C/River partners Dortmund to provides social housing for Bakassi IDPs

Moved by the worrisome plight of the Bakassi people who are displaced as a result of the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon by the Nigerian government, Cross River State government and the city of Dortmund in Germany have entered into a partnership to construct social housing for the displaced. The construction work is expected to commence later this month.

In addition to the housing project, the partnership will also provide education and expertise for the people on areas of building and maintenance.

Disclosing this at the signing of the partnership deal in his office in Calabar, when a delegation led by the Mayor of Dortmund, Dr Rosesalyn Dressman paid a courtesy visit on him, Governor Ben Ayade said the action from the City of Dortmund was a demonstration of the commitment of the people of Germany to give hope to the displaced people of Bakassi.

He stated that the participation and partnership will be of immense benefit to the people of Bakassi.

Ayade who said project was a humanitarian service, noted that the focus was how “we can provide housing and education to the people of Bakassi.”

Governor Ayade, while thanking the team for their visit, said he was very impressed with their promise and commitment to visit the state to have a first hand view of the plight of the displaced people Bakassi.

His words: ”A country that decided to share the pains and difficulties of the people of Bakassi in Cross River State, even when it has nothing to do with them and decided to take it upon themselves to provide education and housing to support and train them, give them a means of livelihood and provide houses for such people, is indeed commendable.”

Continuing, Ayade said: “I like to especially thank you for coming. We had an agreement for 14th of August and by 14th you are here in Nigeria. It shows that the Germans keep to their words.”

“I have seen the commitment, the integrity that whatever you give with your word, you will give your right eye to honour it.”

Ayade expressed appreciation to the City of Dortmund to invest their money to better the lots of others through the provision of social housing to the people of Bakassi because of their culture of high regard for displaced people all over the world.

Early in her speech the leader of the delegation, Dr Rosesalyn Dressman said they were in Nigeria to discuss the issues of integration as the Bakassi people who are displaced are very important the Germans.

According to her, “we are here to discuss how to better their lives to support the displaced people, create structures that will help get them back on their feet.”

The Mayor of Dortmund, who spoke through an interpreter, assured of the political and financial will from his country to ensure speedy completion of the project.

Dr Norbert Tschirpe, who made a slide presentation said the core component of the project included education and provision of social housing.
He noted that the houses for the Bakassi people would be tailored to accommodate their culture and values.

The Paramount Ruler of the Bakassi and host of the project, Dr. Etim Okon Edet, who is also the chairman of Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, commended Governor Ayade for what he said is his passion and commitment to addressing the problems of his people.

His words: ”We have gone through very traumatic conditions over the years, I think the time has come under the leadership of our present governor to lead us to that freedom that we have been looking for over the years. I want to first and foremost thank him for his passion, he has been very passionate about Bakassi people because I know and he also knows that the welfare and security of the people is paramount.”

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Posted by admin on Aug 16 2016. Filed under Ben Ayade Desk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry