Paradise News

Tag: Cross River State

  • C’River: Workers laud Governor Otu’s 40,000 naira salary increment

    C’River: Workers laud Governor Otu’s 40,000 naira salary increment

    By Anthony Uwadiegwu

    Workers in Cross River State have expressed profound gratitude for the governor’s decision to pay N40,000 living wage to public and civil servants in the State.

    The government of Cross River State, under the leadership of Governor Bassey Out, has announced a 40,000 naira salary increment for state workers, in what many said is a commendable move.

    The announcement was made at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium during the International Workers’ Day celebrations in the state capital, Calabar.

    Baring their minds on the gesture, the workers who spoke in Calabar said it is a much-needed relief amidst the current economic challenges plaguing the country.

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    However, the workers who spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent in Calabar appealed to the Governor to make good his promise effective from this May payment.

    For Festus Eka, an employee of one of the state ministries, who expressed his appreciation, said the additional 10,000 naira would go a long way in addressing his family’s basic needs, such as food and utilities.

    “I have three children, and this increment will ensure that essentials like garri and noodles are no longer a burden,” Eka remarked.

    Similarly, Mrs. Magdalene Asuquo, a staff member of a state agency, emphasized the positive impact the salary increase will have on her family of four.

    “The 10,000 naira increment means a lot to us, especially now. It will significantly reduce the burden of buying food items, which have become increasingly expensive,” she said.

    Another state employee, Theressa Ogbeche, expressed her delight in witnessing this development while still in service and appealed  that the payment  should be effected in their May salary.

    “The governor’s people first agenda is evident, and this salary increment, coupled with the implementation of arrears and step increments, is a huge leap forward,” she stated.

    On his part, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, commended Governor Bassey Otu for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Cross River State workers.

    “A healthy workforce is a productive one, and the governor’s passion for civil servants is a testament to his desire for the state’s growth and development,” Ogbodum remarked.

    Our reporter learned that the workers’ unanimous praise for the governor’s actions underscores the significance of this decision, which has brought much-needed relief to the state’s workforce.

    The salary increment is seen as a tangible demonstration of the governor’s commitment to addressing the economic challenges faced by civil servants and ensuring their well-being.

  • Legal Aid: Foundation targets over 10 inmates of Calabar Correctional Centre

    Legal Aid: Foundation targets over 10 inmates of Calabar Correctional Centre

    By Christian Njoku

    Royal Ambassadors Family Enlightenment Foundation, (RAFEF), a Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO), has taken steps to assist some inmates of the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar with legal aid.

    This was disclosed by Mr Jonathan Okwudiri, Chairman, Board of Trustees of RAFEF on Monday in Calabar during the official inauguration Ceremony of Cross River Executive Working Committee of the foundation.

    Okwudiri who doubles as the Director General of the foundation said apart from there programmes to empower women and youths, they would be embarking on a project in Cross River to assist inmates in the state’s correctional centre with legal aid.

    According to him, “In Afikpo, we visited the Correctional Centre and got inmates who didn’t have representation and those who didn’t have money to pay for their bail after they were granted bail by the court.

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    “The legal team of this foundation went to work ensuring that applications were made to the court to see how we could assist about 12 of them with legal representation and bail payment.

    “We also did the same thing in Amawbia Correctional Centre in Awka where we equally picked 13 inmates to help secure there freedom; in Cross River, we will be doing the same in Afokang Correctional Centre,” he said.

    He said while ensuring that they empower over 1,000 women and youths in each of the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River, they have taught their members never to protest or fight against government adding that it resolved nothing.

    He said as a group, they had a system of getting positive results through negotiations, dialogue and consultations whenever there was conflict.

    He appealed to the members of the foundation in Cross River to uphold the watchwords of integrity, truth, trust, transparency and accountability, noting that with these virtues, they would excel.

    On his part, Dr. Moses Agboreyo Cross River Coordinator of the foundation said he would work to mobilise members of the foundation to get positive results and meet up with their aims and objectives of empowering people.

    Agboreyo who is also the South-South Zonal Director said the major challenge they faced was funding and mobilisation due to the vast and difficult terrain of Cross River but added that they were working to surmount these challenges and touch lives.

