by crossriverwatch admin
The Paramount Ruler of Bakassi, Etiyin Etim Okon Edet has expressed hope that the Presidential Committee on the Resettlement of Bakassi refugees headed by the Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, will be the last of such and will succeed in putting smiles back to the faces of his people.
Speaking when the federal government delegation of the Bakassi resettlement committee visited the traditional rulers of Bakassi at Ekpri- Ikang on Friday, the Bakassi paramount Ruler who doubles as the Chairman of Cross River State Council of Chiefs said, their political and cultural identity as well as full compensation of all the people who lost their homes, graveyards, farmlands and properties in the ceded territory should be returned to his people if the Presidential Committee on the plight of Bakassi is sincere about doing justice to the people.
He reminded the federal government delegation of the decision of the people to be resettled at the Day Spring Island where they will have access to water to continue their fishing, the only trade which they know how to do.
The Paramount Ruler said “I have attended more than eight committees on Bakassi issues after the territory was ceded without any concrete outcome. I hope that the Namadi Sambo Committee will be the last that will resettle the Bakassi people and put smile on their faces.
“Minister let me tell you so that you can tell the Vice president who sent you here; if you give the Bakassi people Presidential Villa they won’t take it but if you give them a riverine area where they can do their daily fishing, your committee name will be in the book of history. That is why we say Day Spring is the option”.
He also appealed to the federal government to re-delineate Bakassi Constituency into two and increase the present 10 wards in the area to 13 so as to enable the upland get three wards while Day Spring and other riverine areas will have 10 wards.
He called for the amendment of the Cross River State law which moved Bakassi to upland where they cannot engage in their daily fishing.
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