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EPL Dateline: Major Deals Announced By Premier League Clubs

As the transfer window slams shut, Premier League clubs have been in a frenzy, finalising their squads for the season ahead. From last-minute signings to surprise...

African Countries And Their Capitals-parliamentvanguard.com

News4 months ago

African Countries And Their Capitals

Have you ever tried to name all the countries in Africa? It’s harder than you think! With 54 diverse nations spanning the second-largest continent, Africa is...

The Cross River State House of Assembly has launched an investigation into the ownership status of the Transcorp Hotel, following concerns over the lack of transparency and documentation surrounding its management and alleged concession. The investigation was carried out by a Special Committee formed to resolve the lingering questions about whether Transcorp Hotel remains a property of the Cross River State Government or if it was concessioned to private entities. The Committee's primary objective was to determine the terms and conditions of any such concession and whether the current management is fulfilling the obligations outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). However, the investigation has been hampered by the absence of crucial documents and substantial evidence. According to the Committee's report, neither the management of Transcorp Hotel nor that of the Metropolitan Hotel has provided the necessary documentation to clarify the transaction between the Cross River State Government and Transcorp. An oversight visit by the Committee to the hotel on August 27, 2024, making it the third visit yielded no results, as the required documents were still not presented. David Amiye Esq, the Executive Secretary of the State Privatization Council, testified before the Committee, stating that when he assumed office, no handover notes or documents related to the hotel's ownership were provided to him. He suggested that any transaction might have taken place during the tenure of Chief Ndoma Egba, who served as Executive Secretary during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke. The Ministry of Justice also failed to provide conclusive information, revealing only that, as of 2022, the State Government had planned to buy over Transcorp through the Metropolitan Hotel and concession it to Reserved Hotel Limited. However, the Ministry could not confirm whether this plan was executed. The State Accountant-General corroborated the lack of transparency, confirming that no remittances had been made by Transcorp to the State Government's treasury. The Committee's report raised concerns about the involvement of Mrs. Onari Duke, the former First Lady of the State, who is currently the Managing Director of the hotel. Despite efforts by the Committee to obtain explanations and relevant documents from her, no information has been forthcoming. The Committee further noted that the change of the hotel's name from Transcorp to Metropolitan Hotel was made without the involvement of the State Privatization Council or the Bureau of Public-Private Partnership. It also revealed that, since the administration of Governor Donald Duke, no payments have been made by Transcorp to the Cross River State Government. The committee thereby directed the Attoney-General/Commissioner for Justice to take legal steps to seal up Transcorp/Metropolitan with immediate effect pending when their documents would be made available for scrutiny by the Special Committee. Reacting to the findings, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly expressed deep concern over the situation. Hon. Ovat Agbor, representing Obubra 1 State Constituency, urged the State Government to take immediate action to reclaim state-owned properties. "What belongs to the State should be returned appropriately," he stated. Hon. Francis Ogban, representing Biase, criticized the previous administration for its lack of due process in the concession of the hotel. He called on the government to ensure that the property is returned to the State, so citizens can benefit from the employment opportunities. Hon. Egbe Abeng, representing Obubra 2, emphasized that all state properties belong to the people and must be recovered. "No one is more Cross Riverian than another," he said, stressing that the State's assets should be safeguarded for the benefit of all citizens. In his remarks, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, condemned the appropriation of state properties by individuals, declaring that such actions are unacceptable. "Cross River State properties do not belong to any family members but to the Cross River State Government and its citizens," he said. The Speaker assured that the 10th Assembly would continue to work towards repositioning the State on the right trajectory to fully achieve the "People’s First" agenda. Cc: MetrowireNewsBlog

Politics4 months ago

C’River Assembly Directs Immediate Sealing of Transcorp/Metropolitan Hotel

The Cross River State House of Assembly has launched an investigation into the ownership status of the Transcorp Hotel, following concerns over the lack of transparency...

C'River Lawmakers Calls For Payment Of Timber Royalty To Forest Communities-parliamentvanguard.com

Environment4 months ago

C’River Lawmakers Calls For Payment Of Timber Royalty To Forest Communities

By, Itam Offor Cross River Lawmakers have urged the state government to commence the payment of royalty to Forest Communities in the State in line with...

Nollywood Actress, Sharon Okpamen Passes On After Childbirth-parliamentvanguard.com

Entertainment4 months ago

Nollywood Actress, Sharon Okpamen Passes On After Childbirth

Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the passing of a film producer, Sharon Okpamen. The news of her demise was shared on social media by...

Police Confirms 2 Officers Dead, 3 Unconscious As Shiites Launch Fresh Attack In Abuja-parliamentvanguard.com

News4 months ago

Police Confirms 2 Officers Dead, 3 Unconscious As Shiites Launch Fresh Attack In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has confirmed that two officers died while three others are currently unconscious following an attack by members of the...

Israel Declares 48Hrs State Of Emergency As Tel-Aviv, Hezbollah Fires Dozens Of Rockets At Each Other

News4 months ago

Israel Declares 48Hrs State Of Emergency As Tel-Aviv, Hezbollah Fires Dozens Of Rockets At Each Other

According to Al Jazeera English, Israel and Hezbollah have intensified their hostilities, leading to the declaration of a 48-hour state of emergency in Israel. This escalation...

Leboku-Festival-parliamentvanguard.com_.jpg

Entertainment4 months ago

UNICROSS Ikpi, UNICAL Kokolu Emerges 2024 Mr. And Miss Leboku Festival

…As Otu Promises To Make Event Better Traditional African culture was at crescendo during 19th edition of Leboku Festival which featured aesthetical dances from cultural troops,...

Abia Governor Otti Reshuffles Cabinet, Splits Ministries in Major Overhaul

News4 months ago

Abia Governor Otti Reshuffles Cabinet, Splits Ministries in Major Overhaul

In a bold move to streamline the state’s bureaucracy and enhance service delivery, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has carried out a major...

NJC Recommends Kekere-Ekun for Appointment as CJN

News4 months ago

NJC Recommends Kekere-Ekun for Appointment as CJN

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has unanimously recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria. This decision...