Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has raised alarm over what he describes as the Federal Government’s insensitivity on the influx of refugees on the Nigeria-Cameroon border which stretches over 10 Local Government Areas in the State.
Ayade who was addressing Government House correspondents Thursday, in Calabar said with the present situation along the borderline, he should not be hold responsible for any outbreak of Coronavirus from Cameroon which has already recorded over 1,000 cases especially along its southern territory that shares common boundary with Cross State.
The Governor said he has severally informed the Federal Government through the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 to intervene, explaining that the State Government has done a lot to lockdown the borders with all the traditional rulers, government appointees keeping vigil to restrict movement in and out of the area.
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Governor Ayade said his strategic framework introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic into Cross River State is working but the Nigeria-Cameroon border is beyond his powers.
Meanwhile, commuters and vehicles conveying essential commodities into Cross River State have been locked out by the State Government Taskforce on Covid-19 as a result of fear of being carriers of the Coronavirus disease into the State.
Some of the drivers who spoke with journalists at the bridge end of Calabar-Itu Road on Thursday, said the food items exempted by the Federal Government free movement order are getting bad in their vehicles due to the lockdown.
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The drivers and traders called on Governor Ayade and security operatives to allow them into the State to discharge their goods and return back to their various destinations.
The State Taskforce on COVID-19 Response and the state Commissioner of Police, however pleaded for their support and understanding.
As at the time of filing this report, Governor Ayade has directed that the locked roads be open with strict condition that they should be led by security agencies to discharge their goods and return back to their States without interacting with anyone.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
