Tag Archives: ayade

“Despite Governor Ayade’s claim, we still pay taxes, levies”, Cross River residents cry out.

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Residents of Calabar have expressed mixed reactions to the pronouncement by Governor Ben Ayade to exempt low income earners in Cross River from payment of taxes and levies.

Some of the residents spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews in Calabar.

Joseph Ewa, the Chairman of Tricycle Owners/Drivers Association of Nigeria, Cross River chapter, said that his members were still paying various levies to different government agents.

“We have been waiting for the implementation of this directive but nothing is happening till now. They are still harassing us daily as usual.

“Everything remains the same. We are waiting for the governor to come back from his journey and then we will ask him to explain to us who benefits from this law.”

According to him, the governor’s directive concerns tricycle drivers, taxi drivers and even bean cake (akara) seller.

“I heard the governor mention “keke’’ tricycle driver during his speech, so we have to find out in due course what is happening,” he said.

A taxi driver, Udeme Simon, said that rather than exemption, they were now paying more.

“Look at my receipts, where we used to pay N200 before, it is now N450; so we only heard that pronouncement but it has not impacted on us in any way,” he said.

A civil servant, Catherine Henshaw, said that she could not confirm if deductions were made on her salary because she was yet to be paid for January.

“I heard that too, but I am yet to receive my January salary to know if anything has changed,” she said.

However, an official of the State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said on condition of anonymity that the directive was yet to be implemented as it had to pass through some processes.

“As I speak with you, we have not started implementing the directive. And again, the exemption does not affect every low income earners on the street.

“It is only meant for those that are recognisable like the state civil servants. The idea is that, the governor will pay for them,” he said.

The governor had in his maiden media briefing said he had forwarded a bill to exempt all low income earners in the state from payment of all forms of taxes and levies to the State House of Assembly.

He reiterated the pronouncement, while signing this year’s budget two weeks ago in Calabar.

 

Source: NAN

Cross River Government Exempts Low Income Earners From Paying Taxes

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The Cross River State Government has with immediate effect abolished all forms of taxation levied on low income earners with less than 50,000 naira monthly income.

The directive, according to Governor Ben Ayade was necessitated by the current economic realities in the country and its impacts on ordinary citizens.

 

Ayade made the disclosure shortly after signing the 2017 appropriation bill of N707 billion christened, “Budget of Transposition” into law at the State Executive Council Chambers, Calabar.

 

 

Citizens, especially low income earners and petty traders in the state have recently frowned at the incessant collection of taxes from them, which is biting hard following the recession.

 

This led to Governor Ben Ayade’s decision to put an end to pressurizing the low income earners in the state for taxes.

 

The Governor in an emotional speech on the issue reasoned that God has given those in authority the window to raise the hopes of the electorate and by that, his administration would rather tax his intellect to prosperity rather than taxing the low income earners.

Ayade To Appoint 6,000 More Aides

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State said, yesterday, that he will soon appoint 6,000 more aides and create 50,000 jobs in January 2017 for youths of the state to expand governance and put food on the table of everyone in the state and ensure that no one goes to bed in an empty stomach.
Governor Ayade, who spoke at U J Esuene Stadium during a reception in his honour after the December 9 Supreme Court victory on a case of perjury brought against him by Mr Joe Agi, SAN, a co-contestant in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries in December 2014.

He said, “I am appreciative of all the support given me by the women of the state and the youths and in this light, I will ever remain grateful. To ensure that nobody goes to sleep in an empty stomach, I shall appoint 6,000 more aides, create 3,000 jobs for the youths and in January 2017, create 50,000 jobs to make sure nobody in the state is unemployed.”

Ayade who announced a donation of N50 million to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and N30m to the Muslim community in the state, said it was God who removed shame from him by giving him victory at the Supreme Court.

“I kept asking myself why me and if I said I truly believe in God, why should I be put to shame? But as it turned out, it is only God who has the glory and nobody else, not even the Supreme Court.”

