BY: VITALIS UGOH Calabar
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons NCFRMI yesterday flagged off the distribution of food and non food items to the displaced people of Bakassi Local Government Area
The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Senator Bashir Garba Mohammed while distributing the items urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate federal government’s effort by making good use of the items to improve their wellbeing
Mohammed, represented by Director Human Resources NCFRMI, Ibrahim Wachiko , explained that the distribution of those items is to alleviate the suffering of ” our persons of concern in Cross River State as our target is to reach out to a total of 4,675 households of Bakassi IDP returnees”
Mohammed disclosed that the federal government has empowered the Commission and it has been carrying out distribution of items to persons of our concern POC in many states, adding that,” As a matter of fact, we have visited a total of 15 states and are committed to provide care and support for our persons while also giving durable solutions to them”
He pointed out that the Commission has commenced work on the construction of massive housing units to settle displaced persons under a program tagged ” IDPs Resettlement Cities” which consists of 600 units of 2 bedroom bungalows each in selected states
The houses according to him, will be well furnished and equipped with facilities for education, workshop, skill acquisition and farmland among others, stating that in the same vein, the Commission with the support of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has commenced another program to add to the issue of durable solutions for displaced persons known as ” Project Reliance” ,aimed at providing displaced persons with skills for more meaningful livelihood in different vocations and at least 50 different areas have been identified to them to choose from
He commended the state government , host communities and other interest groups for ensuring improved livelihood for the displaced persons in their midst
Assistant Director NCFRMI, Fatima Daura , commended the beneficiaries for their patience and promised that the Commission will come back to the state for a resettlement visit, believing that the distributed items will be of use
The chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon Chief Iyadim Amboni Iyadim, in his remarks, commended the Commission for its show of love to the displaced persons of Bakassi but, however, noted that the resettlement of the displaced persons is beyond the level of rice and beans because Bakassi means a lot to Nigeria
According to Iyadim, ” Bakassi lost part of its land for national interest and the resettlement of its displaced persons should also be in national interest because the people have been deprived of their ancestral home and birthplace
He revealed that the distribution exercise was the first time Bakassi people had witnessed such a presentation concerning their well-being
The representative of Bakassi Local Government Area in the state house of assembly, Rt Hon Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, appreciated the effort of the commission but advised that subsequent efforts should focus on total and complete package of resettlement
He called on the Commission to ensure Bakassi was captured and included in its proposed numerous projects for the people to have a sense of belonging
Senator Mrs Florence Ita-Giwa , mama Bakassi, while commending the commission in its efforts to reach out to the people, assured sons and daughters of Bakassi that she will not relent in her fight for the good will of the area until they are properly resettled with medical centers and other essential social facilities
She assured the Commission that the distributed items would be equitably shared among the people devoid of rancor
The leader of Bakassi Local Government Legislative Council ,Hon Pastor Emmanuel Michael Effiong, while speaking in an interview, lauded the Commission and added that such a gesture should be supported with the provision of infrastructure to reduce the burden encountered by the people.
He described the distribution as timely after the ENDSARS violent protests and prayed God should strengthen the commission to do more
The secratry of Council, Hon Eyo Bassey Edet, noted that in addition to the distribution , federal government and donor agencies should come to the assistance of the council in the renovation of its facilities amongst others to ensure a conducive working environment
Items distributed to the beneficiaries from the 10 political wards of Bakassi LGA, Resettlement Camp , Bakassi Children Foundation, Marine, and traditional institution included bags of rice, beans, millet , gari and cartons of groundnut oil,palm oil and Indomie while the non-food items included mats, mattresses,buckets and blankets and it was witnessed by serving and past legislators, past and serving members of Bakassi Local Government Executive Council, political appointees and sons and daughters of the area