By: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar.
The Federal government has been lauded for the award of contract for the development of a border market in Bakassi local government Ares of Cross River.
The commendation was made by the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, when the Director National Border Communities Development Agency, Alhaji Faruk Maiturare paid him a courtesy call in his office.
The contract is for the construction of a 60-stall border market, primary health centre, 4-unit of 1 and 2 bedrooms respectively and 70,000 litres of overhead borehole among others.
Faruk therefore used the opportunity to request for the approval of a piece of land from the state government so as to commence work on the site.
According to him, the project will impact positively on the people of Bakassi as it is a border community with neighbouring African countries.
He sued for collaboration from the state government so as to complete some uncompleted projects inherited from other sister agencies such as the National Boundary Commission.
He recalled that there were about 20,000 border communities across the country adding that the choice of Bakassi is to enable inhabitants living there to socialise with other citizens of neighbouring countries.
Earlier, the governor who was represented by his deputy Prof. Ivara Isu, said “I am happy because the federal government is sensitive enough to locate such projects to the remote area aimed at providing succour to the people”.
Ayade said “this shows that the Federal government is responsive to our cries on the plight of the Bakassi people”.
He therefore thanked the Federal government for identifying with border communities because they are more or less decoupled from society and civilization.
He gave an express approval for a parcel of land for the projects and promised to assist the federal government through the provision of adequate security as well as other necessary support to aid the projects.
“Since you have a responsibility for infrastructure beyond the market stalls, if there is also a way you can incorporate light because the place is always dark, the better, the governor said”.