    (NAN)

  • CSOs Charge Otu on Quality Investment to Curb Waste Management Challenges

    CSOs Charge Otu on Quality Investment to Curb Waste Management Challenges

    Civil Society Organisations in Calabar under the MOCSSA project implemented by Green Concern for Development (GREENCODE) in partnership with Nigeria Situation Room with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), has called on the government of Cross River State to step up it’s game on the quality of waste management services it’s delivering to citizens of the state.

    Acknowledging the strides made by the present government in improving waste collection and disposal, the group through it’s policy brief released under the MoCCSA (Mobilising CSOs and Citizens for Social Accountability) project said it’s major borders on the effectiveness of current measures in waste management.

    It therefore called on the State government to increase investment in waste collection infrastructure, including the provision of more trucks and the enforcement of proper waste disposal protocols. Timely evacuation of waste from streets to designated dumpsites was also highlighted as crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

    Recommendations put forward by stakeholders emphasize the need for enhanced sensitization of the public and sanitation workers. Strategies include leveraging various media outlets, conducting in-school sensitization programs, and organizing training workshops to promote responsible waste management practices.

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    “As the urban population continues to surge in Cross River State, waste disposal and management have emerged as pressing concerns for both the government and residents. Despite various policies and efforts aimed at tackling the issue, solid waste continues to overrun streets, particularly during the rainy season, exacerbating flooding in Calabar Metropolis and other cities across the state,” the document reads in parts.

    To address issues of indiscriminate waste disposal, stakeholders advocate for the strategic placement of mini-sized dustbins along streets and the re-establishment of mobile sanitation courts with enforcement teams. Additionally, landlords, tenants, and business owners are urged to take responsibility for evacuating trash from gutters in front of their buildings regularly, with stiff penalties imposed for non-compliance.

    The policy brief, produced by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the MoCCSA Project, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, citizens, and stakeholders to tackle waste management challenges effectively. It calls for urgent action to implement the recommended strategies and ensure a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents of Cross River State.

    Presenting the Policy Brief at the closeout meeting of the projects where four other policy briefs on different sectors of the society were also presented, Comrade Edem Edem, National Coordinator of Green Concern for Development GREENCODE, informed that the project aimed at empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) and citizens to actively and objectively engage in governance and hold the government accountable. Through advocacy visits and capacity-building initiatives, adding that the project focused on promoting social accountability by equipping CSOs with advocacy skills and tools to facilitate citizen participation in policy discussions and ensure government responsiveness to the needs of grassroots communities.

    Edem noted that the project was closing with the launch of the 2023 4th quarter budget performance report, a Citizen’s Budget (a simplified version of the 2024 budget, and five policy briefs Water and Sanitation, Waste Management and Environment, Peace Building and Conflict Management, Fiscal Accountability and Open Government, Forest Degradation and Illegal Mining. Adding that these documents Which will be distributed to relevant stakeholders and the public in general is to both trigger the citizens to hold government accountable and trigger actions from government to solve citizens problems.

    These documents according to Edem, can be downloaded from the organisation’s website at www.greencodeng.org

  • CSED takes netball to Cross River State

    A two-day seminar on netball for P.E. Teachers in Cross River State was recently organised by the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Education. The basic netball training event took place on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2024 at the Table Tennis Hall of the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    This training is part of “Project 2027,” which is CSED Initiative’s quest to provide Nigerian school children and youths access to learn and play the game of netball in a safe space. Netball is the only sport in the world that is specifically designed for girls and women. CSED Initiative sees the game of netball as an important tool that could be used to promote the general health and well-being of the girl child, as well as empower them to blend sports with their academic pursuit.

    38 participants from various secondary schools in the state, as well as three Cameroonian refugees who represented the Cameroon community that is based in Adagom 1, Adagom 3, and Ukende Camps in Ogoja local government area. The training was facilitated by Edema Fuludu and Dr Grace Ataha, who were supported by Ifiok Inim (an Uyo-based secondary School P.E. Teacher). Dr Ping Osaji Nsagha of the Human Kinetic Department of the University of Calabar was one of the newly trained netball coaches. Two students of the University of Uyo, also benefitted from this free netball training that used a manual that was developed by Ambassador Mary Waya (a Netball Africa certified instructor). The trained netball coaches were provided with a free sports shirt that was donated by Lord’s Taverners (a UK-based charity).

