Pillar Today

  • Gov Otu Working as if His Tenure is Ending Tomorrow – HRM Etinyin Edet

    Gov Otu Working as if His Tenure is Ending Tomorrow – HRM Etinyin Edet

    HRM (Dr) Etim Okon Edet is the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and doubles as the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi local government area. In this interview, the Royal father poured encomium on Governor Bassey Otu for his stellar performance within one year but advised the Governor not to listen to gossips if he must sustain the tempo. Excerpts:

    Gov Bassey Otu is celebrating his one year in office on May 29, 2024. Do you think he has done well to warrant the celebration?

    As you know, Governor Otu, popularly known as ‘Sweet Prince’ has performed above expectation. I don’t know who gave him the ‘Peoples First’ mantra and I think he is trying to put the mantra into effective use. He is improving on and building on the foundation laid by former Governor Ben Ayade’s legacy. The steps he has taken so far about the deep seaport points to that fact he is cementing the foundation laid by Ayade.

    Gov Otu’s focus in one year is quite clear, and that is urban renewal. Look at our urban centres now wearing a new look. Work is going on everywhere as if somebody is going die or as if there will be no tomorrow. That is how a man of focus and integrity should work and that is what I like. He has done exceptionally well.

    On the 29th,  the Traditional Rulers Council will also mark his first year in office with special programme tagged ‘Thou Excelleth Them All.’ We shall talk to the press and do documentaries on the Governor. As we speak, our team are busy capturing the Governor’s strides across the State.

    The State Council of Chiefs will invite him to come and address us even if it is for fifteen minutes and we shall use the occasion to tell him a few things that we feel should be strengthened.

    It is good to do good. He was not up to twenty days in office when I approached him to appeal that the Council of Chiefs chambers be put in place, and he didn’t object. Today the State Executive Council is having its meetings there.

    if you go there today, you will see a sound proof 50kva generator, the air condition units are all working, the public address system is there, in fact, everything is there. With the renovation work that is going on in his office, he needed to use a place that would accommodate his officials and because Council of Chiefs office has been put in order, Sweet Prince is having his EXCO meeting there.

    The Governor is a visionary leader like myself. I make bold to say that I am a visionary leader. Some people want to be Chairman of State Traditional Council not knowing the position is beyond the boundaries of Cross River State.

    Just this morning, the Sultan of Sokoto called. He usually addresses me as ‘Bakassi,’ since I am the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi too. That seat does not need a local person. Our traditional rulers must not be stupid people who are illiterates. I will not support anybody that is illiterate to be a Paramount Ruler or Clan Head because the moment you become a Clan Head, there is a tendency for you to become a Paramount Ruler.

    People are just talking anyhow, and I’ve kept quiet. I don’t want to talk. I am the face of this state outside and as Paramount ruler of Bakassi, I keep the Bakassi question alive everywhere I travel to. The moment I am no more, Bakassi will not be remembered again so I am the face of Bakassi, face of Cross River, but people do not understand.

    Governor Otu has the capacity. Since the day he was elected, I knew he will perform considering his track record in the past. I know nobody is perfect but so far for this one year he is working as if everybody is going to die, as if his tenure is ending tomorrow.

    As you have rightly observed, nobody is perfect and so as a father what advice would you give to him to take his performance index higher?
    Otu should not listen to gossips. That’s what Ayade did not do. When you tell him something, he would analyze it, and he had to listen to his attorney general and those who are to advise him.

    There are greedy and very bad advisers around who are only looking for their pockets and so as a governor he should be able to detect. Some of these bad advisers do not want another person to come near the Governor

    He should not listen to gossips and should pray very hard to the God of his fathers to help him to go ahead with what he is doing without listening to gossips and he should seek to stand for the oath he took to defend the constitution and all other laws. He should obey court orders too and govern by the rule of law to make him a darling of the judiciary

    As he has started well, he should endeavour to run a government of the people for the people and not a necessarily, government of APC for the APC people. The Governor will succeed more if he considers himself Governor of all Cross River people and not of political party. There are many good people around in other political parties, he should use them just as President Bola Tinubu is trying to do at the centre for instance the appointment of Nyesom Wike As FCT Minister.

    You said you want Governor to strengthen some things when he visits your Chambers on May 29. What are those things you want to tell the Governor to strengthen?

    There are so many things that should be done in the traditional council and does not end with the renovation there are still quite a number of things for instance, he has to lift the traditional rulers of the State to be at par with their counterparts in other States. The difference between us and our counterparts is clear when you travel out for meetings.

    If you enter their palaces, you’ll begin to wonder whether the palace is a presidential villa. This is done by their state government. The truth is that there is no palace in the whole of Cross River State. It is always shameful for people to come to Cross River and all they see as palaces are our individual efforts. Those are part of the things we will talk to the Governor on.

    The traditional rulers are the owners of the state, any government that will raise the spirit of traditional rulers has raised the spirit of government. You may not understand but this is the truth. Let him raise our spirit and provide the physical support.

    Is the issue of Bakassi dead finally?
    The recovery of Bakassi into Nigeria is not possible again but the resettlement is that which has not been done and which Otu should pursue to a logical conclusion.

     

  • Gov Otu is Nigeria’s New ‘Mr Projects’, says Works Commissioner

    Gov Otu is Nigeria’s New ‘Mr Projects’, says Works Commissioner

    Hon Pius Edet is the Honourable Commissioner for works and infrastructure in Cross River State. In this brief interview, he scored Gov Otu high on infrastructural development and called on Cross Riverians to lend their full support to the Governor to encourage him to deliver the long-anticipated dividends of democracy. Excerpts:

    Q: Paucity of funds was the reason intracity roads, especially in Calabar, the State capital, was unattended to. Where did your government have the funds to do all the interventions, we are seeing going on today?Life is all about creativity. What you’re seeing is the creation and prudent management of what we have. We deploy the resources available to priority areas to the benefit of all Cross Riverians.

