The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Erasmus Ekpang, has provided an update on the rehabilitation of the Chronicle newspaper building, which was damaged during the 2020 EndSARS protests. He shared these developments during a press briefing in Calabar, marking his one-year anniversary in office.
Reflecting on the state of the Information Ministry when he assumed his role, Ekpang noted that the ministry faced significant challenges, including low staffing levels, inadequate equipment, and unreliable power supply. He described these conditions as “demotivating,” but emphasized that the ministry has made considerable progress under his leadership.
One of the key achievements highlighted by Ekpang is the procurement of equipment worth approximately N240 million for the renovation of the Chronicle newspaper. He explained that these items have been purchased, although they are yet to be delivered. The Commissioner reassured that the process of acquiring these equipment is ongoing, with the expectation that they will soon arrive to support the newspaper’s restoration.
“These equipments are procured but yet to be delivered, but as I speak the process is on for those equipment to come, but it has been approved”.
Ekpang also underscored the ministry’s efforts in generating revenue for the state government, particularly through agencies like the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC). He emphasized the transparency of the current administration under Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and its commitment to reviving the state-owned media infrastructure.
Addressing the timeline for the Chronicle newspaper’s renovation, the Commissioner revealed that the Ministry of Lands is currently working on a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) to establish a benchmark for open tendering. He estimated the renovation costs to be around N400 million, although he cautioned that this figure is not yet finalized. Ekpang expressed confidence that once the proposal is presented to the Executive Council (EXCO), it will likely be approved, as the governor is highly committed to the project.
Looking ahead, Ekpang assured that he will continue to engage with stakeholders both within and beyond the state to ensure the successful completion of the Chronicle’s renovation. He emphasized that the Governor has already approved the submission of a memo for the renovation of the Cross River Printing Press and the Chronicle Newspaper.
In his remarks, Ekpang also praised the work being done by CRBC, especially its outreach efforts extending as far as Ikom. However, he acknowledged challenges such as the need for increased airtime and the high cost of daily diesel supply. Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence in the ministry’s ability to overcome them with the continued support of Governor Otu.
