By Isaac Israel
Federal Government has promised to revamp the facilities damaged in the Cross River Basin Development Authority, CRBDA, Calabar by hoodlums.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu made the disclosure when visited the management and staff of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Calabar, whose office was vandalized by the restive youths and hoodlums.
This was contained in a press release issued and made available to newsmen by the Director Information, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Kenechukwu Office on Saturday.
According to the press release, the visit was for on- the- spot assessment of the extent of the damage which the hoodlums wrecked on the property of the Cross River Basin Development Authority.
During the tour and assessment of the vandalized facilities, the Minister stated that he had hoped to visit the River Basin under a better circumstance different from the situation he met on ground.
He however, assured the officers of the River Basin of the Federal Government’s resolve to revamp the facilities as soon as possible. He also encouraged them to “keep up high spirits as the worst is over."
Further, the Minister reassured that efforts will be made to provide palliatives within the limits of available resources to cushion the effects of the wanton damage and its attendant emotional turmoil on the psyche of the staff.
Adamu also stated that the report of the ugly incident will be submitted to the National Assembly and that he will also make a submission to President Muhammadu Buhari to solicit for his support. He pledged his commitment to restore the functionality of the River Basin despite the economic challenges caused by the Covid 19 pandemic in the country.
Earlier in his visit, the Minister paid a courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade.
In his address, he stated that the purpose of the visit was to sympathise with the state on the unwholesome behaviour of the hoodlums and to access the extent of the damage done at the CRBDA.
Adamu equally informed that he would want to lift the spirit of the members of the staff, as he congratulated the Governor for Obanikoro local Government Area of the State being the first Local Government in Nigeria to be Open Defecation Free.
“It has served as a trigger for there are now 134 LGAs that are Open Defecation Free in the country", Adamu said, while hoping that the State and the River Basin will build a synergy towards a better working relationship.
Governor Ayade who was visibly appreciative of the visit commiserated with the Water family over the reckless defacement at the River Basin.
Nevertheless, Ayade expressed his delight on this opportunity which has given rise to a positive leeway for further a discourse on Water Supply project and management which he believes will be of utmost importance for partnership between CRBDA and his State as it would be beneficial to both parties.
Adamu equally extended his visit to the Royal House of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. who has his full council of Chiefs present to receive the August visits. The Minister in the same vien advised parents to spare no rod during child upbringing in order to ensure that young ones are raised with the right virtues, morals and love for the country. The Obong appealed that the youths should be listened to in order to alleviate their situations to further avert such ugly mishaps in future.
The Managing Director Cross River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Bassey Nkposong called on the Royal father to reach out to the youths and to advise them to always apply dialogue and to desist from the dastardly acts of destroying structures and government facilities. He also agreed to provide a comprehensive report of the mishap.
The highpoint of the tour was the official flag-off of the year 2020/2021 Dry Season cropping by the Honourable Minister at the CRBDA farmland.
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