Bakassi, Nigeria
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River State Southern Senatorial District, addressed a packed hall of Bakassi residents during a recent town hall meeting. The Senator opined that there is an urgent need to revisit the resettlement of the Bakassi people, years after the territory’s unfortunate ceding to Cameroon.
In his opening remarks, Senator Ekpenyong emphasized his commitment to meaningful representation for his constituents. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of State Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu in infrastructure renewal, pointing out the importance of federal intervention to support these initiatives. “Our Governor is doing a fantastic job,” he declared. “We have driven interventions in internal roads and installed solar street lights. But there’s more work to be done, and that requires collaboration with the Federal Government.”
The town hall meeting served as a platform for Senator Ekpenyong to present his scorecard from his first year in office. However, he made it clear that listening to the concerns and suggestions of the Bakassi people was equally vital. “This meeting fulfills my campaign promise,” he stated. “I had promised you that when I win the elections, you will not only have to see me during campaigns but as often as possible. Now, I am here. Today, I am not here to speak so much about what I have done. I am here to also listen to you.”
The Bakassi residents eagerly seized the opportunity to voice their concerns. Dr. Bassey Nakanda, a Bakassi-born medical doctor, raised the issue of voter dichotomy and vote disparity—a lingering political challenge faced by the community since the territorial transfer.
Hon. Eyo Bassey, Member representing Bakassi State Constituency, appreciated the Senator for doing exceedingly well in the Red Chambers. He further appealed to the Senator to assist in the provision of transformers to power up communities in Bakassi. He shared some progress report from the ongoing power restoration project by the State Governor, adding that power lines have been restored in Bakassi but lack of transformers has hindered power supply in Bakassi.
Mrs. Lawrencia Ita, Commissioner for Establishment, Pensions and Training, encouraged the synergy between the senator and the governor while urging them to continue in such progressive collaboration.
In the same vein, Hon. Iyadim Amboni, former Chairman of Bakassi LGA said ‘This is the first time since 1999 we are sitting in a town hall with a serving Senator.’ He also shared concerns about the current conditions of internally displaced persons living at the IDP Camp in Bakassi. He, alongside other Bakassi stakeholders, urged the Senator to lend his voice in issues surrounding the resettlement of the Bakassi people to foster development and communal progress.
As the meeting concluded, Senator Ekpenyong assured the crowd that their voices would be heard, promising continued efforts to improve the lives of the Bakassi people. The call for the revisiting of Bakassi resettlement remains at the forefront of Senator Ekpenyong’s agenda, which supports the desires of those who seek justice and progress for this resilient coastal community.
