Leaders of the Yakurr Nation in Cross River State have challenged Governor Bassey Edet Otu to address the poor broadcast coverage of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, in Ugep and other parts of Yakurr Local Government Area, saying residents have been cut off from vital government information.
The demand was made on Monday during the 21st edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival at the Yakurr Peace Stadium in Ugep, where the Obol Lopon Advisory Council, OLAC, called for urgent government intervention to expand the state broadcaster's reach to the area.
Presenting a speech on behalf of the Obol Lopon of Ugep, the Publicity Secretary of OLAC, Comrade Azikiwe Williams, said the council had repeatedly raised the issue without receiving the desired response.
“This is the second time we are demanding that the signal of Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, the state broadcasting station in Calabar, be extended to reach Yakurr,” Williams said.
According to him, the existing radio wavelength does not adequately cover Yakurr, leaving many residents unable to listen to government programmes or receive important information from the state.
“As it were, the radio wavelength does not cover Yakurr and we are denied the opportunity of listening and viewing government programmes,” he said.
Williams urged Governor Otu to establish a broadcast station or relay facility in Yakurr, arguing that such an investment would improve communication between the government and communities across the local government area.
“Let me appeal that efforts should be made to build a broadcast station in Yakurr to allow us to get information as the state government releases them,” he said.
He stressed that Yakurr remained central to the administration and deserved greater attention in the distribution of government infrastructure and information.
“This appeal is because Yakurr is indeed central to your administration,” Williams told the governor.
The traditional council also commended the Otu administration for ongoing road and infrastructure projects in parts of Yakurr but called for a wider spread of development projects to other communities.
Williams said communities contributing significantly to Cross River's agricultural and solid mineral resources should receive greater government attention.
“More of these infrastructures need to be extended to other Yakurr communities for even development, especially in communities where the bulk of agricultural produce and solid minerals are found and extracted,” he said.
The council further appealed for the renovation and upgrading of the Ugep Peace Stadium, including the provision of a standby generating set to improve its functionality.
The calls came as Yakurr hosted the 21st edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival, which has grown from a traditional harvest celebration into one of the state's major cultural and tourism events.
The 2026 festival was held under the theme, “Rooted in Culture, Growing in Prosperity.”
Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, described the festival as an important platform for promoting cultural identity, agriculture, tourism and economic development.
Otu also pledged N50 million for the renovation of the Ugep Peace Stadium.
The governor condemned the recent communal conflict involving Ugep and Idumi communities, warning that persistent violence could undermine tourism, investment and development in Yakurr.
He further warned that the government would not hesitate to withdraw recognition from traditional rulers in areas where peace had broken down.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Obi Ayuk Offor, said the state government was determined to position Leboku as an international tourism attraction.
He urged tourists and visitors to explore Ugep and other parts of Yakurr beyond the festival, citing the area's waterfalls, natural landscapes, heritage sites, traditional arts, music and dance as attractions capable of drawing visitors throughout the year.
Yakurr leaders believe that expanding the CRBC signal would complement the state's tourism and development agenda by ensuring that residents are better connected to government programmes while also providing the government with a stronger platform to showcase the cultural and economic potential of the area.
The traditional institution subsequently pledged its continued support for the Otu administration and urged the governor to give favourable consideration to the request for improved broadcasting infrastructure.
For the people of Yakurr, the demand is not simply about gaining access to radio and television programmes but about ensuring that communities are not left behind in the flow of government information and opportunities across Cross River State.
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