    Q: Can you tell us specifically the area of your core intervention?
    We’ve done a lot of interventions in Calabar, which is the State capital, some parts in Central and Northern Senatorial District. We are doing what you are bearing witness of because the government of Senator Prince Bassey Otu is focused and determined to give infrastructure to the people of Cross River state. We are not deviating from the People First focus.

    This focus is propelling us to do more. This is because of the massive votes the people gave to us during the last election. Prior to the election day, we had given them series of promises on how we want to transform Cross River state. The people had confidence in us and supported us, so you don’t expect us to do less because this government is a talk and do government. We are known for integrity.

    We have done a lot in terms of infrastructure. In the south a lot of work is ongoing. In Nyong Edem Street, for instance, we’ve done concrete road which was borrowed from Ebonyi state when the minister for works, David Umahi, was Governor there. I can tell you that what Cross River state government has done in Nyong Edem will stand the test of time.

    We did that because we belong to the mangrove forest and we are characterize by heavy downpour and as you know, asphalt is a great enemy of water, that’s why we encourage concrete technology.

    We have the raw materials here; the price of bitumen is determined by the rising price of dollars and as such we felt that the best thing to do is to implement the concrete technology because we have the materials to produce the concrete which is the stone and limestone here in Akamkpa. That’s because we don’t want to be likened to state or country who consume what they don’t produce and produce what they don’t consume.

    Having done that, the Honourable Minister for works was here and was happy, he encouraged the Governor to ensure that this is replicated in every part of the state and the governor gave assurance that he was going to do same, which is why soon after we finished at Nyong Edem we moved to Efio-Ette roundabout where the same concrete technology was replicated and I can assure you that the concrete pavement will last for 50 years.

    We also awarded contracts for rehabilitation of roads within Calabar metropolis and it was awarded to two contractors including Faithplant Global Services Limited owned by a son of the soil from Akamkpa LGA. He passed through the procurement processes and emerged as the most qualified to handle that project. I want to say here that he has done incredibly well and he has not disappointed us. A lot of streets in Calabar have been fixed by the company.

    Time will not permit me to mention one by one the numbers of road that we’ve done interventions. It runs into hundreds and that’s deliberate because we want to give particularly Calabar a facelift because when the head is rotten the entire body is rotten, Calabar is the capital of Cross River state therefore anything that affects Calabar affect the entire state. All the entries to this state are in Calabar, the water ways, the Air and land routes, so whatever people see in Calabar is what they take home.

    Recently we did something that will touch the minds of people, the construction of Adiabo-Ikoneto road which was initiated during the military era. Since that time till now there have not been any administration that deem it necessary to put one shovel of sand on that road but the government of Prince Bassey Otu didn’t look at it as a federal project rather he saw it as a project that will give economic boost to Cross River state and that’s why the State Executive Council approved its reconstruction, having done all the procurement and contractors have gone back to site and very tedious work is ongoing.

    We carefully choose the contractor, we watched his track record knowing that the contract was awarded a long time ago, so he has to understand the terrain, we believe he will do us proud.

    The pendulum of infrastructure development has also moved to the Central Senatorial District. Right now, we are in Ikom, we are doing the Sweet Mother road, Etome road, I think about 6 to 7 roads are witnessing ongoing renovations.

    We didn’t just stop there at Ikom, we are doing roads in Ugep. About 6 to 7 roads, because Ugep is a cosmopolitan city. We have also moved to the Northern Senatorial District so that everyone will feel the impact of this infrastructural drive concurrently.

    We have awarded contract for the construction of road particularly in Ogoja LGA, and again, we moved to Yala LGA and award the contract of Akriya road and bridge that was abandoned by the past government.

    We also went to the road called Wanakande otherwise known as Ukelle road, that road has been awarded and contractors are on site. That is to say that the three Senatorial District is presently feeling the impact of the season of sweetness and this is deliberate because the people of Cross River state jointly voted for us because they believe in rotation of power so that the political permutations of Cross River state will not be truncated.

    The budget we did was a very sizable budget termed “The People’s First” budget. It was targeted at improving the condition of living of the people. You know the budget is made up of revenue allocation of the state and FAAC, that’s why everything we are doing we are very careful in managing resources. Where the money comes from for all this project is centered on managerial efficiency.

    If you look at the parliamentary extension axis in Calabar, it is wearing a new look courtesy of this administration, so I can tell you that we’re going somewhere. The infrastructural decay in our dear state is gradually going off.

    I’m using this opportunity to encourage those who want to come and invest in our State during the carnival that they’re coming to see something different that wasn’t there in the last carnival. Until infrastructures are attractive, they carnival won’t make sense. Development is the commitment of human to make the environment attractive and that’s what we’re doing.

    In a nutshell, in Calabar, we have intervened in Ekpo Abasi road, New Airport road, rehabilitated Eta Agbor road, all the roundabouts in the State capital have a facelift, rehabilitated the Jebs road, Anantigha, Atamunu street, Uwanse, Edem Edem, Orok Orok, Douglas, Atekong, Bishop Monarch Street, Cecilia Ekpeyong street, Hawkins road, Marian road, Essien Town, Ediba, Spring road, Old Odukpani road, Okoroagbor, Omar Street, Akpanika street, Azikiwe street, Abasi Edem street, Yellow Duke is ongoing and many others just within one year.

    Yellow Duke has a mini bridge, we are putting up a new bridge that all the debris that pass in channel one will have no course to stand because that’s what has been causing the total overflow in that place. We are expecting that on the 29th May, that bridge will be completed for commissioning but if that does not happen, it won’t be more than one week before it is commissioned.

