SEMA reassures of permanent resettlement for Bakassi returnees

From Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar

Thousands of displaced Bakassi people settling in refugee camps within Cross River have been reassured of a permanent resettlement in areas where they can ply their fishing trade.

Mr John Inaku, Director-General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), gave the assurance in an interview in Calabar.

He said that the returnees wished for a permanent resettlement in Dayspring Islands to carry on as professional fishing folk but that not immediately realisable due to harsh economic realities.

According to him the Cross River Government has been giving succour in addition to plans to provide social housing scheme and alternative source of livelihood for the internally displaced persons.

Inaku said: “The issue of Bakassi returnees is not the sole responsibility of Cross River State. It is a national issue as well as an international issue. So far it is Cross River that has been doing its best to provide materials, food, medicals, even educational for these people.

“But again you know how lean our resources are but the Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has been able to make available some multi-billion Naira to cater for the internally displaced persons. Recently the governor had been with them and promised to build up the area through a social housing scheme in conjunction with a group from Dortmund, Germany.

“The UN high Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and CR-SEMA has to also build. On that note we are going to have a lot. Already 30 hectares of land has been allotted to us and the governor has deployed the ministry of Lands and the Cadastral to mark up the area for a layout.”

He said that Mr Emmanuel Dick (75), a returnee at Akwa Ikot Eyo Edem camp in Akpabuyo who recently died in a forest has been found and given a befitting burial.

He said the man died while scavenging for Afang (local edible salad/vegetable) at Adik Ayase, near Ikpa Nkanya.

Inaku said: “He went out there to source for food because of hunger. But it was unfortunate that it was after three days that we found him and we have since buried him.

“I feel that the state government is doing the best it can to provide succour for the displaced Bakassi returnees.They are our people. They voted for us and we, therefore, have a responsibility to cater for them as a government.

“But first, let us give them a place to stay. They need a place to stay. They cannot remain for years in a hall in a Primary and a Secondary School that is their camp. They desire a decent place to stay and thereafter relocated to Dayspring Islands for their fishing. While here they are into farming, they can on their own use light canoes to continue with their trade.

“For now if the Nigerian economy improves we can provide them a home at Dayspring. We will urge individuals, donor agencies and well-meaning people to assist these people and give them a place of their own.”