Cross River community indicts Dep Gov of failing to resolve conflict in his LGA

Betem/Amon in Biase local government area of Cross River State has indicted the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof Ivara Esu for failing to resolve the communal feud that has resulted in the destruction of property worth billions of naira in the Ehom Central community in Biase local government area.

The people in a meeting held in Ehom Central lamented the attitude of the Deputy Governor, accusing him of abandoning his people, even when the matter was taken to him. “We have written to the Deputy Governor several times on the crisis in which five communities, Ekpri-Iko, Iwuru Obio-Ntan, Ayaba, Ehom-Evia and Idoma attacked the Ehom Central.”

In a communiqué made available to our correspondent and signed by twelve village heads and community leaders of Betem/Amon at the consultative Assembly meeting held in Ehom Central the people said “Several visits were made to the deputy governor’s office with so many reports made but up till date, no attention is given to this very burning issue.”

The people condemned the incessant arrest of their son and Village Head of Ehom Central (Enuike), Chief (Engr) Onda I. Onda for reasons best known to the Police even when there is a subsisting court order restraining arrest. “We called on all well meaning individuals and humanitarian organizations to kindly investigate into the root-cause of the un-ending Ehom Central crisis and join in brining lasting peace to save lives and properties.”

They said before the crisis, they properly informed government about an invasion of Ehom Central but there was no effort by government to avert it thereby resulting in subsequent invasion of the community by the five communities destroying properties worth billion of naira.

“That since the trouble engulfing Enuike, efforts have been made to let government bring lasting peace on the issue but our cry has been ignored by the Cross River State Government. That since the said invasion in which properties worth over billion of naira was destroyed in the presence of the Police as witness, no arrest has been made nor any person invited for questioning.”

“That despite this affront, we still appeal to the peace loving communities of Amon/Betem to remain calm” and called on Governor Ben Ayade to intervene to avoid further shed of blood and destruction of properties.

Edem Bassey, Calabar