God rewards only the work we have done unless there is Grace; that is why God said, I will bless the work of your hands; so you have to work first before the blessing. We are in the age of grace under Governor Ayade. This is pure Grace. It is only under grace that you get paid when you have not worked. It is only workers that will understand this. Go and tell the rest of Nigeria that Cross River workers are under the period of grace because of governor Ayade.”

    -Madam Eunice Eyamhe

    That was the exclamation of Madam Eunice Eyamhe, a civil servant in Cross River state to this reporter in reaction to the payment of the salaries of civil servants for the month of May 2016 on the first day of the month.

    Reports from the venue of the May day celebration say, a mild drama immediately ensued when the workers who were at the U.J. Esuene Stadium for the May Day celebration each began to receive salary payment alert from their various banks.

    Unable to contain the excitement, shouts of ‘alert alert alert rent the stadium as the workers went into a frenzy, singing the praises of the governor.”

    Before now, the governor had paid salaries between the 13th and 20th day of each month.

    Ayade told the workers, who named him the Best Labor Friendly Governor in Nigeria, that his administration had a duty to give workers in the state a sense of dignity.

    Related Post: Adams Oshiomole increases minimum wage to N25,00

    “We must create opportunities for labor to feel a sense of dignity. If you are truly a Christian, you must know that as you care for your kids, you must care for labor,” he stated.

    He said this is because “no infrastructure is more important than labor, which is why in all my programs, I focus on people.”

    Urging Labor to keep faith with his administration while working in harmony to foster the growth of the state, the governor declared that no worker who has dully put in his honest labor will go unrewarded.

    He reasoned that “anybody who pulls down labor does not understand the philosophy of existentialism, hence the need for labor to come before infrastructure and skyscrapers.”

    Other packages the governor announced were the donation of a new Toyota coaster bus for labor, release of funds for the building of Labor house as well as the appointment of labor representative into the state executive council.

    Earlier, the organized labor, through the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC), Comrade John Ushie, had lent its support to the construction of the 260km Superhighway as well as other projects aimed at repositioning the economy of the state.

    Ushie also urged government to intervene in a number of areas, including the State Newspaper Corporation, which he said is in a dilapidated state.

    Culled from CrossRiverWatch

  • Adams Oshiomole increases minimum wage to N25,00

    We are still hoping when this new development will happen in Cross River State. 

    The former NLC president has broken another record again as he elevates the N18,000 minimum wage to N25,000 to keep the state running. What I think no Governor will do in the next 20years. He’s done it!

    Oshiomhole who made the announcement on Sunday at the grand finale of activities to mark the 2016 Workers Day, said that plans had also been concluded to pay staff of Egor Local Government Council who were being owned 13 months arrears of salary, within the next two weeks.

    Explaining why the council was omitted from the bailout to local government councils in 2015, he gave the assurance that the Edo Government had been meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria and that within the next two weeks, the funds would be released and staff of the council would be paid in full.

    Cool huh? Drop your comments below… Thanks.

  • Adams Oshiomole increases minimum wage to N25,00

    We are still hoping when this new development will happen in Cross River State. 

    The former NLC president has broken another record again as he elevates the N18,000 minimum wage to N25,000 to keep the state running. What I think no Governor will do in the next 20years. He’s done it!

    Oshiomhole who made the announcement on Sunday at the grand finale of activities to mark the 2016 Workers Day, said that plans had also been concluded to pay staff of Egor Local Government Council who were being owned 13 months arrears of salary, within the next two weeks.

    Explaining why the council was omitted from the bailout to local government councils in 2015, he gave the assurance that the Edo Government had been meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria and that within the next two weeks, the funds would be released and staff of the council would be paid in full.

    Cool huh? Drop your comments below… Thanks.

  • Obudu Chiefs – Ayade’s Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji Ordered Our Stripping And Beating By Mobile Police

    The State Security Adviser, SSA, to Governor Ben Ayade, Jude Ngaji, Tuesday in Calabar allegedly ordered the stripping and beating of two Obudu chiefs who honoured an invitation by the SSA to attend a security meeting in his office in Calabar.

    Chief Moses Odikpo, Chief Denis Ugani Ujie, both of Okworotung clan in Obudu local government area told newsmen that they honoured a radio announcement by the SSA to attend a meeting; an agenda was not included in the announcementwhile deliberations were going on, Ngaji then called on one of the staff in his office “Commander” and asked him to take them to their “shrine” and give them “the special treatment.”

    According to Chief Odikpo who is the Clan Head of Okworotung “We unsuspectingly followed them to the place just opposite the governor’s office where we were then asked to strip and after prolonged exchanges, we stripped and they use their bare hands on our heads, backs and chest, hitting us hard.”

    Chief Ugani who is aged said he even asked one of them if they were going to beat their father since he had children the age of the Mopol officer who replied him that he was not his father.

    When media personels contacted Mr. Jude Ngaji, the State Security Adviser, he denied knowledge of anyone been beaten or stripped.

    Mr. Ngaji however accepted that any of the chiefs who misbehaves and instigate crises in their domains will be dealt with and even asked to do more than frog jump.