    The newly trained coaches were taught the basics of the game, netball rules, applications of the rules, how to mark a netball court, the different netball positions, as well as the roles that are attached to these positions. Warming up, passing the ball, throwing the ball, the restriction of the movement of players in certain parts of the netball court, practicing how to throw the ball and how to score were also covered. This was then followed by a practice game between the new coaches who were divided into team blue and team purple.

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    Another important aspect of the training was the session on safeguarding which was presented by Dr Grace Ataha. The newly trained coaches were advised that students and athletes are entitled to take part in sports in a safe environment. Access to free online safeguarding training was later provided to the newly trained netball coaches.

    The Director of schools from the Ministry of Education Mrs. Okama U. Amos stated that she was very pleased to see an NGO that has passion for carrying out development and empowerment programmes that are targeted at the female gender, which was one of the reasons she approved the training course for P.E. Teachers in the state. She urged the participants to take advantage of the training and become reliable coaches in a sport that is being revived in Nigeria. Furthermore, she mentioned that she would work together with the Director of School Sports of the Ministry, Mr. Orlando Asuquo to monitor the use of the freely donated netball starter packs (a pair of netball rims/nets. finger-held whistles, two sets of netball training bibs, and netball balls) to the representatives of the participating schools.

    The Director of Sports of the State Sports Commission, Mr. Moses Ita also urged the participants to make good use of the knowledge gained during the training. Their post-training actions will lead to the development of the game of netball in the state.

    Mr. Moses Ita stated that netball will soon become a medal event in the National Sports Festival.

    Finally, Mr. Moses Ita mentioned that he was happy that a participant from the State Sports Commission was in attendance, and he promised to help spread the sport to schools in other local government areas that were not represented in this seminar.

  • C’River: TUC Commends Governor Otu’s Remarkable Achievements in 11 Months

    C’River: TUC Commends Governor Otu’s Remarkable Achievements in 11 Months

    ….Appreciates N40,000 salary increment

    By Anthony Uwadiegwu

    The Cross River State Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has lauded the state government under the leadership of Senator Prince Bassey Otu, the “people’s first Governor,” for its remarkable achievements within the first eleven months in office.

    The Congress used the opportunity  to call on Civil / public servants and indeed, the entire Cross Riverians to be patient and give governor Otu the chance to deliver dividends of democracy which he has already started.

    In a statement issued by the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, the TUC further commended the government for its efforts in rehabilitating and constructing roads within the Calabar Metropolis, improving street lighting as well as the beautification of the city capital and restoring traffic control lights.

    He also lauded the government for the proposed #40,000 salary increment, implementation of annual incremental steps, full implementation of 2014/2016 promotions, the Christmas and Easter bonuses paid to workers amongst others.

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    Comrade Ogbodum noted that he believes in the principles of appreciation even in a little thing in other to achieve bigger ones.

    The TUC Chairman however stressed the urgent need for the Cross River State Government to fulfill other obligations to civil/ public servants by promptly attending to workers welfare demands, particularly looking towards the direction of payment of gratuity.

    While also calling on workers to be dedicated and be punctual at their duty posts, Comrade Ogbodum said, this would erase the 5% productivity level of the work force as declared by His Excellency during his May Day address.

    “We must put in our best to achieve effective service delivery in all MDAs,” the TUC Chairman reiterated.

    He appealed  to the workers to be hopeful, as the Organised Labor continues their engagement with the government to secure a more favorable outcome. While also appealing to government to live up to its promises and promptly too, most importantly the commencement of the implementation of the new salary structure as announced.

    “As the Cross River State Government confronts the pressing issue of meeting the worker’s welfare demands promptly, the TUC’s appeal echoes the concerns of many civil and public servants who have been adversely affected by the economic downturn.

    “In doing so, they can demonstrate their commitment to upholding the well-being and fair treatment of their invaluable workforce, reaffirming their dedication to the people of Cross River State,” Ogbodum  stated.

