 |
CALABAR – A focused driven entrepreneur and convener of the Bakassi Fishing Festival, Frank Edima has expressed concern over the deplorable conditions of Bakassi and its people despite its rich tourism potential capable of attracting wealth to the people and development to the area.
In a post on social media, she expressed commitment to ensure the Bakassi Fish Festival which she conducts annually, receives International recognition to develop the area and add value to the quality of life live by both indigenes and residents.
In her post she recalled, a statement made by the former governor of Cross River State, in one of his visits to Bakassi, Edima recalled that Ayade had promised to transform Bakassi into Lugano
A little research into the city called Lugano reveals that this city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. The city is home to several historic buildings and museums, whilst the surrounding area has many natural sights.
 |
| Advert |
It is at this point that Edima, an indigenous member of the Bakassi project is questioning the whereabouts of the Bakassi stabilisation fund. Recall that sometime last year, Ayade’s administration agreed to receive a monthly fund from the FG worth N500m due to the loss of Bakassi.
The question now is where have those funds gone? Why is Bakassi still underdeveloped? Why haven’t the state government explored available openings to appeal the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameron?
A though recently in a press briefing, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River state said the N500m Bakassi stabilisation fund had stopped coming as he hasn’t received such funds since he assumed office. However, he promised to revisit the Bakassi issue in the International Court of Justice.
Frank Edima’s post reads in full:
I’d rather focus on my work and the Bakassi Fish Festival than join issues with those who swallow a whooping monthly N500 million from the Federal Government of Nigeria meant for proper resettlement of the Bakassi people.
In 2015, I recorded the former Governor’s campaign in Bakassi. I was reporting for Crossriverwatch at the time. Prof. Senator Ben Ayade specially said he will turn BAKASSI to LUGANO.
A little research into the city called Lugano tells me that this city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. The city is home to several historic buildings and museums, whilst the surrounding area has many natural sights.
With less than N10 billion Naira, the beach and creeks in Bakassi alone can serve more than 50% of tourists coming into Cross River State if it remains the tourism destination it’s been known for.
It was the deliberate efforts of the government of Lugano and private stakeholders that built Lugano into what the former Governor admired. Ayade has left office and not even a pinch of ‘L’ has gone into making Bakassi the Lugano of his dreams.
But…Hope isn’t lost 😞
With the Bakassi Fish Festival held annually and with your support, we can still turn Bakassi into Lugano, a destination tourists and business executives would admire.
