Engage former fighters to combat piracy and kidnapping – Esang Bassey

In this interview with Lovina Emole of the Daily Post and other journalists, the President General of the Oro Development Union, Sir Esang Nsa Bassey, urged the Akwa Ibom State government to meet with the ex-militants who have expressed a willingness to cease their nefarious activities in light of the ongoing cases of sea piracy and kidnapping at the coastal communities in Oron, Akwa Ibom State. Among other things, he expressed his displeasure with the Ibaka deep seaport’s delay in coming to fruition.

What is the status of the bridge that the federal government promised to build over the Oron-Calabar River in 2013?

In actuality, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration awarded the bridge’s building contract in 2013 without providing any cash for the undertaking. In order to finish the bridge, we hope that the current Federal administration would organize contractors. It is roughly 13.5 kilometers.

When the bridge is finished, travel from the country’s southeast to its northeast will be easier, and the economy will grow. The residents of Northern Cross River will also gain in proportion. We implore the federal government to secure financing right now. Oron is still a coastal town that serves as a gateway from Nigeria to neighboring nations, including Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cameroon.

That’s why we ask the federal government to revive the project and find the reasons for its delay. We want them to quickly address the issue that arose because they were going to sign the funding deal, but there was a disagreement on where the bridge should begin and end. The federal government has a duty to maintain our shorelines and ensure that they do not deteriorate further than they now are. Another issue is the ongoing erosion of our seashores.

Is there a conflict between the administration of Akwa Ibom State and the people of Oro since, in contrast to other road projects, the Uyo, Nsit Atai, and Okobo roads have not been finished for a long time?

We, the people, have no issues with the government of Akwa Ibom State. The five local governments in Oro have supported the state administration since 1999, and they continue to do so now. However, I fail to see why we have been disregarded and why our path has remained unchanged for this long.

Although the current administration is making an effort to address the issue, things will remain as they are until they do. In actuality, Akwa Ibom State as a whole stays undeveloped unless Oro is developed.

We are grateful that the state government is attempting to address some of the road issues. We want the federal government to work on the trunk while the state government is doing that. Oron-Uyo Ikot-Ekpene-Aba is the route A.

The section connecting Uyo Oron, Ikot Ekpene and Aba Ikot Ekpene is currently under construction. trunk’s axis Good contractors should be chosen to build a road, and the project should be finished as quickly as possible as it will strengthen the local economy.

Is it possible to build the deep seaport in Ibaka?

Since the Federal government established an implementation committee with the goal of delivering the port within two years, we are unable to understand what transpired afterward. The Ibaka Deep Seaport has been deeply involved in politics over the years.

As of right now, the state administration has not provided us with an explanation for the federal government’s departure, the reason for the name change from Ibaka Deep harbor to Ibom Deep Seaport, or the location of the harbor.

Because Ibaka has a natural bay, I believe that someday a seaport will be built there. As I previously stated, unless Oron is developed, the rest of Akwa Ibom State will remain undeveloped because I don’t see how this state can grow economically and take advantage of the blue sea economy that the current federal government is promoting.

Visit Lagos State; you will find Tin Can Island, Apapa Wharf, Lekki Seaport, and another one under construction in Badagry. We are currently fighting for access to just one seaport.

I think it’s important for us to realize that everyone will gain from the construction of the port, not just the Oro people. Thus, no one should attempt to impede the initiative in the hopes of preventing the Oro people from reaping its benefits.

Additionally, the state will develop if the government permits the NNPC’s proposed solution hub to exist.

Do you not find it concerning that the Maritime Academy, which was raised to a university, has not yet started operations?

Indeed, we are quite concerned that Maritime Academy has not yet been able to operate as a university despite the law establishing it having been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022.

All that is left to do is for the federal government to designate a vice chancellor and form the governing council. We trust that Chief Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, will investigate it as he promised and see to it that it is fully implemented.

What steps has the union taken to address the alarmingly high prevalence of kidnapping and marine piracy in Oron?

Nationwide, insecurity has emerged as a significant issue. We are aware that things are getting out of hand in Oron; a once vibrant market and community are now reduced to a ghost town as a result of these people’s actions.

The local ex-militants paid me a courtesy call when I took office, and we discussed issues of insecurity, maritime piracy, and kidnapping. The ex-militants promised me that they would cooperate with me to see to it that insecurity is resolved. In other regions of the nation, the government employs former fighters to keep the calm by awarding them security contracts and pipeline protection.

Why then isn’t that being adopted by our state government? Why won’t our state administration communicate with these former fighters who committed to put an end to their militancy and ongoing kidnapping in Oron? They stated that they require financial and other assistance from the government. I use this opportunity to urge the government of Akwa Ibom State to address the problem of former fighters in Oron in order to reduce the insecurity that plagues the region.

Do you still think that the Oron nation will produce a governor soon? We’ve had notable Oron sons and daughters in government since the establishment of Akwa Ibom State, but none have gone on to become governors.

We are standing on three tripods, the other two have had their turn, and Oron will eventually occupy the hilltop mansion. My big dream is that one day we will have a governor of Oron extraction. We shall arrive, even if the Oron people are marginalized. All I know is that one must strive for political power rather than having it handed to them. Therefore, we must train our boys and daughters to have the will to work hard for power and then seize it.