By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Worried by the plight of Southern Cameroon refugees in Cross River, the state government, weekend, donated food items and other accessories to the over 3,000 people residing in Ikom Local Government Area.
The items ranging from rice, plantain, beans, yam, garri, palmoil to provisions, indomie and toiletries were conveyed to the Ikom council centre in two large trucks bearing, “Cross River food bank”.
Making the presentation, the governor, Senator Ben Ayade, represented by the Managing Director, Cross River Food Bank Commission, Mrs Mercy Akpama, disclosed that he was aware of the pains of being chased out of their ancestral homes, hence the intervention to ameliorate their pains.
He said “I am aware of your pains and I am not relenting in my contacts with Mr President and the international community to know that what is happening to you is not good before God and humanity”.
According to him , “there is no greater pain like depriving a people of their ancestral homes and reducing them to wants in body and soul. This passion has led me to bring food to you and soon I will build camps for you while waiting for my contacts to come to fruition in a bid to see you return to your ancestral homes.”
He further said, “I love you all and urge you to stay in peace with your hosts, remain patriotic and obey the laws of the land,” adding, “share these items in love for your suffering will not be too long”.
Earlier, Director, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, John Inaku, intimated that “the governor is passionate about your plight and what is here is the beginning. We have your brothers and sisters in other locations as well, those of you in Ikom this one has come to you and more will come”.
Inaku affirmed that Cross River will not allow the people die of starvation, adding “the drugs are coming to boost your health needs. The governor will come with more things for you, be law abiding, you are our brothers and sisters and we love you all.”
Coordinator, Southern Cameroon refugees, Abia David, lauded the government and people of the state for their concern, pointing out that the gesture was a sign of true love to those in need.
His words, “a drop of water to a man who is very thirsty is a welcome development. We are appreciative of this gesture by Cross River state governor, Senator Ayade, and it is a sign that he cares about our wellbeing”.
Responding on behalf of the refugees, Ayaba William remarked, “we extend our sincere thanks to the governor and the Food Bank Commission for the love, care and provision to ensure that we are not stranded. We have also found in Cross River state a government that respects the value for humanity. We thank Ikom council for making us comfortable, we will do the best to remain law abiding and ensure that our host communities never regret affording us their homes and farms to survive from”.
William got emotional at a point said, “he that lends to the poor lends to the Lord, let the Lord you have given to, protect you mightily and bless the people of this state and nation”.
He urged the state and federal governments to urgently intervene in their issue, he maintained that, “as we remain here, the pressure created by our presence will be overbearing to our host communities, so, we beg you to speed up the resolve”.
