Governor Bassey Otu Revokes CIBA’s 25-Year Concession for Obudu Cattle Ranch Citing Contract Breaches, Orders Immediate Restoration of the Resort
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has revoked the concession agreement with CIBA Construction Company Limited for the management of Obudu Cattle Ranch.
The termination, conveyed in a letter signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Ani, cited multiple contract breaches by CIBA. According to Ani, the company failed to fulfill key obligations, including renovations outlined in Sections 5.0, 6.0, and 14.0(b) of the agreement.
“Despite repeated violations, CIBA neglected its duty to invest in the resort’s infrastructure, forcing the government to take decisive action,” Ani stated.
Following the revocation, Governor Otu directed the Special Adviser and CEO of Obudu Ranch Resort, Sunday Michael, to oversee efforts to restore the facility.
The 25-year concession, granted in 2017 under former Governor Ben Ayade’s administration, aimed to redevelop the ranch under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). However, persistent neglect led to its termination.
Established in 1951 by Scottish rancher M. McCaughey, Obudu Cattle Ranch was transformed into a premier tourist destination by Governor Donald Duke’s administration (1999–2007). Duke’s upgrades included improved road access, chalets, and cable cars. However, successive administrations failed to maintain the resort, leading to its decline.
With this latest move, the Cross River government seeks to restore the once-thriving tourist attraction.
(NAN)
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