Niger Delta

Reps Laud Ayade On Basic Education Milestones

Published

8 years ago

July 26, 2017

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education have commended Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for the achievements recorded in the basic education sub-sector and efforts geared towards improving the standard of education in the State.
The committee made this known during a 2-day visit to monitor the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) projects, as part of its oversight function.
The team leader, Hon. Istifanus Dung Gyang said that one of the objectives of the exercise was to ensure that there is efficiency and effectiveness in the management and execution of government programmes and projects, as well as promote public accountability.
According to Gyang, “we are here on one of the critical tripod functions of the National Assembly, which is the oversight function. The objective of this visit is to ensure compliance of MDAs by legislative intent as captured in the appropriation act. It is also an opportunity to evaluate programmes and projects performance implementation to check waste and ensure cost effectiveness.”
He said the committee would also focus on the utilization of counterpart funds under basic education, saying; “We are here to see what Cross River State has done so far with the counterpart funds you have assessed and to see how we can assist you to do more.”
Commending the governor’s efforts in providing counterpart funds to enable the state access matching grant for five years (2012 – 2016), Hon Gyang said this laudable gesture was highly commendable and goes to demonstrate the passion Governor Ben Ayade has for the Basic Education sub-sector.
According to him, “we appreciate the passion of the governor in being up to date in accessing the matching grants and deploying funds appropriately,” adding that “some states are in arrears of over 2-4years, but Cross River State is different. We are impressed with what we have seen on ground, the standard of work is something that is commendable and exemplary.”
“We have seen the investment in infrastructure, we have seen the customised plastic tables and chairs the environment is conducive for learning, so we urge you to do more to develop the capacity of your teachers to enable them live up to their responsibilities,” he stated.
Responding, the Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Dr Stephen Odey noted that the board through the instrumentality of Governor Ben Ayade has been able to assess its matching grant from 2012-2015, and that of 2016 has also been accessed and awaiting procurement process
“We came on board to take charge of this office based on the fact that Governor Ben Ayade who is passionate about education charged us to leave no stone unturned in improving the Basic Education sector. When we came on board on October 12th, 2015, we discovered that Cross River State was unable to access its matching grant from 2012 – 2015, without hesitation His Excellency released funds to the Board and we were able to access the backlog of 2012-2015 matching grant,” he maintained
“Consequently, 237 projects were awarded in December 2016, 27 of which have been completed and handed over to the Board; 51,600 customized plastic tables and chairs have also been purchased and distributed, we have also tried to phase out the use of chalk boards by introducing magnetic boards through the purchase of 778 magnetic boards,” he said.
Continung, he stressed, “in order to boost our project monitoring team, we have been able to purchase 4 Hilux vehicles and 1 Prado Jeep to enable us monitor projects. We are also working on a world class British-Canadian International Model School in Obudu and the groundbreaking ceremony will be done by the governor and the Executive Secretary of UBEC soon,” he added.
He said; “When we came on board, 2011 matching grant had been accessed, procurement was done by the previous administration, award letters were issued but it was not implemented. So we came in to implement what was awarded, 97 projects were awarded under 2011 UBE Intervention, excluding plastic table and chairs, 76 of those projects have been completed and handed over to the board.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.