Ambazonia crisis: Cross River seeks greater partnership with UNHCR

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Governor Ayade

The Cross River State government has called for greater partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees so as to address the plight of refugees fleeing the crisis in Cameroon.

 Governor Ayade  of Cross River State
Governor Ayade  of Cross River State

The government made the appeal through the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng Jonas William during the Humanitarian Development Nexus meeting between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), state ministries and international agencies where they discussed on how to synergy for greater supports to the refugees.

The Speaker commended the UN agency for constructing inner city roads, school and temporary residential blocks and other infrastructure for the refugees emphasising that the government has thus far donated 800 million naira and 100 hectares of farmland to assist in the welfare of the refugees.

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Hon. Eteng stressed that it was very important for the UNHCR to carry the state along in their programmes so that there would be greater gains.

“We need you to carry the state government along as you continue with your commendable involvements and supports to ease the burdens of the refugees and host communities. But we need you to provide more boreholes for the refugees and host communities. While we commend you for building school blocks, please remember to provide desks for the children.

“On our part the state government has since extended a further sum of N800 million and 100 hectares of our lands to enable the refugees do some farming”, he said.

Also speaking, Hilary Bisong, the House committee chairman on Disaster Management and Humanitarian Crises, said due to the mass influx of the Cameroonian refugees, there has been increased social pressure on the host communities and state government.

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He lamented that the state government cannot shoulder the burden of the refugees alone because of its lean financial resources and commended the UNHCR for their efforts thus far.

“Cross River alone cannot handle the refugees’ burden alone because of our very low financial resources.

“We need support and presence of the federal government regarding the huge presence of the Cameroonian refugees in our seven LGAs and commend UNHCR for their humanitarian role”, he said.

Head of the UNHCR sub-office in the state, Mr Mulugeta Zwedie explained that the joint is aimed at easing the challenges posed by the mass influx of the refugees in the two major camps of Ogoja and Calabar in Cross River as well as in Benue State.

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He disclosed that Ogoja is the largest refugees settlement in West Africa and commended Nigeria, particularly Cross River and Benue States for hosting 51,723 refugees from Cameroon.

He said their role had mostly been to provide succour to the people fleeing their countries for many reasons such as the Cameroonians and to see that they are largely comfortable until situation in their home country is conducive for them to return.

Also speaking, Princewill Ayim, Director General of State Emergency Management Agency said they will work closely with relevant agencies to raise awareness in the area of joints resource mobilisation to address the challenges.

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