Cross River State Governor,Bassey Otu, has officially revoked the concession agreement granted to CIBA Construction Company Limited for the management of the renowned Obudu Cattle Ranch.
The termination was conveyed in a letter signed by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ededem Ani.
According to the letter, which was referenced by the News Agency of Nigeria, the decision stemmed from multiple breaches of the agreement by CIBA.
Ani highlighted the company’s failure to fulfill key development obligations outlined in Sections 5.0, 6.0, and 14.0(b) of the contract.
“These violations include the failure to invest in the renovation of the resort’s hotel and other essential components. Despite multiple breaches, CIBA continued to fall short, prompting the Cross River Government to terminate the agreement with immediate effect,” he stated.
Otu has since directed the Special Adviser and Chief Executive Officer of Obudu Ranch Resort, Mr. Sunday Michael, along with other key stakeholders, to initiate efforts toward revamping the facility.
Michael, confirming the termination of the 25-year concession that began in 2017 under the administration of Senator Ben Ayade, attributed the state government’s decision to CIBA’s inability to meet its contractual obligations.
Under the Public-Private Partnership model, CIBA was expected to design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the ranch, ultimately transforming it into a world-class destination.
However, its failure to do so led to the government’s intervention.
Obudu Cattle Ranch, also known as Obudu Mountain Resort, was originally developed in 1951 by Scottish rancher M. McCaughey.
It later underwent significant transformation under the administration of Donald Duke (1999–2007), who turned it into a major tourism hub.
Duke’s government rehabilitated the winding road to the hilltop, constructed scenic chalets, introduced aerial tramways (cable cars), and upgraded infrastructure to enhance the resort’s appeal.
Unfortunately, subsequent administrations failed to sustain these developments, leading to a decline in patronage and deterioration of facilities.
