By: Atibile Williams
The vociferous Speaker, Cross River state House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Elvert Ayambem charged MTN Nigeria to mitigate communication gap in hinter communities of the state.
In a parley on Thursday with regional management staff of the communication giant at his office in Calabar, RT. Hon. Ayambem noted that rural dwellers are worst hit in terms of non access to network services. He opined that deliberate efforts be made to bridge the lacuna in view of the pivotal role of communication networks on socioeconomic and political advancement.
The amiable parliamentarian enthused that under his watch, the state Assembly will transform from analog to digital legislations in line with postmodern continuum. According to him
“As young crops of Assembly members, we need to be very innovative and value oriented.
MTN has added so much value to Nigeria and Cross River state. You are not getting these revenue without returning back with truck loads of socio cooperate responsibilities.
“However, you must think Ikom, Akamkpa, Bekwara, Yala, Boki, Biase and other rural communities of the state. These rural dwellers are going through a lot network wise because they truly need your network for communication purposes.
“As an Assembly, we need a functional WiFi that will aid our legislative duties. We intend to do e-legislations with our laptops and phones from the comfort of our offices.
“I want to assure you that whatever cooperation that is expected of us, under my leadership, you will get it. No matter how tasking your demand maybe including involving government of the day, we will fashion a way out so long as both ends will be happy from the collaboration.” He said
Speaking earlier, Regional Manager of the telecommunication guru, MTN Nigeria, ThankGod Otaba congratulated RT. Hon. Elvert Ayambem for electoral victory at polls and subsequent emergence as Assembly Speaker assuring him of his Cooperation renewed commitment to Cross River state in terms of network provision and timely socio cooperate responsibilities as done in previous epoch.
Otaba recounted the numerous interventions of MTN Nigeria in Cross River state to include renovation and equipping of General Hospitals, equipping of capital intensive dialysis center at the University of Calabar Teaching hospital, provision of operational vehicles for security agents in the state to curb insecurity, sponsorship of the biggest street party in Africa codenamed Carnival Calabar and sponsorship of fast growing Leboku festival in Yakurr local government area. He says
“MTN and Cross River state has a huge history. Today, we are beginning another journey with this new administration particularly from the legislative organ to foster and improve on the partnership that existed over time between MTN Nigeria and Cross River state. Facts on grounds shows that MTN invests more resources in Cross River than any other state in Nigeria.
“A testimony to this is the sponsorship of carnival Calabar reputed to be the biggest street party in Africa. MTN Nigeria has been a strong partner in solidifying ideals of the carnival.
The Leboku festival is another investment of MTN. We are partnering and sponsoring this festival to ensure the best is brought out from it.
“MTN foundation in the past renovated five General Hospitals in Cross River state feated with world class facilities.
A dialysis center that is capital intensive was upgraded in the state at the University of Calabar Teaching hospital, Calabar.
Currently, primary health center in Abi is fully rehabilitated with additional facilities by MTN.
“In the past, we donated operational vehicles to security agencies to curb insecurity in the state. Additionally, we donated transformers to the state for the purpose of eradicating darkness.
We look forward to a strong collaboration with this honourable House as an Arm of government to secure their blessings in favourable legislations that support the course of MTN. We as a cooperation are very mindful of Cross River state.
Going forward, MTN will partner more with the state.
“I want to congratulate you on your re-election as member representing Ikom 2 state constituency and subsequent emergence as speaker of the Cross River state House of Assembly. This is a prove of your dexterity, acceptability, capacity and sagacity across board.” The Regional Manager concluded.
