BY: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
The Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government area of Cross River State, Hon.Emmanuel Offiong Bassey, has decried the wanton destruction and vandalisation of the council headquartres by hoodlums during the #EndSARs protest in the state.
Property worth millions of Naira were utterly vandalised and destroyed by the hoodlums.
Speaking at the weekend after assessing the effect of the destruction, Bassey said hoodlums under the #EndSARs protest invaded the council headquatres at Ikot Nakanda, looted and virtually destroyed everything in the council.
According to him, ” it is now hard for any activity to take place in the council as there are virtually nothing to sit or work with”.
“The action of the hoodlums can only be described as “barbaric and unfortunate” coming at a time we are struggling to pick the pieces after the COVID-19 pandemic”..
Bassey said the level of destruction in the place which is the only avenue that can attract government development effort in a rural area like Akpabuyo is shocking and unacceptable.
“The shift in development from Calabar urban to Akpabuyo is because of the relative peace that existed here but the recent events have shattered everything “.
He however lamented that Akpabuyo local Government area which will attain thirty years since its creation has now been brought backward as everything put in place in the last thirty years have been destroyed by hoodlums.
Said he, “Akpabuyo, which many see as a blessed land, has been taken thirty years back and we need to start all over again and again”.
He called on youths of the area to sheath their sword and embrace peace and join hands with his adminstration to bring development back to the area.
Bassey also sued for peace and unity among traditional Rulers,chiefs and other stakeholders so as to rebuild the council fast.
