We'll Work With Opposition - Imoke

Source: OUR REPORTER - thewillnigeria.com
PHOTO: CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNOR, MR LIYEL IMOKE.
PHOTO: CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNOR, MR LIYEL IMOKE.


CALABAR, CROSS RIVER, June 02, (THEWILL) - The Peoples Democratic Party Government in Cross River State says it will continue to interact with opposition parties for the development of the state.


Reacting to comments made by Hon Cletus Obun State Chairman of Action Congress (AC) during a Special Town Hall Meeting to mark the 2010 Democracy Day and 11 years of uninterrupted democracy in the state, Governor Imoke said the State believes in a collective contribution aimed at developing the state to create jobs and wealth for the benefit of the citizenry.


The Governor stated that all the parties were given the opportunity to celebrate the day as well as given space and accommodation to speak, so that they wouldn’t say they have been schemed out of issues concerning the state.


Imoke reasoned that politics is not a winner takes all, as those in opposition equally have a role to play rather than being critical of all that the governor does, saying that every one contesting the forth coming elections in the state will be given equal opportunity to participate.


He therefore enjoined members of other political parties to commence their campaign rather than wait to challenge the results of elections†in courts when they are out, emphasizing "I will ensure the that field is level for all to come out and contest, so begin your campaign now."


The Governor debunked reports that certain areas have been ignored in the state’s development plan because they have been identified as hometown of those in opposition, saying every nook and cranny of the state has been earmarked and included in its various development plans especially rural communities.


Imoke disclosed that a committee headed by the Deputy Governor has been constituted to look into the problems of the internally displaced people in the state, adding that the state intends to address the issues of border communities aggressively because of the simple reason that they do not know where they belong as it will liaise with them and establish their priorities as well as deal with them comprehensively.


On roads, Imoke remarked that the State through its Rural Development Agency (RUDA) and Rural Access Mobility Programme (RAMP) intend to construct 475 kilometres of road under its second phase, saying that contract worth seven billion naira has been awarded for the rehabilitation of the Calabar – Ikom – Ogoja road while the road to Owambe village, Boki LGA off Boki – Obudu road will be taken over by RUDA.


On education, he called for a strong partnership between the state and local governments for the running of the primary school system to be meaningful and successful as the reopening of the State College of Education, Akamkpa will enhance the quality of teachers to be employed while a strong collaboration between state, local Government and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will strengthen the curriculum.


The Governor said the State will continue to see that first class graduates of CRUTECH are given scholarships to study abroad and the 40 students of the state origin reading overseas will continue to receive their scholarship with the understanding that they will work for the state after graduation.


He, however, regretted that the channel of awarding bursary has been abused and students should work with government to address the issue as those not in school and non-indigenes benefitted while calling on youth oriented organizations to be non partisan, carry the youths along and shun electoral malpractices and cultism.


Imoke commended the labour for its support and integrity as the strongest partner for understanding the challenges which the state is facing, adding that it will continue to build on that relationship.


The Governor explained that the state could not implement the five percent increase in wage in the first three months this year which it intends to address soon and appealed to other unions to consider the plight of government before threatening to go on strike because when they do, it will not change the extreme hardship the state is facing.


CALABAR TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS, NIGERIA COUNCIL, (NAICE 2010)


The Annual International Conference and Exhibition of Society of Petroleum Engineers, Nigerian Council, will hold at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, from July 31st to August 7th, 2010.
This was disclosed in Calabar Tuesday, after a meeting between the Local Organizing Committee led by Mr. Anthony Abolarin and the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke.


The theme of the conference will be "Meeting the World’s Energy Supply and Demand Mix:† The Role of Africa."


Governor Imoke praised the decision of the society to hold the International Conference in Calabar, saying that "the partnership is strategic to our objective of creating a service hub for the petroleum industry in the proposed Energy City project."


Mr. Anthony Abolarin, Chairman of the Nigerian Council of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, while briefing the Governor on preparations so far, expressed his delight with the partnership with Cross River State, stating that "it is a win-win situation that signals the commencement of a potentially viable collaborative partnership."


Invited participants for this 7-day conference include the President of Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria. His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is expected to be the Chief Host, according to statement by the Chief Press Secretary/S.A Media to the Cross River State governor, Mr. Patrick Ugbe.