The governor said that the victory has given him more verve to more towards the transformation of the state and hence, he would be dressing in jean and t-shirt while he traverses the state to inaugurate more projects and programmes for the people.

“I should say it without mincing words that if you come here in 2019, you will not recognise that this was not the Cross River State you used to know because I shall carry out a complete transformation of the state.”

He extended an olive branch to his opponent, Mr Joe Agi to sheathe the sword and join him along with his group in working for the state because there was a lot of work to be done.

Credit:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/ayade-appoint-6000-aides/

Defection Speculation: Ayade Meets Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Others

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has met with bigwigs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the weekend.

The meeting, which started during the thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, in Calabar, was believed to have focused on the governor’s political future.

A former senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, a former minister of defence and presidential aspirant, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who graced the occasion, were said to have convinced Ayade to leave the PDP for the APC.

Later, Ayade drove with them and other top military brass that also graced the event in large numbers to an undisclosed location where Okorocha and other APC leaders were said to have got his firm commitment.

Speculations have been rife over Ayade’s secret ambition to cross over to the APC, having hobnobbed with key national leaders of the party few months after he was sworn in.

He has also been showering encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari whom he had criticised before his victory in the last presidential election.

But in a swift reaction, Ayade’s media aide dismissed the insinuation that the governor was planning to move from the PDP.

Christian Ita, chief press secretary to Ayade, said the governor was just playing the role of a good host to the array of political, military and business leaders that thronged Calabar to honour a prominent son of the state.

“It is not true that the discussion our governor had with the APC leaders had anything to do with leaving the PDP for the APC,” said Ita.

Okorocha, who had visited the state and met Ayade previously over same issue, had commended the governor for having the blessing of God with the appointment of his “sons” into key national positions.

Remarking, Usani commended those who honoured his invitation and described them as his close friends. He stated that hatred for one another was the key reason for underdevelopment of Cross River State.

Credit: dailytrust

Cross River Homeland Security Service to recruit over 3,000 youths.

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Cross River State’s Homeland Security Service is expected to recruit more than 3,000 youth, the government said.

 

The state government has in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, commenced the recruitment process.

In a statement issued on Monday in Calabar by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade on Media, Christian Ita, an applicant must be at least 6ft tall and must be a holder of a university degree or a Higher National Diploma, HND.

 

Governor Ayade recently signed into law, a bill passed by the State House of Assembly, to establish Cross River State Homeland Security.

 

The key function of the Cross River State Homeland Security is information gathering, to enable a more effective policing of the state by the Nigerian Police Force.

 

The organisation shall be a non-arm bearing force.

 

The state government has purchased hundreds of Kia Sedan cars fitted with state-of-the art communication gadgets in preparation for the official inauguration of the service.

Federal Government Declares Ayade’s Green Police Illegal.

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The Federal Government has declared the “Green Police” inaugurated by the Cross River State Government as an illegal and criminal outfit that violates the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

 

But the state government has disagreed with the declaration made by the police, saying the outfit was backed by a law enacted by the State’s House of Assembly with the aim to protect the environment and create jobs for the people.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Police Force declared that the inauguration of the Green Police by the administration of Governor Ben Ayade was an attempt to establish an illegal police organisation, an act that is forbidden by the Nigerian constitution.

 

Addressing journalists in his office, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Jimoh Obi-Ozeh, said the command would stop the Green Police from operating in the state because the Nigerian constitution recognises only one police force.

 

Quoting a relevant section of the constitution to buttress the stance of the police, he said, “According to Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with amendment 2011, there shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established.”

Ayade’s Appointees and supporters abandon Him: Gives fresh condition for support.

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On Sunday the 9th of October 2016 political appointees and supporters of Ayade were called to Chief Eugene Ake’s Calabar residence to shore up the dwindling support for Ayade in cross river state and his Obudu home town.

