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Tag: Elvert Ayambem

  • C’River enacts law compelling LGAs to remit 4% of monthly FAAC revenue to state agency

    C’River enacts law compelling LGAs to remit 4% of monthly FAAC revenue to state agency

    Governor Bassey Edet Otu has assented to the Cross River State Road Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Law, 2025.

    The law, according to Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, introduces a new funding mechanism requiring each of the 18 local government councils to allocate 4% of their monthly Federation Account receipts to the agency. This, he said, will guarantee steady road repairs and maintenance throughout the state.

    Two other laws, the Cross River State Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law, 2025, and the Cross River State Senior Citizens Centre Law, 2025 were also assented to by the Governor.

    Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Otu described the legislation as timely and strategic, emphasizing their alignment with his government’s development priorities.

    “These laws are coming at the right time, and I would like to appreciate the Speaker of the House and the entire Assembly members for their good work,” the governor stated.

    “The Road Maintenance Agency Law ensures that our roads are constantly maintained and prioritized. The Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law is important because, without regulation, we’re losing potential revenue. As for the Senior Citizens Centre, it is a crucial part of our welfarist policy. We are a people-first government, and we prioritize everyone,” he said.

    On the Senior Citizens Centre Law, the Assembly Speaker explained that the legislation seeks to establish a central facility in each of the three senatorial districts, starting in the state capital, Calabar, to serve the needs of vulnerable retirees and the aged. Subsequently, sub-centres will be put in place in each local government headquarters to support vulnerable elderly residents. “This law underscores the governor’s welfarist vision,” Ayambem said.

    On the Lotteries and Gaming Agency Law, the Speaker noted that the legislation is in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling empowering states to regulate gaming activities. The law, which comprises 12 parts, 102 sections, and two schedules, creates a framework for managing, licensing, and generating revenue from the gaming sector in Cross River.

    Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to reforms that directly impact the lives of residents, stressing that these laws mark a step forward in infrastructure renewal, economic management, and social inclusion.

  • Speaker Ayambem doles out N3million for construction of Etikpe Inland Road in Ikom

    Speaker Ayambem doles out N3million for construction of Etikpe Inland Road in Ikom

    In line with Gov. Otu’s People First Agenda and a bid to improve business activities and boost economic development in Ikom 2 state constituency, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, injected a huge start-up-fund of three million naira (N3million) for the commencement of Etikpe-Inland (Etikpe-Nwole) road.

    The donation was made during an engagement that spiraled interminable discussions with some major stakeholders and leaders of Abanyom ward led by the multifaceted business mogul and CEO of Namgbe Classy, Mr. Smart Namgbe, who paid him a visit in his house in Nde to celebrate his parents marriage blessing, yesterday.

    Speaker Ayambem who joyfully hosted, appreciated the people of Abanyom for their continuous show of love and maximum support, while reiterating his commitment to the development and prosperity of the people.

    He stated that the Etikpe-Nwole road has now become too important to ignore because it is a shorter route to Boki through Nsadep, most importantly, it connects more than eight economically rich and potent communities in Abanyom. The Etikpe-Nwole road enables the major transport of timber, cocoa, yams, plantain, banana and other agricultural produce. He insisted that business cannot thrive if products cannot find it’s way to the buyer and that the essence of asphalting access roads cannot be overemphasized.

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    Speaker Ayambem urged them to anticipate more projects from his end, adding that his commitment to quality representation is unwavering.

    He further assured them that Gov. Otu’s administration is extremely poised, dedicated and totally committed to rural development. He sighted the recent list of approved communities for electrification by the Governor as a considerable evidence that Gov. Otu is out to convey unmatched development to every community in the Cross River State.

    He boasted of Gov. Otu’s passion to revolutionize and rejig Ikom, to rebuild it into an economic focal point of Cross River State. He added that constructing the Etikpe-Nwole road will graciously position Abanyom and plug the entire Ikom 2 to the overwhelming economic prospects of the new Ikom.

    Mr. Smart Namgbe appreciated speaker Ayambem, while registering his excitement at the development, reaffirmed his support to the All Progressive Congress [APC] and to the People First administration of Gov. Otu. He asked the speaker to convey a message to Gov. Otu, informing him that the people of Abanyom are totally deovated and already working for his reelection in 2027.

    Also part of the team was Mr. Maurice Ndome, the Vice Chairman of Ikom local government area.