By Odey Ukandi
May we note with dismay the lethargic manner governments at all levels have responded to this crisis. It is regrettable that in the face of an international crisis such as this which threatens the territorial integrity of our country, the response of the Federal Govt has been tragically slow and sluggish.
As we speak, neither soldiers nor any other security forces are on ground in Belegete. So the place remains open to be further ravaged and plundered by that marauding band of Ambazonia terrorists from Cameroon.
In fact, even NEMA, the national intervention agency in crisis like this one is not yet on ground in Belegete more than 2 weeks after our people were savagely brutalized, chased out of their homes, and rendered destitute without food and shelter.
We are reasonably sure that this kind of lethargy in responding to the crisis could not have occured if it were anywhere else other than in Cross River State.
The people of Cross River North Senatorial District deprecate in vehement terms the apparent neglect of the welfare and interest of Cross River State by the Federal Government.
We fear that it was this kind of attitude that led to the ceding of Bakasi to Cameroon a few years back with the attendant displacement of our people and colossal loss of revenue to the State. We of the Cross River North wish to stress that we would not, under any circumstances, cede any inch of our ancestral homes to anyone, groups or country.
We therefore implore Mr. President to urgently direct the Military and relevant agencies to pay attention to the crisis in Belegete not only to ensure that no inch of our land is lost , but also to guarantee that our people are restored to their homes and they resume living peacefully in their community duly protected by our national security agencies as it is the case in all our international boundaries.
We consider it imperative to also call on the Cross River State Government and the State Emergency Management Agency, particularly, to deploy men and materials to Belegete to address this emergency to ameliorate the hardship our people are going through at the moment as a result of the mindless destruction of their homes and property.
May we end by assuring you, our brothers and sisters of Belegete that the people of Cross River North that we represent stand with you and share your agony and shall continue to identify with you every step of the way until this crisis is fully resolved.
In this regard, it is pertinent to state that this intervention is just the first phase. Your brothers and sisters under the auspices of Who is Who in Cross River North are still pooling funds together from far and near to help you. We are therefore optimistic that early in the new year we shall be back here to carry out the next phase of the intervention to address some specific needs that may arise from our interaction with you today.
Once again, we bring you sympathy and warm compliments from your brothers and sisters across the length and breadth of Cross River North Senatorial District, from those at home as well as those in diaspora.
We consider this crisis most unfortunate and it is our hope and prayer that the crisis will be resolved quickly so that you will all return to your homes and reorganise your lives.
We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Signed: for Who Is Who in Cross River North
HRH Chief Mrs Martina Odom Chairman
Prof Joseph Ushie Alt.Chairman
