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DE RUEHUJA #1924/01 2061428
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P 251428Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
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INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHFMISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001924 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON PGOV NI
SUBJECT: CALABAR: NIGERIA'S MODEL CITY 
 
 
¶1.  Summary.  Emboffs in mid-July visited Calabar in Cross 
Rivers State and were pleasantly surprised to find a Nigerian 
city that was clean, functional, and bustling with new 
business ventures.  Unlike its underdeveloped and 
poorly-governed neighbors in the Niger Delta and elsewhere, 
Calabar stands out as a city providing a better quality of 
life for its inhabitants and enticing investment 
opportunities for outsiders.  Emboff interlocutors uniformly 
credited Governor Donald Duke for the city's progress and 
when solicited, gave a ringing endorsement to Duke's ambition 
for higher office.  End summary. 
 
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Tidy and Well-Managed 
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¶2.   Widely considered to be the cleanest city in the 
country, Calabar seems to have an uncommonly effective waste 
management program for a major metropolitan area in Nigeria. 
Local residents appear to have a lot of pride in their tidy 
city and made several references to its reputation for 
cleanliness in discussions with Emboffs. There are scores of 
"Keep Calabar Clean" trash cans scattered throughout the city 
and garbage trucks routinely picking up trash on the main 
avenues.  Unlike other cities in Nigeria, Emboffs noted that 
most of the water ducts were devoid of rubbish and 
consequently probably much more efficient in reducing 
flooding during rainstorms. 
 
¶3.  Calabar,s water delivery system also appears to be 
exceptional.  Paddy Prendergast, general manager of the 
Mirage Hotel, told Emboffs that he has had no problem with 
getting water in his hotel and noted that it was "potable." 
He emphasized that the quality of the water delivered by the 
Cross Rivers Water Board was much better than his hotel,s 
back-up supply of borehole water.  This is rarely the case in 
other major cities where the borehole supply is considered to 
be the more pristine and reliable source of water.  Even the 
military has had positive things to say about the water 
supply.  This month the commander for the 13th army brigade 
in Calabar publicly thanked the water board for five years of 
uninterrupted service.  The head of the water board 
graciously responded and asked for the 10 million naira past 
due for the services. 
 
¶4.  Equally notable is the Cross Rivers Broadcast Company 
which, in addition to its radio broadcast, provides over the 
air television broadcasts of CNN, Friends, and Nigerian 
television.  A reliable, well-run state television station is 
practically unheard of in the rest of Nigeria and is another 
testament to the uniqueness of this state. 
 
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Blame Governor Duke for this Success Story 
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¶5.  Most of the praise for these promising developments 
appears to belong to the state,s young Governor Donald Duke. 
 Only in his forties, Duke is widely recognized for improving 
the business climate in Cross Rivers and even reducing crime. 
 Prendergast was effuse in his endorsement of Duke as an 
effective and visionary Governor in Nigeria.  He credited 
Duke with improving relations with the police, maintaining 
superior roads, and developing new business opportunities. 
In addition to the Tinapa Business resort (Ref A), 
Prendergast cited the opening of a large cement plant in 
Calabar as tangible evidence of improved business climate 
under Duke's leadership. 
 
¶6.  The Governor,s State Security Advisor had similar 
remarks to Emboffs in a subsequent meeting, saying that Duke 
was attempting to expand Cross River,s traditional sources 
of revenue-generation beyond the civil service and 
subsistence agriculture.  The Governor plans to station 
police on the main roads to Tinapa and the Calabar Free Trade 
Zone to improve security and boost investor confidence.  He 
has also contacted Motorola about setting up better 
communication infrastructure to attract international and 
regional businessmen. 
 
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Comment 
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¶7.  Although none of Emboffs meetings were focused on 
national politics and next year's elections, it was difficult 
to visit such a well-run city and not considered the 
 
ABUJA 00001924  002 OF 002 
 
 
potential benefits of a Duke presidency or vice-presidency. 
The Governor is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate 
for the ruling party.  His detractors say he is too young and 
not a serious contender, and critics point to several attacks 
on opposition members and questionable real estate deals 
involving Duke and his family.  Still, the prospects of 
electing a governor from the Niger Delta with a proven track 
record for good governance is too alluring to dismiss out of 
hand.  While it may be too early to predict whether Duke has 
a real chance, its clear that that he is one of the most 
appealing candidates out there. 
FUREY