  • C’River: IPAC is an advisory body, not an opposition – State Chairman

    C’River: IPAC is an advisory body, not an opposition – State Chairman

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Cross River, Engr. Edet Okon Effiom, has explained that IPAC is basically an advisory body, just as its name implies, and should not be erroneously viewed as purely opposition mechanism.

    This is moreso, because according to Engr. Effiom, IPAC is an umbrella body for both ruling and opposition parties in the country as clearly spelled out in the instrument establishing the body.

    The state chairman made this clarification in a statement on Saturday 4th May, 2024, against the backdrop of misrepresentations on social media where some individuals claimed that effective opposition was lacking in Cross River State, and had indirectly blamed IPAC for not leading the charge.

    According to the IPAC chief, “The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is the umbrella body of all the registered Political Parties in Nigeria. A platform for the promotion and sustenance of a free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful electoral environment in Nigeria.

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    “It promotes the conduct of political contests devoid of rancour and emphasizes the values of tolerance, sound conduct, a spirit of accommodation and teamwork in planning or organizing political competition with a view to strengthening and deepening the nation’s emerging democracy.”

    He continued, “The instrument of authority establishing the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is the Political Parties Code of Conduct, 2006, which was amended in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively as the nation’s Political Parties evolve to meet the demands of liberal democracy and good governance.”

    Effiom maintained that while IPAC was not primarily established as an opposition vehicle, the Council however frowned at anyone who derides the opposition parties in the state.

    He emphasized that “IPAC Cross River State is fully in support of the leadership style of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. So far we have not seen any reason to be against his governance because we have just one Cross River State which is our first interest to protect and ensure peace and stability that is necessary for development to thrive.

    “Talking about effective opposition, is it until the opposition parties take up arms against the government before they will acknowledge their effectiveness? Those pushing this narrative were in government before and no one heard them talking about effective opposition then. All we need in Cross River State at this moment is peace and tranquility to enable the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration deliver on its people first agenda, which resonates well with us at IPAC.

    “However, while we urge the opposition parties to be on their guard and call out the government of the day where it goes astray, we equally implore all well-meaning Cross Riverians to support this government to enable it succeed, because if the government fails, its failure will rub off on us all,” he said.

  • 2024 C’River Cocoa Allocation Unfair, Anti Otu-led Leadership – Angry Etung Youths Flare

    2024 C’River Cocoa Allocation Unfair, Anti Otu-led Leadership – Angry Etung Youths Flare

    As disagreement continues to surround the 2024 allocation of the Cross River State Cocoa Estate, Bendeghe-Ekiem youths are the latest among the landlord communities to call on Governor Bassey Otu to investigate the double-dealings, injustice and usurpations that characterized the just concluded exercise.

    Recall that youths in Agbokim and Etomi communities had taken to the streets in peaceful protests to air out their displeasure following the allocation.

    In another nonviolent demonstration, Bendeghe-Ekiem youths have described the Ebori Nku-led Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee high handed, for reserving the most viable cocoa plots for themselves, family members, politicians and highly placed people in the society, with a chunk of the most viable blocks alloted to big cocoa merchants whom are strangers; then shamelessly giving the moribund, good-for-nothing plots, which ought to be marked for regeneration, to the common people.

    The Committee was also accused of placing the A-list plots allocated to themselves and their cohorts in lesser categories in the selfish bid to pay smaller charges as government fees, and marking the moribund farms as ‘category A’ and making the common man pay on their behalves. These insubordination are against the present administration’s desire to take restive youths off the streets through meaningful agriculture, with state cocoa estate as the pivot for Etung and its neighbouring local government areas. It is starkly in contrast and logically incongruous to the ‘People First’ agenda of the Governor Bassey Otu-led leadership.

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    Listening to the leader of the protesting youths in Bendeghe-Ekiem, simple referred to as ‘Zeal,’ their demands were simply for government to revisit the allocation process and make sure that it aligned with its agenda of making the common Cross River youths, especially in the landlord communities engage in the profitable venture of cocoa farming, against the restive nature they have been hitherto been notorious for.

    The livid Bendeghe-Ekiem youths particularly blamed their representative in the Committee, Amba Ogar, who is the Secretary, for playing a subservient role against the vast majority of members his community for some selfish, self-serving, sinister and politically motivated reasons. They rued the unfortunate development where the beneficiary of the appointment made no significant contributions before, during and after the electioneering and eventual emergence of the Otu-led administration, little wonder he (the Secretary) boasts of buying the said appointment.

