We'll Reintegrate Belegete People Back to Mainstream C'River North Community, says Group
By Ndifreke BASSEY
A leading Socio-Cultural group, Who is who in Northern Cross River has stated its resolve to
reintegrate Belegete people back to mainstream community and give them a sense of belonging.
The group is made up of sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of Cross River North and is non-political group.
The group, which visited the displaced people of Belegete taking refuge on the Obudu Ranch Resort, also presented items including 300 bags of 50kg Rice, 5 bags of 100kg garri, 158 pieces of blanket and 10 bags of 100kg beans.
The delegation led by Chief Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe resolved among others to ascertain the remote and instant cause of the crisis, try to mitigate against the consequences of the crisis and attract the attention of all the three tiers of government to the plight of the Belegete people.
The group would also ascertain the perennial problems of the people which are possible reasons for their vulnerability to such crisis and make recommendations to appropriate quarters, reintegrate the people of Belegete back to mainstream Cross River North community and give them a sense of belonging.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe,
informed the IDPs of Belegete
this non-political group has heard their distressed cry.
He assured the people that they are not alone in this as the group's philosophy is built upon the foundation laid by our fore-fathers who were communal in character and civil in attitude.
Enamhe added that it is, therefore, imperative to consolidate on these core values of our people in other to move the people forward in our quest for development in the 21st century where there is a strong need for regional and cultural identity.
The group's delegation to Belegete included Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ubua, Dr. Isaac Ishamali, Elder Agba Ebenezer Agba, Dr. Mrs Mary Mark Ogbeche, Dr. Mrs. Martina Ntino, Mr. Roland Ugeh and Mr. John Okom.
Responding, the newly-crowned Village Head, chief John Abraham, commended the group for the sacrificial visit putting together items that reminded them of the visit of the Magi to the new born king Jesus more than 2000 years ago.
He narrated their ordeal in the hands of Ambazonian separatists, which he said, was a bizarre display of man's inhumanity to man.
According to the Village Head, "the people of Belegete are a peace loving community, and were peacefully carrying on their daily activities when the devil struck that faithful day. People who were returning from their farms, markets, and other personal endeavours were attacked mercilessly and some were killed while others were maimed.
"I can tell you that the attack was unprovoked and unwarranted. The people of Belegete did not know anything about the Ambazonian separatists until the attack on their community.
"And that as a border community, they have seen people crisscrossing the area going to and fro their businesses without let or any hindrance. But on this black day, they were attacked by unknown gunmen. They later were informed that they were fleeing separatists from Cameroon and perhaps they were in search of shelter and supplies."
Abraham called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency provide the community with basic infrastructures such as motorable roads, police post or better still a joint security post, adding that Belegete community is rich in mineral resources yet to be tapped because of inaccessibility to the place.
Other traditional leaders present Include the clan head, HRH Chief Sunday Ichile, Village Head, community leader, Mr C. K. Aondo and youth leader, Comrade Eyos Kelvin.