In the said meeting the political appointees and supporters of Ayade dwelt on the failures of the governor and called for a withdrawal of support for Ayade unless the governor retraces his steps and takes actions to improve their welfare. Instead of building support for the governor, a delegation was sent to the governor to raise some issues as a condition for their continued support for the governor.

The issues raised include: payments of outstanding debt for past and present political appointees, poor governance, absence of governance in the state. Wastage occasioned by the governor’s frequent travels and signing of MoUs targeted at buying time and hypnotising people with unrealistic promises, interference in the functions of appointees by co-govenor Frank Ayade and other relatives and in-laws of the governor, no impress, no votes, no equipment for the appointees to do their job, revitalization of local government and payments of debt owed council chairmen and councillors.

The appointees warned that the governor must change or they will join those attacking him to bring down the obviously insensitive government of Mr. Ben Ayade.

There is an adage that once a ship wants to sink, even the rat jumps out. Now that the governor is sinking, the appointees ought to be all out defending the governor if all was well with them or if they are fully in support of the governor.

Recently there seems to be a silence of appointees and less defence of the governor even in social media. Rather than increase support for the governor, the appointees have rather taken to  being informants for Ayade’s critics. It is confirmatory of the dying support for the governor.  In fact two of the governor’s appointees called me out yesterday to give me a drink and supply me with facts to publish in public.

Regrettable, Cross river is losing all it’s tourism potentials under the watch of Mr Ben Ayade. The obudu mountain race is a dead dream, Tinapa is moribund,  obudu cattle ranch is growing weeds with cable cars no longer functioning. Our educational system is comatose with the governor owing WAEC large sums of money.

The international conference centre is at the stage it was after commissioning. The Shanghai farms is folding, the Ugep institute of management technology can no longer pay it’s staff with lectures resigning their jobs. The garment factory is yet to be commissioned, after much talk about employment and the lifting of more than 20 years ban on employment, those recruited in garment factory and green police have been deceived with their employment revoked.

The much hyped monorail is yet to kick start. Recently the national sport festival that was zoned for hosting in Cross River State has been withdrawn to Abuja by the minister of sports.

Amidst all these more monies are diverted for the building of a 100 unit housing scheme in the governor’s Obudu home town. Mobile courts are in the increase to extort monies from poor citizenry to feed the governor’s greed and primitive spirit of wealth acquisition.

Enough is enough! We must all rise to condemn the open robbery of the state by Ayade’s administration

God called me to govern Cross River — Governor Ayade

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has said that he was called by God to govern Cross River to provide needed dividends of democracy to the people.

Ayade made the statement on Friday while addressing thousands of supporters who came to receive him at Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar on arrival from Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the supporters besieged the airport in solidarity with Ayade ahead of the Dec. 9 Supreme Court judgement in a case of alleged falsification of his age.

The case was instituted by Mr Joe Agi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Agi, who contested the 2015 PDP governorship primary with Ayade, had challenged the eligibility of the governor to contest the primary.

Ayade told his supporters at the airport that since power comes from God, he was called by God to govern the state at this particular time.

He said: “I was preparing to run election for the senate when God called me and said I should come and be governor. I am a servant of God and I urge you all to put me in prayers.

“God shall not forsake us at this point; His miracle will prevail at the appointed time. When the righteous people are ruling, God will take control.

“God has the final say in this case. You can have the capacity to manipulate man, but you cannot manipulate God.

“I came into this office as governor under the inspiration of God.

“Today, we are before the court of man to decide the faith and destiny of Cross River people. God shall take control and establish himself.

“Truly, in the name of God, I am totally innocent. If I come before the court of man, I come with supplication for clemency from God.’’

The governor said that his administration had not failed in paying salaries of civil servants in the state and urged the people to continue to support his administration.

“I dedicate today to God that if I truly came to serve the people, He will surely see us through. If the worst happens, then it is God’s will.

“We have no capacity to appeal at this level. We are now appealing to God that knows our hearts in this case in question.’’

Mr George Ekpungu, the state Commissioner for New Cities Development, told NAN in an interview at the airport that the people of the state would resist any attempt to remove Ayade from his seat.

