I am aware of your pains - Governor Ben Ayade tells Cameroonian refugees in Cross River

macfranc007 January 22, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Onyirioha Nnamdi

- Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River tells Cameroonian refugees in Cross River that his is doing everything possible to alert the presidency and the international community on the condition of the refugees

- He says he is aware of the pains of the refugees and is doing his best to help them with their basic needs

- He promises to build more camps for the refugees while waiting for the federal government's intervention

The Cross River government on Sunday provided food and non-food items to over 3,000 southern Cameroonian refugees camping in Ikom local government area of the state.

The items included rice, plantain, beans, yam, garri, palm oil, cartons of indomie, toiletries and cooking utensils, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Presenting the items, Governor Ben Ayade of the state disclosed that the intervention was to give succour for the hardship and displacement experienced by the refugees.

Ayade, who was represented by Mercy Akpama, the managing director, Cross River food bank commission, said that his administration places premium on the welfare of residents in the state.

“I am aware of your pains and I am not relenting in my contacts with President Muhammadu Buhari and the international community to know that what is happening to you is not good before God and humanity.

“There is no greater pain like depriving a people of their ancestral homes and reducing them to wants in body and soul.

“This passion has led me to bring food to you and soon I will build camps for you while waiting for my contacts to come to fruition in a bid to see you return to your ancestral homes.

“I love you all and urge you to stay in peace with your hosts. Remain patriotic and obey the laws of the land.

“I urge you to share these items in love for your suffering will not be for too long.’’

John Inaku, director general of Cross River state emergency management agency, told the refugees that the state governor was passionate about their plight.

John noted: “We have your brothers and sisters in other locations as well, these items are for those of you in Ikom and I can assure you that the governor will also reach others soon.’’

Inaku explained that medicines would also be provided soon to take care of the health needs of the refugees.

“The governor will come with more things for you. Be law abiding; you are our brothers and sisters and we love you all.’'

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

Abia David, coordinator, southern Cameroon refugees, lauded the government and people of the state for their concern, noting that the gesture was a sign of true love.

He said: “A drop of water to a man who is very thirsty is a welcome development. We are appreciative of this gesture by Cross River state governor and it is a sign that he cares about our wellbeing.’’

NAIJ.com reported that Cross River state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) had accused the state governor, Ben Ayade of repackaging imported rice as state rice produced at the rice village in Ogoja.

Ayade’s aide on revenue and the managing director Ayade rice Godwin Akwaji said the APC’s claim was a ruse and without proof.

Survivors of Boko Haram on NAIJ.com TV