    The governor has also refurbished dilapidated structures. The Governor’s Office is near completion, Deputy Governor’s lodge, Speaker’s lodge, Deputy Speaker’s lodge, Ikot Eneobong Police Station, CICC has been renovated and is now hosting events, we have awarded contracts for the State Library. These projects and many others that I have not mentioned have caused our Governor to be nicknamed ‘The New Mr. Project of Nigeria.’

    Q: Can you tell us the estimates of how much has been committed to these numerous projects?I think that question should be directed to the commissioner for finance because I am the commissioner for works and I am to work, monitor the projects, supervise them and make sure that every contractor that receives our money is doing according to what is stated in the agreement.

    Q: How long will it take you to complete the Adiabo-Ikoneto road?

    A: For us, we have estimated 18 months but we can’t tell because as human you can propose and you don’t know other environmental factors that may come in to hinder all that you’ve projected.

    Q: What message do you have for some Cross Riverians who have actually not keyed in to what His Excellency is doing?

    A: The first advice is that they should appreciate God for giving them a righteous man to be in office in a moment like this. The Bible says ‘When the righteous rule, the people rejoice’. The man who is the Governor today is not a governor for APC. This administration is not propelled by partisan politics, it is a government for all political parties and all Cross Riverians.

    Gov Bassey Edet Otu may have been given a ticket in a party called APC, but we should understand that a political party is only a vehicle that drives someone to his destination. He is like a man who climbs a tree full of ripe mango, he will not be able to eat the mango alone, in fact, his weight alone on the mango will make all the ripe mangoes to fall and everyone will eat, that’s to tell you that he is a Governor for all.

    So, I urge all Cross Riverians to support him. Everyone should come on board with ideas that will make us to be proud of our State. No man is an island of knowledge nor reservoir of wisdom. Let ideas be shared, bring it on the table so that we can jointly develop Cross River state.

    For those that our projects have reached their axis, congratulations to you, and for those that are yet to benefit from the Governor’s big heart, please be patience, I can assure you that the government of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is like a movement, it will definitely move and get to your destination and you’ll feel the impact of this government.

    For Cross Riverians outside the state, please look for ways to bring development into your State because we want to be one of those States contending in terms development, let people see us as a developed State and we must be creative too because it is only creativity that can make us become a developed State.

  • One Year in Office: Cross Riverians Score Otu High

    One Year in Office: Cross Riverians Score Otu High

    By Ekanem Whyte/Emmanuela Ezin
    The proverbial journey of a thousand miles starting with one step aptly describes the generally acclaimed effort of Governor Bassey Otu to restore the battered socio-economic image of Cross River State within one year in line with the pact he entered into with the people when he took the oath of office on May 29, 2023.

    Notable politicians, community leaders, market women and students of higher institutions, who PillarToday interviewed, unanimously agreed that the Governor has performed above their highest expectation in just one year.
    Speaking, a community leader, Chief Lawrence Duke of Efut Akwa Ikot Ekpe community in Calabar south local government area, said “looking back to where we were a year ago and now, the Governor deserves kudos for taking bold steps to restore the people’s hope and confidence in the act of governance within a short period of just 365 days.”

    Chief Duke lauded the Governor for the construction of intra-city Streets including the abandoned Clarks Alley Street, off the popular Watt market roundabout, pointing out that the street is one of the oldest streets in Calabar that has never been asphalted right from time.

    He expressed delight that “these days one hardly finds anyone covering his nose while walking pass a refuse bin as was the case before the present administration came on board. That the Governor declared war on potholes in our major roads in the metropolis, which became our lots in during the last administration, is historic”

    Speaking also, an Ikom-based lawyer, Barr Alphonsus Nzie, said “The fundamental obligation of government as enshrined in section 14 (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended, states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

    “Governor Prince Bassey Otu has always kept this provision of the constitution a front burner in the course of governance since he assumed office as Governor of Cross River State in May, 2023.

    “When the streets are swept clean and are glowing with street lights at night, and cars can drive smoothly on the roads, and salaries are being paid promptly, and there is relative law and order, no harassments by area boys, kidnapping is at its lowest level, there is no doubt that there is a steady hand on the wheels.

    “With all these, certainly Cross River State is being recovered, its glory is being restored and our hope as Cross River citizens is being regained. Kudos, to the people’s governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu.”

    ”In his submission, a prominent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Emmanuel Bassey of ward nine in Calabar South LGA, said irrespective of party affiliation, he is satisfied with what he has seen so far, especially with the restoration of street lights and traffic lights at major road junctions.

    Chief Bassey said with the construction of the deep gully at Yellow Duke street, which posed a serious threat to the inhabitants of the area, “the Governor has demonstrated that he is in touch with the yearnings of the people.”
    Students are not left out in the encomium pouring. Speaking, a 300 level student of the University of Cross River, (UniCross) Mr Ndifon Ayuk, who also bared his mind on the Governor’s scorecard for the past one year, said, “the level of infrastructural development projects being simultaneously executed across the three senatorial districts is a thing of joy to the people.”

    He noted that “the Governor has justified the upholding of the sacred power rotational policy which resonated during the last elections as a back to south agenda.”

    Mr Ayuk quoted from the classics of an age long popular political philosopher Machiavelli, as he described the Governor as a politician who is influenced by the dictates of the philosopher who stipulated that ‘a prudent man must follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding.’

    He however appealed to the Governor to extend democratic dividends of the era of sweetness to the payment of bursary to enable indigent students find succour in the light of high cost of daily living.

    In her reaction, a market women leader at Watt market, Madam Grace Effiong Ekpe was full of praise for the Governor but wanted him to intervene in the area of high cost of transportation fares which she noted is responsible for high cost of basic food items in the market on a daily basis.