Ekpungu said that the people of the state voted massively for him, hence they entrusted him with their mandate.

Ayade To Buratai: We Need Heavy Military Presence In Cross River

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Governor Ben Ayade of  Cross River State on Wednesday demanded heavy presence of the military in Calabar, in order to sustain peace in the state.

He made the appeal when the Chief of army of  staff COAS, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar.

Represented by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, Ayade applauded the COAS’s sterling leadership qualities, describing him as a delight in Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

” In Cross River State, we need heavy presence of the military because we want peace to be able to do our job”, he said.

Credit:

http://leadership.ng/news/552719/ayade-to-buratai-we-need-heavy-military-presence-in-cross-river-2

Drama as PDP asks Supreme Court to sack Gov Ayade over false age declaration

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A drama played out at the Supreme Court, yesterday, as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asked the apex court to remove Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State from office over allegation that he falsified his age.
The party, through its lawyer, Mr. N. Ibegbulam, told the apex court headed by Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour that it was in support of an appeal by Mr. Joe Agi, SAN, against Ayade. Agi who is also a chieftain of the PDP in Cross River State had in his appeal, insisted that Governor Ayade lied about his age.
The appellant who came second in the governorship primary election of the PDP, held in the state on December 8, 2014, adduced exhibits before the court showing that Governor Ayade had in three different affidavits that were deposed to on oath, supplied conflicting dates as his year of birth.
Specifically, the evidence before the court showed that the 3rd respondent (Ayade) had in the Nomination Form, Code PD 003/G, which he used to contest the Cross River State election, stated on oath that he was born on March 2, 1969. However, the age declaration he attached to the form, which his brother Frank Ayade swore to before a Cross River State High Court sitting at Oleh on February 1, 2007, indicated that the defendant was born in 1968.
Moreover, the plaintiff tendered in evidence, a document that showed that the governor, while applying for admission into the University of Ibadan, gave an age declaration stating that he was born on March 2, 1966. The bio-data was allegedly issued by the University itself.
Meanwhile, when the matter came up for hearing yesterday, the, PDP, told the apex court that it was satisfied that Ayade violated its Electoral Guidelines by furnishing it with wrong data about his age. Ibegbulam said, “My Lords, after due consideration, we apply to concede to this appeal and consequently apply to withdraw the 1st respondent’s brief of argument dated May 17.
“We urge your lordships to find merit in the appeal and apply Article 14(b) and 15(2) of the PDP Electoral Guidelines which disqualifies any candidate that gives false age declaration.”After listening to the parties, the apex court reserved its judgment till December 9.

Cross River to Float an Airline in November- Ayade

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state, has stated that his administration will float an airline in November. Ayade said this while playing host to a consortium of Indian investors in Calabar on Monday. Governor Ben Ayade He said the airline, which is to be called `Cally Air’, will be managed by Dana Group under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The governor said it would fly Calabar, Obudu, Lagos and Abuja routes. “We have our own state’s aircraft currently in Aero Contractors’ fleet in Lagos.

“The management of Dana Airline has agreed to do a detailed technical study of the aircraft before it commences commercial flight operations.” Ayade said the state was in a haste to get the airline started while Dana Airline would serve as its technical partner. Jackies Hartmani, managing director of Dana Group, applauded the joint partnership between his group and the state government. Hartmani said: “My company is very impressed with what Ayade is doing to transform the state in terms of investment and we are committed to ensuring the success of the partnership.”

