The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced an assessment tour of communities ravaged by communal crisis in Yakurr local government area, Cross River State.
The leader of the team and NEMA Zonal coordinator South-South, Mr. Godwin Tepikor, said that the spot assessment tour is to enable the agency ascertain the level of damages recorded during the conflict in these communities and provide relief.
“We are here based on the report that was sent to our National office by the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams to the effect that there was a communal crisis that affected these communities resulting in the wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“As a government agencies saddled with the responsibility of disaster management across the country, we felt it was important that we come to see for ourselves and document an on-the-spot assessment of what has happened, the impact on the communities and make relevant recommendations to the Federal government,” he said.
According to him, the assessment tour revealed that houses and properties worth millions of Naira were damaged in various communities in Mkpani and Ekpeti in Yakurr LGA.
Receiving the delegation, the Obol Lopon of Aduma, HRH, Obol Oden Dan Ubi thanked the son of the soil, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Williams for always standing by them, in times like this.
He appealed to the Federal Government through NEMA to quickly intervene in providing shelter and means of livelihood for the displaced people while praying that this type of disaster never befalls the community again.
Also Speaking, the Obol Lopon of Mkpani, HRM Obol Sunday Obono Okoi thanked the delegation both from the federal and state government for the initiative.
“We are grateful to our son for bringing this to our community, it was very unfortunate that we recorded that kind of incident but we pray that will not happen again.
“We will put our heads together in setting aside our differences to ensure that lasting peace returns to our communities,” the royal father reassured.
The communities visited during the assessment tour included the communities of Aduma, Afaben in Mkpani and Ekpeti community in Yakurr local government area.
On the tour with the Speaker and NEMA zonal coordinator was the state Director General of SEMA, Mr. Ayim Princewill, Commissioner-1 Local Government Service Commission, Chief Uket Obono, Board Member, State Privatization Council, Mr. Butum Ubi, officials from NEMA CRS office led by Mr. Usang Obono Eno among others.
