By: Ernest and Peter.
Governor Ben Ayade urges Participants at GRID³ workshop to Utilise Knowledge for State’s Development

…His Excellency approves 40,000 naira only for processing of C of O in Cross River State…
Cross River State Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade has urged participants at the Geo- Referenced Infrastructure and Demographic Data For Development (GRID3) training workshop for Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state to utilise the benefits of the workshop in the development of the State.
He stated this while declaring open a one week the workshop organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency in Calabar today.
Represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government Barr Tina Banku Agbor, Governor Ayade said the workshop has opened a new chapter in the determined effort to digitalise the State.
She recalled that the state was about the only state in the country with a full fledged ministry of Artificial Intelligence as a way to fast track digital operations in the state.

Barr Agbor regretted the dearth of verifiable data which would have enhanced proper planning adding that the importance of the workshop lies in aiding the state to establish needed data in major areas of demographic information about land, population, mineral deposits, health, education among others noting that the state and nation have huge potentials to attract foreign investment but however regretted that this was being hampered by lack of needed data.
In a welcome address the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of National Space Research and Development Agency represented by Dr. Matthew O. Adepoju noted that, The GRID³ Nigeria Project is the flagship of implementation in Nigeria with the Project Implementation Team domiciled at The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) charged with the responsibility of pursuing the development and application of space science and technology for socio-economic benefits of the nation.
“GRID³ Nigeria Project aims to increase access to data for use by State Government decision makers, as well as donors, non-profit organization and private sector partners in Nigeria through the continuous availability of a robust and up-to-date GRID³ geodatabase.”
“It also aims to increase capacity of data managers to make data available and integrated into planning processes for decision makers through Capacity building activities across the country,” He Said.
Also, Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of Cross River Geographic Information Agency, Sir. John Odo, thanked the organizers of the training for the choice of Cross River Geographic Information Agency which came up based on the fact that CRGIA is the only Geospatial Data Production Agency not only in the State but across South-South Nigeria.

The DG, however, commended the Governor, His Excellency, Ben Ayade for his enormous support given to the agency on its sustenance and success stories recorded within the term of this administration which are not limited to the,
“establishment of zonal office in Ikom & Ogoja to cover the Central & Northern Senatorial Districts respectively, equally, an approval of His Excellency, a fee of 40,000 naira only for processing of C of O in Cross River State and a waiver of 20% on payment of arrears of Ground Rent.”
Finally, Sir. John Odo, appealed to the Chairman, GRID³ Project implementation Team – Dr. Matthew O. Adepoju to communicate Cross River State needs for revamp of its data centre for an effective performance to the Hon. Minister for Finance, Budget & National Planning.
Participants at the training workshop are drawn from ministries, Departments and Agencies and are expected to develop capacity to use GRID3 data for organizational operations.