By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
The Cross River House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently check militancy on the waterways of Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, urging the federal government to provide a Military House/ Gun Boats on strategic locations of the Qua River.
The House wants the federal government to cause the Nigerian Navy/Army to position a Military House equipped with gun boats at Akwa-Esuk Eyamba and Inua- Esighi in Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas respectively.
The House further urged the state government to provide palliatives for the people of the area as they have been cut off from their means of livelihood by the militants who have taken over the waterways.
These were resolutions adopted from a matter of urgent public importance brought before the House by the Member representing Akpabuyo State Constituency, Hon Bassey Effiong.
Effiong lauded the Prince Bassey Otu’s administration for its efforts aimed at reducing the spate of insecurity in Akpabuyo, regretting that the militants relocated from the town to the creeks where they terrorise the waterways.
“It has been a routine invasion and attacks on the coastal communities of Akwa-Esuk Eyamba, Ikong Nkokanie, Esuk Mba communities of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South through the Qua River.”
“The militants have succeeded in stopping the fishermen in the affected communities from fishing in the river and the farmers from farming in the coastal land.
“There have been frequent cases of seizures of boats, outboard engines, looting of goods from traders in the community market of Esuk Mba,” Effiong said.
He bemoaned a tragic incident which occurred on September 11, 2024, where militants attacked the Esuk Mba/ Akwa-Esuk Eyamba communities killing one villager and injuring several others.
He added that the villagers now live in fear and can no longer go for fishing or farming, admitting that the situation may result in some of the youths joining the criminals due to idleness.
In their separate comments, the lawmakers lauded the governor’s efforts in tackling insecurity in the State.
They stressed the need for the military to collaborate with the youths of the communities who are conversant with the terrain for effective operations.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem reiterated that the present administration is responsive informing that the House will pay a courtesy call on the governor to discuss the matter.