    “To the best of my knowledge, no one was beaten or asked to do frog jump. We invited all the leaders that their people are fighting and made it clear to them that war has never and will never solve any problem. We had useful deliberations and we made it clear to them that government will hold them responsible if there is breakdown of law and order in their various communities.

    “After then, they were asked to go and write undertaking and they went and did that. I have no knowledge that anyone was beaten. However if any of the chiefs misbehaves and instigate crises in their domains, this government will not spare them. They will be held responsible and they will even do more than that frog jump.” He said.

    The chiefs have since returned to Obudu with CrossRiverWatch gathering that part of the discussions before the beatings centred on the Okworotung – Kutia crisis which is currently a legal matter before the Court.

    ~CrossRiverWatch

  • Obudu Chiefs – Ayade’s Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji Ordered Our Stripping And Beating By Mobile Police

    The State Security Adviser, SSA, to Governor Ben Ayade, Jude Ngaji, Tuesday in Calabar allegedly ordered the stripping and beating of two Obudu chiefs who honoured an invitation by the SSA to attend a security meeting in his office in Calabar.

    Chief Moses Odikpo, Chief Denis Ugani Ujie, both of Okworotung clan in Obudu local government area told newsmen that they honoured a radio announcement by the SSA to attend a meeting; an agenda was not included in the announcementwhile deliberations were going on, Ngaji then called on one of the staff in his office “Commander” and asked him to take them to their “shrine” and give them “the special treatment.”

    According to Chief Odikpo who is the Clan Head of Okworotung “We unsuspectingly followed them to the place just opposite the governor’s office where we were then asked to strip and after prolonged exchanges, we stripped and they use their bare hands on our heads, backs and chest, hitting us hard.”

    Chief Ugani who is aged said he even asked one of them if they were going to beat their father since he had children the age of the Mopol officer who replied him that he was not his father.

    When media personels contacted Mr. Jude Ngaji, the State Security Adviser, he denied knowledge of anyone been beaten or stripped.

    Mr. Ngaji however accepted that any of the chiefs who misbehaves and instigate crises in their domains will be dealt with and even asked to do more than frog jump.

    “To the best of my knowledge, no one was beaten or asked to do frog jump. We invited all the leaders that their people are fighting and made it clear to them that war has never and will never solve any problem. We had useful deliberations and we made it clear to them that government will hold them responsible if there is breakdown of law and order in their various communities.

    “After then, they were asked to go and write undertaking and they went and did that. I have no knowledge that anyone was beaten. However if any of the chiefs misbehaves and instigate crises in their domains, this government will not spare them. They will be held responsible and they will even do more than that frog jump.” He said.

    The chiefs have since returned to Obudu with CrossRiverWatch gathering that part of the discussions before the beatings centred on the Okworotung – Kutia crisis which is currently a legal matter before the Court.

    ~CrossRiverWatch

  • President Buhari Appoints Cross River’s Obono Obla Special Assistant On Prosecution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed yet another Cross Riverian, Barrister Okoi Obono Obla as his Special Assistant on Prosecution.

    In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir David Lawal, and also sighted by CrossRiverWatch, Chief Obla was informed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved his appointment as Special Assistant to the President (Prosecution), Federal Ministry of Justice with effect from 18th April 2016 on the Terms and Conditions of Service as contained in “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries & Allowances, etc.) (Amendment)Act 2008.”

    Obla’s appointment came along with that of other Specials Assistants that were also appointed by Mr. President including Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, Special Assistant to the President (Drugs and Narcotics), Federal Ministry of Justice and Mr Sylvester Imanhobe, Special Assistant to the President (Strategy/Research), Federal Ministry of Justice.

    In a reaction to his appointment, Chief Obla told newsmen that “I am humbled by my appointment and by the fact that the President considers me and my services worthy of serving this nation along with other Cross Riverians who have also been so appointed in sharp contrast to the dedication of Cross River state to the PDP for 16 years with practically little or nothing to show for it.

    Asked what was in the appointment for Cross River State, Obla said:

    “I will definitely use my contacts and network within our party, the APC and the Presidency to mobilize resources and projects that will be to the benefit of the state and see to it that many get empowered and uplifted by my position.”

    Chief Obla, a University of Jos Law graduate has been an ardent follower of President Buhari since the days of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and is also a one time governorship candidate of the party in the state and has held several positions within the party.

    ~CrossRiverWatch

  • President Buhari Appoints Cross River’s Obono Obla Special Assistant On Prosecution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed yet another Cross Riverian, Barrister Okoi Obono Obla as his Special Assistant on Prosecution.

    In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir David Lawal, and also sighted by CrossRiverWatch, Chief Obla was informed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved his appointment as Special Assistant to the President (Prosecution), Federal Ministry of Justice with effect from 18th April 2016 on the Terms and Conditions of Service as contained in “Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries & Allowances, etc.) (Amendment)Act 2008.”

    Obla’s appointment came along with that of other Specials Assistants that were also appointed by Mr. President including Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, Special Assistant to the President (Drugs and Narcotics), Federal Ministry of Justice and Mr Sylvester Imanhobe, Special Assistant to the President (Strategy/Research), Federal Ministry of Justice.

