Stormy Rain Wreaks Havoc at Bakassi Returnees IDPs camp in Cross River

From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Akwa Ikot Eyo Edem

A stormy rain which occurred in the early hours of Thursday damaged parts of the building within housing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or Bakassi returnees in Cross River.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent on Thursday that rooftops were damaged causing extensive leakages and flooding in parts of the residential areas within the school blocks in the refugee camp

Contacted on the development the State Emergency Relief Agency (SEMA) told NAN that it is aware of the incident and assured that it is poised to immediately fix the problem.

Mr John Inaku, the Director- General of SEMA, who spoke through the agency’s Assistant Director, Information, Mr David Akate, said SEMA is aware of the problem.

“There are some leakages which affected their bedding following a wind storm. We are making frantic efforts to carry out repairs immediately,” Akate said

Also contacted, Mr Etim Okon Ene, the camp leader further confirmed the development

He said: “Yes, today even in the school where we are camped for years now at Akwa Ikot Eyo Edem. Rain storm has meted another level of pains on us. Our bedding are flooded and soaked with water. The roofing sheets have given way with anger following a rain storm, and water runs throughout the classrooms. Please come to our aid. We don’t even know how to request or respond to calamity anymore as it is becoming our popular identity. Please come and help us again.

In another development Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has restated his administration’s resolve to punish communities that allow internal disputes with neighbours to lead to bloodshed.

Ayade gave the warning when he delivered some relief materials to victims of communal disputes over farmlands in Oyoba and Ehiteze communities in Ukelle North Area of the state.

The governor who spoke through Inaku who delivered the items on Ayade’s behalf to the affected people said the gesture was principally humanitarian.

He said the gesture should not be regarded as being supportive or encouragement of communal conflicts.

He said that his administration had concluded plans to deal decisively with leaders of warring communities as a deterrent to others.

He advised that disputes should always be handled with maturity through dialogue rather than resorting to barbaric methods to achieve selfish goals.

The items were received by the Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Mr Mike Usibe, for distribution to the victims of the conflict.

Property worth millions of Naira and residential buildings were destroyed by warring factions within the affected communities.