    She explained that the cost of transporting food items from the hinterland, most of the time from the northern part of the state, due to the high cost of petroleum products, is responsible for the daily increase in the prices of food stuff.

    “The only way to solve the problem is for the State government to introduce public mass transit buses to cushion the effect of removal of subsidy. But the truth is Governor Out has become our rescuer,” she stated.

    Troubled Market Women Send SOS over Multiple Levies, Harassment
    The strides notwithstanding, our reporters gathered that the season of sweetness seems not to be the lot of many market women due to harassment, multiple levies and seizure of their wares by people who claim to be ‘agents’ of government.

    Speaking with our reporters, they unanimously called on the Governor to come to their help, and described their experience in the hands of Shylock ‘agents’ as hellish.

    Recall that in 2015, the government of Cross River State came up with a policy aimed at providing tax rebates to the poor and vulnerable. To further consolidate this policy, the Cross River Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS) issued a public statement regarding tax exemption Law No.13.

    The law excludes from paying tax all persons whose monthly income is below N50,000, including petty traders, wheelbarrow pushers, taxi drivers, and other similar categories of workers.

    To demonstrate its commitment to this policy, the state government established an agency called ‘Anti-Tax Agency’ to enforce the tax legislation.

    However, despite these efforts, multiple taxation in the guise of ‘market levy’ is still on the rise in several markets across the State with the poor market women daily shedding tears of frustrations as they contend with being harassed and intimidated by ‘agents.’

    Our reporter learnt that the level of extortion under the guise of market tolls and taxation has pushed many women out of their petty businesses.

    Latest findings indicated that due to severe warning and threat from government, some markets, from January, reduced their levies to a maximum of N500 daily but even at that, analysts said the levy is on the high side considering the quantity and value of wares most of these women go to market with.

    The local government councils claimed they collect N50 daily while taxing N200 weekly. Contrary to that claim, our investigation – based on interviews and receipts/tickets cited by this reporter – revealed that traders still pay at least N200 daily and N500 on Saturdays. This amount could be collected by many groups daily, some without any form of receipt.

    Narrating her ordeal, a petty trader, Blessing Ekpenyong said, “I usually take my goods on credit and pay after selling them. And when I don’t sell as much as expected, the ‘matching ground’ collectors keep coming. Sometimes we don’t even meet our target after paying for tickets.

    “Before now, we used to pay up to N700 daily, and on Saturdays, we paid up to N1,600 to different groups but since January, we started paying N200 daily while on Saturdays, we pay N500.”

    In Ikom and Akpabuyo, the situation is similar to what traders are experiencing in other markets, though slightly different in the pattern of collection.

    Frustrated by the multiple levies, Mama Ayu, a palm fruit seller in Ikom main market said, “If you don’t pay, they snatch your goods and, in the process, destroy some. They take it to their office and before you get it back; they ask you to pay N5,000 for bail.

    “The other day, I came with just N2,000 worth of palm fruits to sell, as usual, they came to collect money for the ticket, I begged the woman to allow me for that day and pay the next day, but the ticket officer refused, carried my palm fruits and my daughter’s umbrella, I couldn’t raise N5,000 to collect goods of N2,000, that was how I lost that money.”

    In Okonoyom Market in Akpabuyo, 17-year-old Etido Peter hawks vegetables called Editan in Efik language in a transparent container. She moved in with her grandmother and two siblings when they lost their parents in a ghastly motor accident two years ago. Her grandmother prepares the leaves every market day for her to hawk.

    “Before now, thugs used to harass traders in this market but now, the market is calm since the new government of Prince Otu came on board but we are not totally free. The only thing we have here is people that collect N100 for tickets daily, but the ticket collectors still intimidate and harass you when you don’t pay on time,” the teenager said.

    All the petty traders who spoke with PillarToday ended their interviews with a call to the Governor to intervene especially as the poorest of the poor were the victims.

    Speaking, Mma Theresa, who hawks fresh pepper and tomatoes by Calabar road side of the Watt market said “Our Sweet Prince should help us. Let him set up a tax force to stop the madness.

    “We are not refusing to pay levies but they are multiple and high considering the small things we sell to keep body and souls together. Most times, the collectors would harass and threatened if you delay”

    It is believed that these anomalies, when tackled frontally, would allow everyone to be beneficiary of the season of sweetness and it is only then would the infrastructural interventions of the Prince Bassey Otu-led administration become more meaningful.

  • N36b Oando CSR: C/River Communities, Contractors Raise Alarm Over Waltz Ltd Alleged N50m Fraud 

    N36b Oando CSR: C/River Communities, Contractors Raise Alarm Over Waltz Ltd Alleged N50m Fraud 

    By Magnus Effiong
    The people of Ukim Ita and several other communities in Odukpani, Calabar Municipality and Akpabuyo as well as contractors engaged for purported constructions of access roads, erosion control, schools, health facilities amongst others in those areas, are in pain.

    While the natives are bemoaning the destruction of their farmlands and economic trees for the acclaimed projects which were abandoned since about three years ago, contractors engaged to handle the afore-mentioned projects are crying out for their resources, running into hundreds of millions, which they committed to the projects without mobilization promised by Waltz Environmental Solutions Nig Ltd, a company which laid claims to being a consultant engaging with  OANDO.

    Our reporter gathered that Waltz company had approached the people of the various areas telling them that as oil producing communities, OANDO was ready to compensate them with roads, school and health facilities as part of its Community Social Responsibility and that a whooping N36 billion had been set aside for that purpose.

    Investigations indicated that Waltz Environmental Consultancy Services Ltd, represented by Mr Samuel Ekong, came to Calabar around 2020 and started meeting stakeholders from all the host communities where the OANDO /Eastern Horizon/ Seven Energy gas pipeline passes through.

