Niger Delta

Firm Launches New Transport Scheme In Calabar

Published

16 years ago

March 27, 2010

Following the recent ban on commercial motor cycle popularly known as ‘Okada’ or ‘Alalok’ in Efik language in Cross River State, the management of Remlords, a transportation company, has floated another transport scheme service, Canaan Cabs in the state.

Before the state government’s ban on commercial motor cycle operation, it had been the only means of transportation within the state capital with some of the operators constituting nuisance.

Commissioning the Canaan Cabs in Calabar, Mr. Gabe Okulaja, special adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke on public transportation, described the occasion as epoch-making that signalled “the irrevocable entrenchment of ultra-modern city taxi services not only in Calabar Metropolis, but across the landscape of Cross River State.”

Mr. Okulaja disclosed that when the Imoke-led administration came on board, it made modern mass transit services a priority, stressing that with the establishment of department of public transportation, there have been remarkable reform initiatives in the transport sector that has restored sanity in the system.

He commended the promoters of Canaan Cabs for their support in the realisation of government’s goal to provide taxi services in the city and its attendant employment creation in the state.

He noted that when government advertised for expressions of interest for franchise to operate taxi services within the state, Canaan Cabs was one of the firms that expressed preparedness to provide social cum economic service.

In his welcome address, Pastor Nkereuwem Onung, chairman and chief executive of both Remlords and Canaan Cabs said the event was on evidence of private sector contribution to enhance transport scheme in the state.

He noted that the scheme was not limited to the state alone, saying that the services would be extended to other parts of the country with the state as its main base.

Pastor Onung commended Governor Imoke for creating the enabling environment and establishing the department of public transportation that coordinates the transport scheme in the state.

In an interview, Mr. Kanu Etekpi, manager of Canaan Cabs explained that the company will before December flood the state capital with over 150 taxi cabs to ensure a smooth transportation operation.

Etekpi explained that currently 50 taxi cabs had started plying different routes in Calabar and that the company had embarked on training its drivers to ensure that they meet the international standard, while the drivers also wear the same uniform, with each cab having first aid kits.

The company, according to him, will soon establish passengers’ insurance scheme for the welfare of passengers, adding that “the core values of Canaan Cabs are prompt, efficient and quality services, culture of excellence, integrity and professionalism, as well as commitment to customers’ satisfaction.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

4 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.