Ayade Employs 300 Applicants In Calabar Garment Factory

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Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has approved the immediate engagement of about 300 shortlisted applicants as employees of the newly built state-owned Calabar Garment Factory.
The lucky beneficiaries were at the garment factory for the final screening exercise for employment, which is in three batches for applicants from each of the three senatorial districts in the state.
Speaking during the exercise for applicants from the southern senatorial districts, Ayade directed that every applicant at the event be given automatic employment.
“When we set up this factory, the intension was not just to create jobs but also to guarantee that young men and women who have been challenged by circumstances of their births have the opportunity to better their lots.
“I’m so excited at what I am seeing here today, the number of people and their energy and it is an indication that our factory has taken off. Remember, the factory has the capacity to create 3,000 jobs.
“Truly, if you call yourself a leader, your focus should be on the vulnerable and the weakest that we are engaging today. We will guarantee you good salaries, food and proper transportation.”
“This is a lifesaving opportunity for the vulnerable. These women constitute the basis of the family, but unfortunately, because of the nature of our society, things have become very difficult for them,” he said.
Ayade described the factory as a new horizon for the employees to realize their true skills, potential and manifestation of what God has endowed them with.
“We want to show to the world that we have skills, great fashion engineers. I call you engineers because you are going to provide the skills that we have not seen before.”
Also speaking, President and Founder of Africa Young Entrepreneurs (AYE), Oluwa Summy Francis, who was in company with other entrepreneurs from other parts of Africa, described the establishment of Calabar Garment Factory by Governor Ayade as a demonstration of true leadership in action.
Francis said: “What I am seeing here is something far from Nigeria, this is not just an opportunity but something that will create Africa
“This is what happens when a youth becomes a governor, someone who truly has everything on his side like age, exposure, connections and commitment. When you have youth in the saddle, we should expect things like this.
“From our interactions with the governor, we are made to understand that the garment factory is the least of his lofty dreams for the people of Cross River. So, if this amazes you, then be ready for something that will blow your mind.
“Here is a man that does not only believe in the growth of Cross River and Nigeria, but that of Africa and I am really overwhelmed by this innovation and mind blowing opportunity for Africa in terms of job creation as well as attracting investors and investments back to Africa,” the President added.

Read More:

http://sunnewsonline.com/ayade-employs-300-applicants-in-calabar-garment-factory/

Gov. Ayade To Legalize Hawking In Cross River

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The Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has sent a Hawkers’ Right Bill to the State House of Assembly in a bid to legalize hawking in the state.

Ayade, in an interaction with reporters in his office in Calabar said it is insensitive for a government to ban hawking without any alternative.

According to him, such amounted to the infringement of the right of the hawker.

His words, “I have just sent the Hawkers’ Right Bill to the House of Assembly, to provide a right for hawking. You cannot tell a man not to sell his goods because he does not have money to rent a store. And you tell the man not to steal? Just provide a regulatory framework; there should be reflective outfits, there should be a minimum age of 18 to hawk, you will have a time frame when you come out so that you don’t constitute nuisance. But to prohibit hawking is to tell a man I don’t want to give you food, and I don’t want you to steal. It is unfair. They have right to seek and determine how they chose to live within the ambits of the law.

“Cross River would the first state that would officially recognize hawking. The core mandate of a leader should be the social security of his people. If a man choses to hawk, if you are government that is sensitive and understands the real principle and objective of the law, then you will know that the hawker has a right. Governance is about how you protect the weakest in the society and that is why even with the way things are, Cross River is still doing tax exemption for the poor.”

The governor also said the expansion of his new government by engaging about 800 appointees was deliberate to ensure many people were empowered financially.

He announced that he was going to announce 300 more appointees next week.

Ayade said he would rather spend four years paying salaries to reduce hunger and quit as governor than spend money on projects and politicians.

The governor also said the Presidential System adopted from America was not the best in running the country.

Gov. Ayade’s Brother Arrested Over Alleged N2.4billion Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a brother to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State over alleged N2.4billion contract scam.

Sources at the EFCC said that Francis Ayade was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the scam.

Mr. Ayade, managing director of Leophina Nigeria Limited and Hally Brown International Limited, was fingered in alleged shady deals involving diversion of public funds into his companies’ accounts.

“Specifically, four different allocations from the Federation Accounts were alleged to have been diverted into Hally Brown International Limited’s account owned by him,” an official said.