    Mr Ekong had told the community leaders that he was a consultant working with OANDO to identify all such communities so as to carry out the long-awaited CSR worth N36billion, promised by OANDO.

    After signing MOUs with the host communities, he asked Contractors to register and tender for the various works, ranging from roads to secondary schools, erosion works, ultramodern markets, clinics and town halls etc.
    About 190 contractors reportedly registered with sums ranging from N250,000 to N3million for various project packages. It is alleged that the head of the Waltz company was richer with over N50million from that exercise.
    After the registration, the company directed the Contractors to open accounts, move to site and start work, promising to pay according to work done, from the money to be gotten from OANDO.

    At the same time the head of the company also promised the community people that he would pay compensation for their crops and economic trees that would be damaged during road, schools, clinics and other building/constructions.

    Soon after, numerous signboards with FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA , the coat of arms, OANDO and WALTZ, prominently written, sprang up at the numerous project sites.

    The Contractors said with all that, they were convinced that the projects were real and  they  borrowed funds, payed for registration, bought tender packages, employed people, did traditional consultation in host communities and rented houses etc in order to  move to their  sites and start working.

    Everything was going smoothly for the first few weeks until it became time for Waltz to pay them for the preliminary work done.

    Waltz allegedly gave excuses, accusing OANDO and government officials of demanding outrageous bribes before they released the money to him and later saying he was actually reporting OANDO to EFCC to compel them to pay for the works.

    Our reporter learnt that when the stories became funny and contradictory, the communities decided to reach out to OANDO, which vehemently denied any knowledge of Waltz transaction. This prompted some communities and contractors to begin to demand refund of their monies while others reported the matter to the Police.

    Having established that Waltz was anything but real, the communities washed their hands off the project, and for more than two years, investigation indicated that the contractors were left in limbo while Mr Ekong was nowhere to be found.
    Early this year, he resurfaced and told the bewildered contractors to re-mobilize to site, claiming to be ready to start work again and promising to send an SOS to the government to assist the projects and contractors.

    Surprisingly, a few weeks ago, Mr Ekong invited the contractors to a meeting with the following information: “Good morning to all partners and Contractors. Please refer to the information below…For the contractors’ meeting scheduled to take place today, all contractors are enjoined to do the following: Bring along an original or copies of all your awarded projects.

    “Bring along your Waltz Certificate of Registration, a verification fee of ₦5,000 per project will be paid by all contractors at the entrance/venue of the meeting today.

    “Note, this is the final part of your verification as a contractor before the next stage. Payments should be made to the account details below: Account Name: WALTZ ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS NIG LTD, Bank: FIRST BANK PLC, Account Number: 2024303893; Bank: GTB PLC, Account Number: 0692801076.”

    However, in a chat with our reporter, Mr Simon Okoroze, one of the contractors, said he registered three companies- Viv Ltd, Girona Ltd and Biscens Ltd to handle different aspect of the job, hired heavy equipment, transported same to Odukpani to do the preliminary works and that he was there for months tearing the farmlands for the acclaimed projects without getting back what he spent on that transaction.

    ‘I spent a fortune on a ghost project and left without recouping my money which runs into millions of Naira. As I speak, I’ve plunged myself into serious debt with my bank where I got facilities from,” he stated.
    Another contractor, who preferred anonymity said Waltz has succeeded in ruining many contractors, adding “many contractors have developed hypertension because they borrowed from banks which are now selling their properties and pursuing them in court.

    “Now the economy is bad and people are desperate, that is why some of the contractors are still following Samuel Ekong blindly even though they have seen all the signs that this may be a big scam.”
    Several efforts to speak with Mr Ekong met erected brick walls as the man at the other end boldly told Our Reporter that the dialed number was a wrong number.

    Speaking, a community leader, Arch Bassey Ndem in one of the affected communities told our reporter: “Women and youth of one of my communities, Ukim Ita, are weeping and wailing because their crops, sources of livelihood and even graves of their loved ones were destroyed during the road and bush clearing.

    “They too have not received a kobo in the compensation Mr Ekong promised them nor have the lofty projects materialized. I have issued a disclaimer, publicly asked Samuel Ekong four fundamental questions which he couldn’t answer, and warned him to keep away from any of my communities.”

    As at the time of this report, victims were still lamenting how and what pushed them into the failed transaction whose hope to see the light of day is regrettably bleak.

  • Tinubu’s Achievement In Humanitarian, Poverty Alleviation In First Four Months

    Tinubu’s Achievement In Humanitarian, Poverty Alleviation In First Four Months

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    For The Record

    • Paid Conditional cash transfer of 25000 Naira to 3.2M verified poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria. ( From CBN account directly to Beneficiaries account after verification and validation with NIN or BVN) working on coverage of 15M households for three months which keeps this as the Biggest social protection Intervention in Africa.

     

    • Flagged off Market-Moni 2.0, which is the expanded Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme(GEEP), with initial phase of 500,000 recipients getting N50,000 interest-free loans each, across the country in 109 markets of the 109 Senetorial zones in Nigeria. Market Sensitization and engagement of market women in rural areas ongoing.

     

    • Unveiled and handed over, 40 housing units for 200 people in Zamfara, ie 40 internally displaced families

     

    • Distribution of palliatives to over 500,000 internally displaced persons affected by flood, insecurity, humanitarian crises in kaduna, Borno, Niger, Lagos, ogun, Benue, etc

     

    • Construction of two very low cost housing sample under Renewed Hope Shelter for the very poor and internally displaced persons, secured 10 hectares from Benue state government ; and handed over to the Federal Government with foundation for 40 units already laid in Benue state, Nigeria.

