by By Admin
The people of Etung LGA of Cross River state have been described as unsung heroes that the administration of Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is in a hurry to change their narrative and position.
Director General, Cross River State Border Communities Development Commission {BORDERCOM}, Noel Ugbong who stated this at Effraya, Etung on Wednesday while in Etung on a Baseline Survey/Needs Assessment exercise for border communities of the Local government said that the essence of the survey is to ensure that the LGA and the people are accorded their rightful place, position and recognition.
Mr. Ugbong explained that the administration of Ayade draws this strength and conclusion from the empirical evident which indicates that the LGA has huge revenue generation capacity from cocoa and commerce across the international border, bearing in mind also that Etung has one of the most peaceful international border in Nigeria.
The DG of BORDERCOMM revealed that the governor has high regards for the people of Etung and has equally extend his deep appreciation to the people for the support they gave him during his reelection and their continuous support for his administration and development projects and programmes.
He disclosed that at the inception of taking charge of the leadership of BORDERCOMM, the governor indicated very clearly to them that he is particularly concerned about the people of the state living around the fringes of the state, our external borderlines and that he want to bring succor and economic prosperity to them.
Mr. Ugbong asserted that it is a known fact that mans history is a history of a people in constant state of flux which often results in positive commerce and social coexistence, while on the negative side, it leads to crises which often also result in loss of lives and property and at some point, annexation of territories, explaining that it is for this reason that Ayade leadership is consciously stamping the states signature across our borderlines.
The DG asked the Chairman to liaise with the Mfum Community for the acquisition of land for the construction of a modern Skills Acquisition Centre for Women and Youths.
He explained that this measure is not only to stamp the states signature across the borderlines but to also give our border communities a sense of belonging and to also let them know that they are not at the fringes but at the heart and centre of the state, adding that it is based on this premise and other vital considerations that His Excellency sent them to come and interact with the people taking into cognizant the baseline to assist them calibrate with the sole aim to ensure that the states budget process is not only up-to-date but also captures the interest of the people.
The DG of BORDERCOM maintained that the needs of the people changes over time as the needs of a particular community in the last 5-10 years are certainly not the same today, and that it is based on this reality that they are in Etung to carry out the first phase of Baseline Survey and Needs Assessment exercise.
He said that they came with some research instruments ahead of Planning, Research and Statistics tailored towards extracting primary data and that after analyzing the data they will now carry out physical visitation these communities to ascertained and to make sure of their actual needs in order of priority.
Mr. Ugbong assured that this is not going to be an exercise in futility or a purposeless one but that the governor is committed towards making life bearable for all border communities in Cross River state, while thanking the Chairman, Vice Chairman, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Chiefs and the people of Etung for their cooperation and large turnout.
In his welcome speech, the Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Hon. John Nkom, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ayade for having sincere concern for his people, the border communities in particular and the people of the state in general, and assured that his people will give the BORDERCOMM team a full support to extract the information they need, while calling on the Chiefs of the border communities and their subjects to deliberate and list the projects they need to the BORDERCOMM team.
