Ayade Appoints 3 State Security Advisers As Water Board, DOPT Get New Heads

By Jonathan Ugbal: Government House Correspondent

Governor Ben Ayade has appointed Barrister Ekpo Ada, as the new Managing Director, Cross River State Water Board limited,

The governor also shocked pundits by returning the sacked Managing Director, Dr. Godwin Igile, as Chairman of the Board.

Igile was sacked following allegations of financial impropriety in early 2018 with the Executive Chairman of the State’s Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Stephen Odey directed to take over in March 2018 about six weeks after Mr. Igile had denied his sack, claiming that he was been audited.

And, a statement issued by Mr. Ayade’s spokesman, Mr. Christian Ita said the Governor has approved his appointment.

The Governor also decentralised the position of the State Security Adviser (SSA) with each senatorial district to have one.

A former Chairman of Bakassi local government area, Mr. Ani Esin, has been appointed SSA South, while Mr. Leo Inyambe, has also been appointed SSA, North.

Mr. Godwin Nyam, a former senatorial aspirant in the PDP, has also been appointed as Director General of the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT).

“The Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade has approved the decentralization of the operations of the office of the State’s Security Adviser,” the statement read

It continued: “Consequently, His Excellency has approved the appointment of Honorable Ani Esin as the State Security Adviser-South.

“In a related development, His Excellency has also approved the appointment of Mr. Godwin Igile as the new Chairman, Cross River State Water Board Limited. The appointments are with immediate effect.”

The appointments of new SSA’s may have confirmed reports that Mr. Ayade is not comfortable with his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Mr. Williams Etim-Bassey taking over from Mr. Jude Ngaji who resigned as State Security Adviser SSA, to contest as Member, representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the 2019 general elections.

Mr. Ngaji is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC and is expected to give incumbent and first term lawmaker, Hon. Jarigbe Agom a tough fight.

And, government house sources say Mr. Ayade still views Mr. Etim-Bassey as a core disciple of his predecessor, Senator Liyel Imoke. Etim-Bassey was a Personal Assistant to Mr. Imoke on communication and CrossRiverWatch gathered that he was given limited access to the planning of the security architecture of the State under Mr. Ayade despite expectations to the contrary.

Mr. Ita’s statement was however silent on when the SSA for the central district will be appointed.