     

    • Grant for vulnerable groups (20,000) paid to over 43,000 verified with biometrics to very poor Nigerians. In various states across the country.

     

    • Signing and Adoption of African charter for rights for Protection of person living with Disabilities by President Bola Tinubu.

     

    • Signing and adoption of African charter of rights for protection of Aged and old citizens By President Bola Tinubu.

     

    • Verification of National social registration in collaboration with World Bank for 15.7m poor and vulnerable House holds amounting to over 62M individuals across the country.

     

    • Expansion of National social register to cover poor pensioner, Ex-military service men and families of fallen heroes, widows, and other vulnerable groups

     

    • Free medical services for over 2000 with relief food items in Oko Agbo’s and other riverine community in Lagos state

     

    • Federal Executive Council Approval for the creation of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation trust fund, which is expected to generate 5 Billion dollars to address Humanitarian crises and poverty Alleviation matters in Nigeria through donor assistance, Budgetary allocation, Philanthropic gestures and other innovative forms of resource mobilization

     

    • Empowerment of over 25000 Nigerians with vocational skills in Adamawa and cross River state with startup equipments and micro- business registration.

     

    • Strategic partnerships with World Bank, United nations Agencies like OCHA, European Union, UNICEF, UNDP, World food Programs, Bill and Melinda gate’s Foundation, Red Crescent, Islamic Development Bank, etc to form a coordinated approach to solve humanitarian crises with durable solution while contributing to the Trust Fund. Have secured commitments of up to 250 million USD for Nigeria so far.

     

    • Launched and empowered 100,000 persons Living with disabilities and approved 10% of all humanitarian and social investments intervention for persons living with disabilities. POS business and other Business registrations for beneficiaries.

     

    • Launched the Gazetted and simplified copy of the Disability regulation Law and called for states to domesticate the law across the country to protects rights of people living with disabilities.

     

    • Payment of backlog debt of Npower Beneficiaries; Three Hundred and Sixty thousand (360,000) Nigerian Youths benefited from the debt clearance owed from past administration. Each of them received 30,000 in December 2023.

     

    • Collaboration of Federal government with the Swedish, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Morocco, Netherlands governments and secured their commitments on areas of immediate support to Nigeria Humanitarian crises in affected states.

     

     

    • Laid the foundation stone for the construction of 40 units of modern toilets for Alheri Leprosy Colony in Yangoji Kwali Area Council, of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

     

    • ⁠Launched and flagged off implementation of indigenous craft and skills empowerment program for sustainable community development. This covered 5000 aged people.

     

    • ⁠Humanitarian Crisis response in Magun and Bokos LGA of Platue state, following the Jos Plateau attack, Madugri of Borno state, Niger state and Benue state. Provided Relief materials, food stuff and other essentials for over 30,000 directly people affected.

     

    • ⁠Dr Betta Edu is Chairman of ECOWAS committee on social Protection. West African recognition which clearly signifies Presidents Tinubu lead in providing social Protection for over 15m households in Nigeria. Largest social protection intervention on going in Africa

     

    • ⁠Facilitated the return of over 400 refugees as well as their rehabilitation and reintegration. As the returned from Neighboring countries like Chad, Niger, etc

     

    • ⁠Lead the world migration submit with resolution, to prevent irregular migration from Nigeria to Europe and other parts of the world. Especially youths that should support national growth and Development

     

    • ⁠partnership with other MDAs, security forces like Army and Airforce to reach the hard to reach areas with vital humanitarian relief supplies and reduce humanitarian crises caused by insecurity.
  • Otu Reiterates Commitment To Fighting Crime In C’River

    Otu Reiterates Commitment To Fighting Crime In C’River

    The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, in a hand shake with the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-South, DIG Sokari Pedro during the courtesy visit. .

    By Anietie Akpan

    Governor Bassey Otu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies to exterminate the  remaining small pockets of crime in Cross River State.

    This was contained in a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill made available to some newsmen in Calabar on Friday.

    The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made the pledge, Friday, when he received the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-South, DIG Sokari Pedro and his team in Calabar.

    Applauding the collaborative efforts of the Police and other security agencies in combating crime and insecurity in the State, Governor Otu assured the high-powered delegation of his administration’s readiness to support the police with Hi-Tech facilities and basic technology that would enhance the fight against crime in the Cross River.

    “I want to thank you and your team for making out time to visit the State. We are happy that you came, indeed happier that you are heading the department of information and communication technology in the Nigerian Police Force.

    “Let me also thank the Commissioner of Police,  Gyogon Augustine Grimah and his men for the tremendous work they are doing in the State. Because of them, we can sleep with our both eyes closed. They have reduced crime to the barest minimum.

    “Today, crime has become impossible to fight without the use of modern technology.

    “Let me assure you, again, that the Government of Cross River would do even more for the police and her sister security agencies to ensure that we put to rest all the security challenges in the State,” he stated.

    Governor Otu maintained that while it is commonplace that there is no society without crime, the government is ensuring that nobody in the State resorts to crime as their stock-in-trade or become a security threat to another.

    Attributing the small level of crime in the state to being perpetrated by strangers who sneak into the state periodically to wreak havoc, Otu said, “we will equip our security system with advanced technology to track down these criminals and make them face the full wrath of the law. Cross River State Government is committed to fighting crime.”

    Earlier, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-South and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country, DIG Sokari Pedro said the essence of his visit to the State was to have a first-hand experience of how the Police are fairing in Cross River as well as boosting the morale of men of the force operating in the State.

    He also stated that part of his visit was to remind his officers of the need to always adhere to their professional ethics as officers of the law.

    The DIG lauded Governor Otu for his support for the police and other security agencies in the quest for law and order, saying that his men have inundated him with the present administration’s steadfast support for the smooth operations of operating security in the State.

