BY: VITALIS UGOH Calabar
The Bakassi Executive Council today during its tenth council meeting called for the immediate and unconditional release of one of the elder statesmen of the area, Hon Barr Dominic Aqua Edem, who was abducted last week in his village.
The council in its deliberation unanimously called on Edem’s(a former deputy speaker of the Coss River State house of Assembly) abductors to ensure he , is released in good health and unharmed.
They described the action as uncivilized, irresponsible, and wickedness in highest places while advising that youth in the area, instead of pulling resources to bring development should not engage in activities inimical to progress and enlightenment
Members therefore enjoined youths , to avail themselves of different empowerment programs being put in place by the federal and state governments, CBN and donor agencies as well as skill acquisition centres to create employment and wealth, stressing that Bakassi is an arable landmass capable of producing all economic trees
They , however, regretted that Bakassi, has today, lost everything due to EndSARS, kidnapping and militancy and urged parents to redouble their efforts in building a just and crime free Bakassi.
Commenting on the issue, Special Adviser- Peace and Security, Bakassi Local Government Council, Mr Effiong Etim Okon, commended security operatives in the area in their efforts to instill safety of lives and property since the abduction.
The council also in another deliberation urged Lafarge Holcim, manufacturers of Unicem cement to as a matter of urgency, conduct an immediate Environment Impact Assessment EIA to ascertain the level of environmental hazard it has caused on the coastal Esuk Aye community.
The council noted that the evaluation and assessment of the effects of pollution caused by emission from the company’s plant is a matter of concern which has to be addressed
It described the condition there as worrisome as the only source of drinking water is contaminated while the dust is also dangerous for breathing, which has prompted the Council to call for dialogue with the company.
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