From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The director general of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA Apostle James Anam says the state is playing host to over 48, 000 refugees.
Apostle Anam said the state government is very intentional about the welfare of these refugees who are largely congregated at Agom 1, Agom 3 and Ukende settlements in Ogoja, Northern Cross River State.
In his words ‘In Cross River State, we have over 48,000 Refugee in the three settlements of Agom 1, Agom 3 and Ukende in Ogoja.
“We have other displaced persons in Akamkpa, Obubra, Etung, Bakassi but predominantly we have them in Ogoja.We have a data of the entire refugee that we have in our state”, Apostle Anam said.
He added that the present administration in the state is implementing strategies to ensure they are properly reintegrated in their host communities.
“We are very intentional about the livelihood of these refugees and they are entitled to social amenities, things Cross Riverians enjoy, they will also enjoy with us.
“We have earmarked a lot of strategies to make sure that they are reintegrated officially with the host community.
“Most of them are teaching in schools in Ogoja, they have been integrated fully into the scheme of things and are in the payroll of the state already”, the DG said.