    He excitedly informed the government that security reports rank Cross River as the State with the lowest crime rate in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria while seeking the administration’s continuous support for the police in the State’s resolve for a peaceful and crime-free Cross River State.

     

     

  • UNICEF, IHS Donate Oxygen Plant To Cross River Gov’t, Train 250 Health Workers

    UNICEF, IHS Donate Oxygen Plant To Cross River Gov’t, Train 250 Health Workers

    Cross River Deputy Governor, Hon Peter (2nd L), commissioning the oxygen gas plant project on Friday while Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk (1st L), Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe (1st R) and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh (2nd R) assist.

    By Anietie Akpan

    A multi-million naira Oxygen Gas Plant (OGP) has been commissioned at the General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.

    The OGP was commissioned on Friday by the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who was represented by his deputy, Hon Peter Odey.

    The mega project was donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Towers, in collaboration with the government of Canada to the Cross River State government.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the oxygen plant, UNICEF representative, Cristian Munduate, said in addition to oxygen plant, 250 health workers across all three tiers as well as biomedical engineers and technicians, have been trained in managing illnesses causing low oxygen concentration, the correct use of oxygen therapy and the maintenance and repair of oxygen delivery equipment.

    She said that, “in addition to this oxygen plant, the State has also received numerous oxygen-delivery devices from UNICEF and its partners, which are also being commissioned for service today.

    “We will continue to collaborate with your government to enhance the capacity of health workers to deliver high-impact interventions for women, new-borns and children. We will continue to provide technical support and strengthen systems for service delivery. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to making this State rank among the best in the country in key indicators of maternal and child hea

    Munduate who was represented by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe maintained that the commitment was aimed at strengthening healthcare system and ensuring access to life-saving medical oxygen, particularly for the most vulnerable population.

    “Permit me to acknowledge the contributions of our esteemed partners who share the vision of strengthening the medical oxygen system in Nigeria and are contributing to saving the precious lives of our children and women”, she said.

    While commissioning the project, the Governor  Otu, expressed confidence that the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant will make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless citizens of the state.

    He thanked UNICEF for the gesture, insisting that the State Government would pay a regular visit to the plant to monitor its usage and functionality even as she urged the General Hospital management to make judicious use of the plant.

    Earlier, in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk thanked UNICEF for training state-based engineers that will manage the facility, noting that the facility is a money spinning facility which its internally generated revenue is capable of sustaining the entire hospital.

    He added that plans were underway to establish another oxygen plant in Ogoja General Hospital while appealing to UNICEF and other partners to see how they can establish such facility in Ugep, Central Senatorial District of the state.

     

  • Olumba Obu Speaks At AU’s Africa Spiritual Day In Ethiopia

    Olumba Obu Speaks At AU’s Africa Spiritual Day In Ethiopia

    Leader Olumba Olumba Obu 

    By Anietie Akpan

    A renowned Spiritual Leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has been invited to speak at a 2-day Africa Spiritual Day summit at African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia. The summit started on Wednesday and will end today.

    The  Summit is organised in collaboration with the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate of the AU.

    The Inter-religious Association for Peace and Development led by the IAPD African Union extended the invitation to the spiritual leader, revered as the king of kings and lord of lords by his adherents.

    The Liaison Officer of IAPD African Union, Dr. Simon Amare confirmed the invitation, when he and other officials received the spokesman of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Patriarch Christ Shepherd (Dr) Amah Williams at Bole International airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on Wednesday morning.

    Patriarch Williams is to represent Obu,  and will speak on the subject “Leader Olumba Olumba Obu’s Peace Model As The Panacea For Crises In Africa” at the AU Headquarters.

    The BCS spokesman is also expected to interact with other African religious leaders where he will expantiate on the teachings of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu on the need for AU, and his mission.

    He will also interface with the Leadership of Inter- Religious Council of Ethiopia before paying courtesy call on the Minister of Federal Ministry of Peace, Hon. Binalf Andualem.

    Commenting, Williams told journalists that BCS will collaborate with the Inter- Religious Council of Ethiopia on the ease of sending BCS priests to Ethiopia in the nearest future.

    Research shows that Leader Olumba Olumba Obu,  born in Biakpan village in 1918 in today’s Biase LGA of Cross River Stat, established Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in 1956 in Calabar.

    The spiritual organisation now has over three million adherents in several countries of the world. The spiritual leader teaches love and importance of forgiveness and is reputed to be seen in several places simultaneously and acclaimed to be very powerful by his adherents.

  • Cross River State House Of Assembly Impeaches Speaker

    Cross River State House Of Assembly Impeaches Speaker

     

    By Ita Williams, Calabar

    The Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Elvert Anyambem, has been impeached amidst uproar.

     

    The impeachment which took place in the early hours of Wednesday during plenary on the floor of the assembly followed a motion of urgent public interest moved by member representing Calabar South 1 State Constituency Hon Effiong Ekarika and seconded by member representing Bekwarra State Constituency, Hon Charles Omang.

     

    In an impeachment letter signed by 17 of the 25 members of the House and read by Hon Omang, said the Speaker was removed because of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, administrative high handedness, incompetence among others.

     

    He said the Speaker’s removal from office is in line with Order 24 of the Rules of the Cross River State House of Assembly and pursuant to Section 92(2XC) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered.

     

    He said, “having met the constitutional requirement of two-third majority, we the under listed members of the Cross River State House of Assembly hereby pass a vote- of-no- confidence on Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the House of Assembly and he is hereby removed”.

     

    The lawmakers accused the Speaker of “gross financial misconduct, misappropriation of the sum of N48 million meant to pay NEPA (electricity) bills for the House of Assembly complex and the House of Assembly.

