Ogar Monday, House of Assembly Correspondent
The Cross River State House of Assembly has described as “senseless and barbaric” the incessant communal clashes that have bedevilled the State and urge the Government to bring down the hammer of justice on those guilty.
The members who were speaking on a motion brought to the House by Hon. Eteng Williams, member representing Yakurr II State Constituency wondered why despite the many lives lost in the crisis between Oyadama and Inyima, Mkpani and Nko amongst others across the State, nobody has been brought to book.
Speaking, Hon. Moses Ocheche, member Representing Obanliku State Constituency said that he wonders why people and communities which have for ages share the same culture, language and even go as far as inter-marry will wake up one morning and start killing each other, even going as far as hiring mercenaries to fight for them.
On his part, Hon. Ehpraim Okon representing Calabar South II State Constituency, blamed the continuous communal crisis on the lack of town hall meetings and engagements of members with their constituencies, a situation he blamed on funds.
The member representing Bekwarra in the House of Assembly, Hon. Idagu Agaji said the actions of these communities are condemnable and should be seen with disdain by all right thinking Cross Riverians.
He decried the situation where government sets up commissions of enquiry and after doing their job the white paper is not released or when released perpetrators are not brought to book because of political reasons.
Furthermore, Hon. Nelson Ofem of Yakurr 1 State Constituency blamed the crisis on leadership failure and the politicization of traditional institutions, as youths no longer respect their traditional rulers, he maintained.
Hon. Eteng, who moved the motion then prayed the House to among other things ask the State Government to grow the political will of the people and properly demarcate all disputed boundaries in the State.
Also that the Commission of Enquiry set up to investigate the rise of crime in the State should be expanded to look into the cause of communal clashes and all those fingered in these clashes should be investigated and prosecuted if found guilty.
The House unanimously adopted the motion.
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