Investigations by EFCC operatives showed that Hally Brown International Limited was awarded a road construction contract to the tune of N2.4billion in 2011.

To finance the contract, Mr. Ayade allegedly took a loan of N350,000,000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) from First Bank Plc, on behalf of Cross Rivers Rural Access and Mobility Project.

The loan, was however, unused for the contract, but transferred into the Mobility Project.

Mr. Ayade has also been implicated in alleged suspicious transactions involving Obudu Micro Finance Bank, among other allegations.

Read More:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/209185-breaking-brother-cross-rivers-governor-ayade-arrested-alleged-n2-4billion-fraud.html

Ayade Suspends Commissioner, MD For Lateness

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Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, yesterday suspended indefinitely, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ntufam Gabe Odu Ojie and the Managing Director of Water Board Limited, Dr. Oju Igile for reporting to work late.
The governor announced their suspension during his routine but unscheduled tour of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that civil and public servants comply strictly with basic work ethics.
Speaking to newsmen at the premises of the ministry in Calabar, Ayade said it was an act of indiscipline for appointees not to be at their duty posts before 9.00am, maintaining that the suspension would serve as deterrent to other government employees, as well as appointees. “This is about 9 o’clock in the morning and the Commissioner for Water Resources is not at his duty post. The managing director of state Water Board is not in the office. I cannot understand why he is not in the office. I, therefore, with immediate effect, announce his suspension. We will appoint somebody to take over this office with immediate effect. Any commissioner I find in this circumstance will leave.”
After making the pronouncement, Governor Ayade also supervised a roll call of staff members, who signed the time book as of the time of his visit.

Read More:

http://sunnewsonline.com/ayade-suspends-commissioner-md-for-lateness/

Governor Reportedly Orders Suspension Of Prayers In Schools

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has given a directive that henceforth no public or private primary and secondary school in the state should hold morning or afternoon prayers.

The governor also directed that all teachers with effect from next year must be in suits during official hours. A letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Anne O. Odey, dated October 21, said the suspension of prayers will subsist till further notice.

The directive which was sent to all zonal heads in the state said, “the ministry hereby directs all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state to suspend all assemblies (morning and afternoon) till further notice.”

All school heads were directed to comply strictly or risk sanctions.

Credit: DailyTrust

Buhari Expresses Commitment To Ayade’s Signature Projects

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President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to the signature projects of Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade, which are the construction of a 260km superhighway and a new deep seaport.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the superhighway that will link Calabar to Northern Nigeria, in Obung Village, Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State, Buhari said the road will open a window of opportunity for the people of Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole, as well as reduce travel time.

His words, “That I am here in person underscores the importance the Federal Government attaches to this. It is indeed a significant milestone in the economic and policy of the governor.

“This is the first groundbreaking under my presidency. I commend Ayade and his team for their foresight in conceptualising this project.

“I want to assure you of the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the project. I promise I will come back to commission it. I urge the governor to ensure work is done on it quickly.”

Read More: thenationonlineng

Cross River State To Host MBGN Pageant In October

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Cross River State Government and Silverbird Group have signed a 4-year management contract for the hosting of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), at the prestigious 5,000 seat capacity Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

According to the agreement, Calabar will play host to both the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and the maiden edition of Miss Africa Beauty Pageant owned by the Cross River State Government.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony at the CICC in Calabar, the State Governor, Ben Ayade, expressed confidence that Silverbird has the capacity and expertise to manage the centre, giving its track record in the entertainment industry.

According to the Governor, with the hosting of the two pageant shows in October and December, citizens of Cross River State and indeed Nigerians should key into the new development and make the best use of business opportunities it will offer.

The Group Vice President, Silverbird Group, Mr. Guy Murrày-Bruce, overwhelmed by the architectural masterpiece, described the CICC as the best of its kind in Africa.

Murray-Bruce said that the pageants would enable the state showcase its enormous tourism potentials to the whole world with the view to attracting tourists for economic gains.

He expressed delight to partner with the Cross River State Government on the project and promised delivering on excellence.