     

    They also accused him of an alleged “misappropriation of 2 percent of all revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) monthly for oversight functions of the House of Assembly in line with Section 18(a)(i) of the Cross River State Revenue Administration Law 2011 as amended to the tune of N404.683 million, misappropriation of the sum of N19.437 million from Local Government deduction and 11 months deductions which he  wilfully failed to disclose to the members”.

     

    The aggrieved legislators also accused the Speaker of incompetence, wrong conduct of plenary proceedings, un-parliamentary way of conducting proceedings and appointment of members to move or second motions allowing interested members to raise their hands.

     

    The Assemblymen further alleged arbitrary approval of expenditure in flagrant breach of the provisions of Section 9(1) of the Cross River State Legislature Fund Management Law 2021, approvals beyond the limit which the Speaker can approve contrary to Section g(10) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021.

     

    Among other things, the 17 members of the Assembly also accused the Speaker of perpetual refusal to inaugurate the Legislative Funds Management Committee as required by Sections (1) of the Cross River State Legislature Funds Management Law 2021, total failure to convene leadership meetings which has only been once in 11 month since the inception of the House.

     

    Meanwhile the embattled speaker is insisting that he remains the speaker dismissing allegations against him.

     

  • NDDC’s N84 billion Projects

    OPINION

    By Etim Etim

    There is calm these days at the corporate headquarters of NDDC, the 24-year-old interventionist agency established by the Federal Government to fix developmental gaps in the Niger Delta region. The 13-storey edifice, commissioned in 2021, breaks into view as you turn into Eastern bypass in Port Harcourt. Inside, executives are hard at work on the 2025 budget and completing ongoing projects. The rest of the workers are no less busy.

    The tranquility is a far cry from the brouhaha that enveloped the commission three years ago in the wake of the forensic audit ordered by the Buhari administration into its affairs. A new management team, headed by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, seems well determined to leave the ugly past behind. For two weeks beginning Saturday, May 18, NDDC will commission 92 high-impact infrastructure projects executed at over N84 billion across the nine states. They include roads, bridges, water, electricity, electrification, a police station, health centres and school blocks.

    Among the projects is the 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, which has created a road link to the ancient city of Nembe in Bayelsa State, for the first time in living memory. It includes 9.15 km of pre-fabricated vertical drains on the swamp and seven bridges. Executed at a cost of N24 billion, the road cuts the travel time to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital from 3 hours on dangerous water routes to a mere 45 minutes. It also opens up 14 communities for development. The project was executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and is regarded as a model of the commission’s partnership approach in tackling the challenges of the region.

    Also slated for commissioning is the 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV Substation electrification project, executed at a cost of N8.3 billion to optimize power supply to five local government areas in the southern part of Ondo State. The project covers the construction of 45km double circuit 33KV feeder lines from Omotosho Power Station (Hook-up point) to Okitipupa and two 30MVA, 132/33KV Injection Substations with breakers, gantry and substation automation. It also includes the construction of a three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow as service quarters.

    The capacity of this power station is optimized with the provision of 2 x 60MVA, 132/33KV transformer and other ancillary works at Okitipupa Injection Substation, rehabilitation of 35km 33/11KV transmission from Okitipupa-Igbokoda-Ugbonla and environs and the construction of 1km rigid pavement. The electricity project will complement the Federal Government’s effort in the power sector by improving power supply to Okitipupa, Igbokoda and about 2,000 neighbouring communities in Ondo South Senatorial District with direct value chain in small and medium scale industries, job creation and consequently engender growth and development in Ondo State.

    NDDC’s executive director in charge of projects, Victor Antai, sounded ecstatic when I spoke with him early Saturday morning. It is his brief to deliver on all the projects undertaken by the agency. And so, for five months since late last year, Antai has been touring the nine NDDC states, inspecting projects and ensuring that contractors are up and doing. He told me: ‘’As you know, I have been on the road, inspecting these projects, meeting with contractors and the communities, just to ensure that every project is delivered on time. It is the decision of the executive management to deliver dividends to our people.”

    Before he assumed duties in November, Antai has been a businessman, a Local Government chairman and a commissioner in Akwa Ibom government. To his folks, he is known for his simplicity, affability and generosity. Unlike many ‘big men’ in public service, Antai has no airs and does not encourage partisan divisions and ethnic bigotry. So, I asked him, among all the 92 projects, which one do you have for Akwa Ibom state?

    In Akwa Ibom State, NDDC will commission the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Iwuochang road in Ibeno LGA the southern part of the state. The road project consists of two-lane single carriage way, a 600-metre bridge and side drains. The N10 billion virgin road project links 20 communities, hitherto separated by the Qua Iboe River. Three years ago, NDDC completed and commissioned a 1005-student hostel at the University of Uyo. I attended the event. In Abia State, NDDC will commission the Obehie to Oke Ikpe-road reconstructed at a cost of N3.5 billion. The nine-kilometre road restores the road link between Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, through Abia (Ukwa East/West). It involved the reconstruction of seven kilometres of failed section of the road and the construction of drainage.

    It is commendable that Dr. Ogbuku and his team are completing and commissioning these projects, many of which were started by previous managements. It is indeed pleasng that he has not fallen into the temptation to abandon them and start news ones as it has often been the case in public service. Said the chief executive: ‘’The most compelling need in completing and commissioning these projects is to put them for use in the communities and help in renewing hope in the people in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”

    It is also important that the NDDC is now generating more good news than the negative ones. I was in the center of the fight in 2021 during the forensic audit controversies, defending the commission in the media. It is my pleasure to report on the calm and the progress that we now have.

    Etim is a former media consultant to the NDDC. A Journalist and Political Analyst based in Abuja.