Cross River Intensifies effort to resettle displaced Bakassi People (10/6/08)

The Cross River State Government has restated its determination to reintegrate the displaced people of Bakassi Local government before the August 2008 deadline which the remaining parts of the area will be finally ceded to Republic of Cameroon.

While laying the foundation for the New Bakassi Resettlement Area at Ekpri Ikang on recently, Governor Liyel Imoke urged the people to have hope in government in its effort to erase the traumatic conditions which they have experienced through no faults of theirs, adding that government is working under considerable pressure to ensure that the target is met.

Imoke disclosed that the first phase of the resettlement programme will involve the construction of 200 housing units, council secretariat and staff quarters, schools, health centre but that the challenge facing them goes beyond construction but to provide a means of livelihood for those who opted for resettlement as well as provide them with social infrastructure and amenities in a land that is different in ecology from where they were moved from.

The governor explained that a committee headed by an indigene of the area and Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has been saddled with the responsibility to ensure that the deadline is achieved to enable them get medicine, children get schools and fishermen have access to fishing tools and engage in fishing, expressing that what was seen at site was reflective of the commitment shown to get the people fully settled.

He commended those involved in the project for their harmonious relationship exhibited to ensure that they remain in the most organized and conducive resettlement anywhere in the world while urging them to remain peaceful and be their brother keepers.

The Commissioner for Lands Mr. Edem Effiom Ekong whose Ministry is in charge of the resettlement project, said the location of Bakassi in Akpabuyo was through consultations between the people of Bakassi and Ikang which tuned to be as smooth and less traumatic transfer, describing the housing project as the smallest part of the process of resettling the people.

Ekong disclosed that compensation is being worked out for those whose property were destroyed to ensure that government gives the displaced people a new lease of life and livelihood, explaining that though indigenes of the State were fully involved in the Construction project, quality and due process are not compromised while thanking Imoke for ensuring that would be difficulties are eliminated by contractors face.

The Commissioner stated that vibrated blocks were made available to contractors as none was expected to mould his own, and temporary waiver given to them on stamp duty which would be paid later after deduction from source, hoping that government’s gesture will be reciprocated by the communities and the contractors would not cut corners.

Government House Press