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| Governor Ayade of Cross River State (Left) with Alhaji Faruk of NBCDA |
By Solomon Asha
Cross River governor, Prof Ben Ayade, Monday, lauded the Federal government for awarding contracts for the construction of a 60-stall border market, primary health centre, 4-unit of 1and 2 bedrooms respectively and 70,000 litres of overhead borehole in Bakassi.
Ayade made the commendation when the Director, National Border Communities Development Agency (NBCDA), Alhaji Faruk Maturare and his team paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office, Calabar.
His words: “I am happy because this government is sensitive enough to locate such remote areas and trying to provide succour,” adding that “it shows that the Federal government is responsive to our cries on the plight of the Bakassi people.”
Continuing, the governor said: “I thank the Federal government for identifying such communities because they are more or less decoupled from society and civilization, so for government to identify such communities, I think it is quite noble.”
Ayade who approved a parcel of land for the projects charged his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, to ensure that the state on its part, assist the federal government through the provision of adequate security as well as other necessary support to aid the projects.
While assuring that the people of Bakassi are peace loving who find delight in receiving visitors and strangers alike, the governor encouraged the agency to incorporate Bakassi indigenous contractors into the project to enable them boost their economy.
Ayade solicited a lighting system in the area, as he averred that the area was always dark, adding that the inclusion of power would make the market thrive as parents will have better chances to eke out a living.
“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, adding that,” this will help the market thrive, the children will go back to school and the parents will have something to do.”
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| Deputy Governor Ivara Esu of Cross River State (Left) with Alhaji Faruk of NBCDA |
Earlier, Alhaji Maturare explained that his team was in the governor’s office to pay a courtesy visit on the governor as well as solicit a piece of land for a project that will positively impact on Bakassi as a border community.
The agency director also requested for a collaboration from the state to enable them achieve some uncompleted projects inherited from other sister agencies including the National Boundary Commission.
He explained that with about 20,000 border communities across the country, the choice of Bakassi was to assist the area gain access to various forms of socialization and the provision of livelihood.
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