758 Foreigners Stranded at Calabar Sea Port Evacuated By Road—SEMA Official
FeaturedNigeria January 4, 2016 Dianabasi Effiong
Inaku
Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
A statement by Cross River Emergency relief Agency (SEMA) Saturday in Calabar said the stranded foreigners who left Gabon to Benin Republic were evacuated by road to their various countries.
According to the statement by Mr. David Akate, Deputy Director, Information, at SEMA nationals of Togo; Burkina Faso; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Ghana; Mali; Niger; and Guinea are being evacuated.
It stated said that the foreign nationals were forced to terminate their journey when Emiliana-Carneiro, sea-going passenger vessel made an emergency berthing at the Calabar port.
Akate stated that one of the engines of the vessel reportedly “malfunctioned and a leakage on the floor of the ship was observed”.
He also stated: “Over 10 buses conveying the passengers were escorted by Immigration, police and other security agents.
“While in the port facilities, the state government through its humanitarian outfit, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) provided them with food, water, blankets, toiletries and health needs for the sick and pregnant women. The Director General of the agency, Mr. John Inaku who spent time interacting with people wished them a safe transit through the state and the country to their various destinations.”
Akate said that Inaku commended the Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River, for responded promptly by providing those affected with the essentials for their comfort while in the state.
Reacting Mohammed Buhari (36) from Niger said that the gesture of the Cross River Government was overwhelming and that the negative pictures painted about Nigeria abroad lacked merit and truth.He described Nigerians as friendly, accommodating and sensitive to the wellbeing of human beings.
One of the foreigners, Abdulsalam Isa (69) also said that he was surprised that the state and the Nigerian government could be so hospitable contrary to the wrong notion he had hitherto held.He said it was not the fault of the Nigerian Government that they made an emergency berthing in Calabar. It did not deter the government from showing humanitarian gestures and love by their approach and dexterity to our situation,” Isa said.
Other passengers who spoke with journalists said that initially they were angry with the development which caused them to miss the celebration of the yuletide with their families.
Dianabasi Effiong
