C'River NDDC Rep, Orok Duke, Delivers Relief Materials to Bakassi Returnees

 

...Says intervention complements state government's efforts

Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the Commissioner representing Cross River State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has provided a truckload of relief materials to the Bakassi returnees, aiming to alleviate their hardships.

During the presentation of these items to the coordinator of the Bakassi returnees camp at Ikang on Friday, Duke emphasized that this intervention is designed to supplement the efforts of the Cross River state government in addressing the challenges faced by the returnees.

Duke urged the camp coordinator to ensure the relief materials reach those in greatest need, noting that this would motivate the NDDC to continue supporting the Bakassi people.

In response to complaints about immediate needs such as roads, electricity, a jetty, and boats for security agencies, the NDDC Commissioner promised to bring these issues to the Commission for prompt action. He also pledged to highlight other critical areas of development, including education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

Additionally, Duke mentioned that future efforts would extend to other parts of the state, including Obanliku and Boki, which also have invasion and refugee camps. "Our goal is to ameliorate any challenging situations we encounter," he said.

Hon. Ani Esin, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Niger Delta, and Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, former member representing Bakassi state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, both expressed their gratitude to the NDDC Commissioner for his support to the Bakassi returnees.

Prince Aston Joseph Inyang, the camp coordinator, along with members of the camp management committee, received the relief materials on behalf of the returnees. Inyang expressed thanks to Hon. Orok Duke and the NDDC, assuring that the items would be distributed fairly.

The relief materials included bags of rice, bags of beans, beds, cartons of noodles, tin tomatoes, toiletries, footwear, mosquito nets, seasoning cubes, and more.