    Several Stakeholders and opinion leaders in Etung have also lent their voices, calling on government to listen to the yearnings, hue and  cries of the Cocoa landlord communities of Etung, noting that, should same youths agitating for inclusion through the cocoa estate be left unattended to, then the end result would be a security situation where those in the allocated cocoa plots may likely not be able to gainfully possess those farms because of intrusion from aggrieved youths. Such situation, if left unabated, could spell a lose-lose for both government and the local micro economy of the people, which is largely driven by cocoa business in the area.

    If the present administration must live to its truly ‘People First’ mantra, then the demands of the majority of Etung youths should be treated with utmost urgency, for “no oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of authority.”

  • Cross River State Commissioner at NDDC Commemorates International Workers’ Day

    Cross River State Commissioner at NDDC Commemorates International Workers’ Day

    As the world celebrates International Workers’ Day, Cross River state Commissioner representing the state at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Duke, extends warm regards and heartfelt appreciation to all workers in Cross River.

    In a statement released today, Commissioner Duke acknowledged the invaluable contributions of workers to the socio-economic development of Cross River State and the Niger Delta region. He emphasized the significance of their dedication, hard work, and resilience, particularly in the face of challenges.

    “International Workers’ Day is a time to recognize and honor the commitment of workers across various sectors,” said Commissioner Duke. “Their unwavering dedication drives progress and prosperity in our state and beyond.”

    Commissioner Duke reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and well-being of workers, ensuring fair labor practices, and creating conducive working environments conducive for all.

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    “I commend the resilience of workers in Cross River State, especially in these trying times. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and I assure you of our unwavering support,” added Commissioner Duke.

    As Cross River State and the region continues on its path of growth and development, Commissioner Duke urged workers to remain steadfast in their endeavors, contributing their quota to the overall advancement of the state and the nation at large.

    On this International Workers’ Day, Commissioner Duke extends his best wishes to all workers in Cross River State, celebrating their dedication, passion, and invaluable contributions to society.

  • Brace up for heavy rainfall, strong winds, NiMET warns Cross River, other states

    Brace up for heavy rainfall, strong winds, NiMET warns Cross River, other states

     

    By Kelvin Obambon

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned Cross River and several other states to brace up for moderate to heavy rainfall and strong winds that could come in the next three days, starting from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd May, 2024.

    According to NiMET, heavy rainfall is expected from the early hours of Wednesday in parts of Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Niger, Ogun, Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory and Zamfara state. Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated over the rest of the country.

    “During the forecast period, long hours of accumulated rainfall is very likely,” the agency added, warning the extremely heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding, riverine flooding, soil erosion, thunder and lightning, and strong winds.

    It also stated that strong winds could accompany the rains over parts of Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Kogi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Niger, Ogun, Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory and Zamfara states.

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    Therefore, the public is advised not to drive through surface runoff waters, as they have strong undercurrents.

    Other likely hazards include slippery road surfaces and reduced visibility during the rain which can disrupt road traffic.

    NiMet advised the public to disconnect electrical appliances before and not during the rains.

  • Calabar Port Manager refutes alleged drought of container vessels

    Calabar Port Manager refutes alleged drought of container vessels

    By Christian Njoku

    Mr Olumati Festus, Calabar Port Manager has debunked the statement credited to him in some media publications that the Calabar Port has not received container vessels in the last 25 years.

    Festus made the refutation on Saturday in an interview with journalists in Calabar.

    He said on October 22, 2020, the Port received a container vessel called UML Veronica and has received several project cargoes that came with containers.

    The Port Manager said they were also seriously working with huge liner vessels to come and pick cocoa products from Calabar Port.

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    “We have held meetings with Cocoa Producers Association, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, and the Ministry of Commerce in the state to harmonized the process for the products to be shipped from Calabar Port.

    “We are currently appealing for the Calabar Port channel to be dredged to about nine mitres to allow bigger vessels come into the port but whether this is done or not we are working hard to attract more container vessels that are flat bottom,” he said.