By Friday Obande
Former Senator repesenting Cross Rivers South Senatorial District, Florence Ita Giwa, has said that the indegenes of the ceeded Bakassi peninsula still roam the streets, as the government has not fulfilled its promise to resettle them.
Ita-Giwa made this known to journalists at an award ceremony organised by The Nigerian Legion and Green Heroes to appreciate the efforts of war veterans in Abuja.
she decried what she described as government’s abandonment of the people of the area, saying they have almost been turned into restituted in their land.
Senator Florence Ita Giwa, a recipient of the award, commended the military, particularly Former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and the soldiers for protecting the integrity of Nigeria.
The former lawmaker however, lamented the plight of the people of the Bakassi Peninsula, which was ceeded to Cameroon, causing the foundation to be dislodged from their own homeland despite the unity treaty, saying they become destitutes.
Sen. Giwa further noted how the late Gen. Abach defied all international interventions at the peak of the scramble for the oil rich field which she maintained that the area wouldn’t have been gone to the Cameroon.
“General Abacha stood his grounds over the case of Bakassi Peninsula despite several external interference and I want to appreciate the entire men of the armed forces for their sacrifices because I’ve visited some of their dilapidated camps and know what they pass through while interfacing with the Jendam of Cameroon.
“But despite the promise to resettle the people of Bakassi to retain the total culture, up till now, they are still on the streets.
“It was only Gov. Ben Ayade, who managed to build a resettlement centre for the people which was unfortunately destroyed during the EndSARS protest.
“We of course, hope that the incoming government will into the plight of the people because this is our home and no where else is,” stressed Giwa.
