Chairman, Bakassi Local Council Area in Cross River State, Chief Iyadim Amboni Iyadim, has bemoaned the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon, saying all issues raised in the Green Tree Agreement (GTA) of 2006 have not been implemented, 16 years after.

Speaking at weekend at the Consultative and Thank You tour by the Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, accompanied by his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, national and state officials, and stalwarts of the party in Ekpri Ikang, Bakassi, Iyadim expressed the anger of the people following the ceding of some of its parts to Cameroon without their consent. He said they have been deprived of their heritage, inheritance and means of livelihood.

A statement by the Press Secretary to the Bakassi Chairman, Mr. Frank Inyang, quoted Iyadim as saying, “All issues attached to the GTA, which culminated to ceding of the area have not been addressed, as those who decided to follow their kith in Nigeria have become homeless and jobless.”

Iyadim called on Senator Otu to ensure all unresolved issues enshrined in the Agreement are implemented, noting that the people of Bakassi are solidly behind him. He expressed hope that the governorship candidate will take the area as his priority and establish a government presence there because of its strategic location as an international border town with an expanse of arable land to attract investments.

He lauded Governor Ben Ayade’s effort in building a housing estate to accommodate some of the displaced persons.

He noted that the good intention of the governor was, however, thwarted in the 2020 EndSARS riot when the estate was vandalized. He appealed to Otu not to abandon the deep seaport project located in the area because of its numerous potential, including job and wealth creation.

On his part, Otu appreciated the Bakassi people for their support during the party primaries and said he owes them a big debt, which he will pay. He explained that the projects he will initiate would be people-oriented as demanded by them.

He acknowledged the peculiar challenges of Bakassi and assured the people that a special committee will be put in place to address all issues affecting the area because he intends to challenge all that has to be challenged.