    In a reaction to his appointment, Chief Obla told newsmen that “I am humbled by my appointment and by the fact that the President considers me and my services worthy of serving this nation along with other Cross Riverians who have also been so appointed in sharp contrast to the dedication of Cross River state to the PDP for 16 years with practically little or nothing to show for it.

    Asked what was in the appointment for Cross River State, Obla said:

    “I will definitely use my contacts and network within our party, the APC and the Presidency to mobilize resources and projects that will be to the benefit of the state and see to it that many get empowered and uplifted by my position.”

    Chief Obla, a University of Jos Law graduate has been an ardent follower of President Buhari since the days of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and is also a one time governorship candidate of the party in the state and has held several positions within the party.

    ~CrossRiverWatch

  • Governor Ben Ayade Wants Foreign Contractors Paid In Naira

    Governor Ben Ayade made the recommendation when he received the Chairman and other members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream during a 3-day workshop in Calabar, the state capital.
    As part of effort grow the local economy, he said that it was by so doing that the emphasis on dollars would be less and the value for Naira better appreciated.
    The Governor pointed out that the activities in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, which allowed for the sale of crude oil in dollars while the dollar would not return to the CBN, was another issue that should be tackled under the Local Content Law.
    While noting that Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral deposits such as bitumen, gold, iron, among others, he stressed the need to convert these resources into foreign reserves in material terms and bring the Naira to increase its value.
    Governor Ben Ayade urged the Federal Government to take a deliberate policy and ensure full implementation of the Local Content Act, to strengthen the Naira.
    He also advised that all Liquefied Natural Gas shipment sales out of Nigeria be paid directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
    In an earlier statement, the Chairman of the visiting committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said that the choice of Calabar for the workshop was not misplaced.
    According to the lawmaker, Cross River State has over the years distinguished itself as the preferred destination in Nigeria because of its ambiance and serenity.
    ~Channels TV 

  • Governor Ben Ayade Wants Foreign Contractors Paid In Naira

    Governor Ben Ayade made the recommendation when he received the Chairman and other members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream during a 3-day workshop in Calabar, the state capital.
    As part of effort grow the local economy, he said that it was by so doing that the emphasis on dollars would be less and the value for Naira better appreciated.
    The Governor pointed out that the activities in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, which allowed for the sale of crude oil in dollars while the dollar would not return to the CBN, was another issue that should be tackled under the Local Content Law.
    While noting that Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral deposits such as bitumen, gold, iron, among others, he stressed the need to convert these resources into foreign reserves in material terms and bring the Naira to increase its value.
    Governor Ben Ayade urged the Federal Government to take a deliberate policy and ensure full implementation of the Local Content Act, to strengthen the Naira.
    He also advised that all Liquefied Natural Gas shipment sales out of Nigeria be paid directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
    In an earlier statement, the Chairman of the visiting committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said that the choice of Calabar for the workshop was not misplaced.
    According to the lawmaker, Cross River State has over the years distinguished itself as the preferred destination in Nigeria because of its ambiance and serenity.
    ~Channels TV 

  • FG Drags Cross River State To Court Over 260km Superhighway

    In a move that will take many aback, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has dragged the Cross River State Government to the Federal High Court in Calabar seeking an order to stop any further construction work on the proposed 260km superhighway without carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

    NESREA’s Counsel, Bola Braimoh-Tokura, in a suit number FHC/CA/CS/38/2016 alleged that the respondents, Cross River State Government, Cross River State Infrastructure Company Limited and Broad River Construction Company, violated extant environmental laws including the NESREA (establishment) Act, 2007, among others by commencing the construction of the road without any EIA report.

    The grounds for the Motion Ex Parte read in part, “The respondents commenced the project without duly following the Environmental Impact Assessment process, thereby destroying the ecosystem and seriously endangering the flora and fauna within the area.

    “The respondents by their actions violated extant environmental laws, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act, 2007, Environmental Impact Assessment Act Chap. E12 LFN 2004, and the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, S.I No. 19 of 2011.”

    The State Coordinator of NESREA, Angela Iwobi who deposed to an affidavit in support of the Motion Ex Parte, noted that the agency had on February 17, 2016 written a letter to the Cross River State Commissioner for Works demanding for the Environmental Impact Statement of the project, but the respondent failed to respond.

    “Based on failure to respond, the Minister wrote a letter on February 22 to Governor Ayade urging him to intervene, but further neglect prompted the Minister of Environment to issue stop-work-order on March 4.”

    It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari did the ground breaking for the Super highway on October 20, 2015 and promised to return to commission the road when it is completed.

    The ground breaking ceremony was postponed due to what stakeholders said was the absence of an environmental impact assessment for the project.

    But the Minister of Environment, Aisha Mohammed, said last week that a provisional impact assessment was given just to allow Mr. President to do the scheduled ground breaking and after then, the state government has failed to follow the due process and conduct the EIA leading to stoppage of work on the project.

    ~CrossRiverWatch