Cross River – Africa’s Warmest Welcome
Size and location
The State lies between latitudes 5 degree 32 and 4 degree 27 North and longitude 7 degree 50 and 9 degree 28 East. However, the Obudu and Obanliku Plateau with an altitude of 1,575.76 Meters above sea level enjoys a climate typical of the temperate regions of the world.
The State has an area of 23,072,425 square kilometre with a population of over 3 million people. It has an Atlantic Coastline of 12 square kilometre and a total Coastal area of 10,000 square kilometre.
The Cross River State derives its name from the Cross River which transcends almost the entire length of the State and empties into the Atlantic (covering an area of 39,000 square kilometer).
Population
The population of Cross River State is over 3 million according to 2006 National Census statistics. The total labour force is over 1.5 million workers which represent approximately 51% of the total population. Cross River State is characterized by its social and economic stability because of consistence peaceful and friendly nature of the people and its serene and clean environment.
Weather
The State lies geographically in a mangrove region, its climate is characterized by humid tropical climate (1300 3000mm rain fall; 30°C mean annual temperatures) prevail over Cross River State, except on the Obudu Plateau, where the climate is sub temperate, with temperatures of 15°C 23°C
Cross River soils are predominantly of five types. These are: (i) the steep, shallow, yellowish and red gravely soils on the Oban Obudu Hills; (ii) the deep lateritic, fertile soils on the Cross River Plain; (iii) the dark clayey basaltic soils in Ikom; (iv) the sandy, heavily leached soils on the older coastal plain which are highly susceptible to gully erosion; and (v) the swampy hydromorphic soils of the lower deltaic coastal plain that is usually floated during the rains
Public Sector
The public sectors consist of the Executive, Judiciary and the legislative.
- The Executive
Executive powers reside in the Executive Council that comprises State Governor (as Chairman) and the Deputy both elected for tenure of 4 years.
The Executive arm is concerned with governance and implementation of programmes of government as appropriated for by the Legislature.
- Judiciary
Cross River State Judiciary is the THIRD ARM of government with clearly defined constitutional functions. Such functions include interpretation of the Constitution and other Laws and Statutes, definition of citizens’ rights, settlement of disputes, and protecting these weak and vulnerable groups.
- Legislature
Legislative power in the State lies with the State House of Assembly (SHA) composed of elected constituency members and assisted by support staff.
Cross River State House of Assembly has 25 members who are elected for tenures of 4 years to represent the 25 State constituencies through duly registered political parties. The main function of the House of Assembly is Law Making
Private Sector
Cross River State private sector represents a unique model amongst the State of the region as a result of FDI and DDI success stories over the years.
Since the inception of democracy from 1999 to date, the government in collaboration with the private sector and other stakeholders has developed a vibrant and sophisticated economy with strong infrastructure and political stability. The private sector represents an important component of the State modern history.
History records that Businessmen , traders, and the private sector took a number of initiatives that marked out their breath of vision and ability to forecast the future despite the long dominance of military governance and modest resources available at the time when these initiatives where launched. These lead to the establishment of the vibrant institutions such as the Calabar Chambers of Commerce and Industries, amongst others.
The focus in recent years for Cross River State private sector activity has been in key areas, such as: Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Health, Energy and Power, Oil and Gas, Education, ICT, Infrastructure and Services.
Institutions
Since its emergence, Cross River State has continuously adopted a policy of openness and intercommunication with the international and National institutions. Its an active member, participant and beneficiary in many international, national and regional institutions. Prominent amongst these institutions is the World Association of Investment Promotion Agency (WAIPA), where Cross River State Investment Promotion Bureau is the only member from Nigeria.
Hospitality
Cross River State Hospitality Industry is noted in providing comfort and guidance to strangers, tourist and business delegates and investors.
The State Hospitality industry consists of world standard hotels, studios, resorts, restaurants, cinema, clubs and casinos.
Some of the key industries with international reputation are Obudu Mountain Resort, Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Marina resort, Transcorb Metropolitan Hotel, amongst others.
Tourism
From the soaring plateaus of the mountain tops of Obudu to the Rain forests of Afi, from the Waterfalls of Agbokim and Kwa to the spiralling ex-bow, Cross river (which provides sights sand images of Tinapa business resort, Calabar Marina Resort, Residency Museum and Slave Park along its course), lies a paradise waiting to be explored by the adventurous eco-tourist visiting Cross River State.
In line with the objectives of Governor of the state, Prof. Ben Ayade, to mix business with pleasure while boosting the economy of the state, several facilities including Tinapa Leisure and business Resort sprung up and also exciting, entertaining and enlightening activities are organized and held.
One of such activities is the Calabar Carnival.
The Obudu Mountain Race, which holds annually in the last weekend of November, has also brought international acclaim to the state. The race which covers a distance of 11.25km and at 500ft above sea level is now a major event in the world’s calendar of World Mountain Race Association as well as the International Association of Athletic Federations. This attracts visitors and investors from all over the world to the state leading to generation of revenue which in turn boosts the state’s economy. The hospitality sector which booms with regard to the aforementioned accounts for 5.9% of the State’s GDP. It experiences continuous growth with the increasing trend of seasonal domestic holidays amongst the upper and middle classes in the social strata of Nigeria.
Summarily, Cross River state epitomizes the nation’s linguistic and cultural plurality and is currently the leading tourism state in Nigeria. Cross River state is indeed a haven of beauty and grandeur.
