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foreigners stranded at the Calabar sea port following the breakdown of a
vessel conveying them from Gabon to Benin Republic have been evacuated
by road to their various countries
The Nationals from Togo,
Burkina Faso, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Guinea were
forced to terminate their sea journey in Calabar when a passenger vessel
–Emiliana-Carneiro made an emergency berthing at the port when one of
the engines malfunctioned and a leakage on the floor of the ship was
observed.
Over 10 buses conveying the passengers were escorted by Immigration, police and other security agents.
While
in the port facilities, the state government through its humanitarian
outfit, the State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) provided them with
food, water, blankets, toiletries and health needs for the sick and
pregnant women.
The
Director General of the agency, Mr. John Inaku who spent time
interacting with people wished them a safe transit through the state and
the country to their various destinations.
Mr. Inaku
commended the state governor Prof. Ben Ayade for the prompt response to
their plight by providing them with the essentials for their comfort
while in the state.
He
emphasized that the actions of the governor was a testimony of his
magnanimity and sensitivity to the needs of people without an iota of
ethnic, racial or color bias.
The Special Adviser to Governor on Special
Duties, Mr. Victor Odo in his comment said that he was pleased with the
dexterity of the management and staff of SEMA in the administration of
the essentials to the stranded passengers.
Reacting
Mohammed Buhari (36) from Niger said that the gesture of the Cross
River State Government was overwhelming and that the negative pictures
painted about Nigeria abroad lacked merit and truth.
He described Nigerians as friendly, accommodating and sensitive to the wellbeing of human beings.
Abdulsalam
Isa (69)said that he was surprised that the state and the country of
Nigeria could be so hospitable contrary to the wrong notion he had
hitherto held.
According
to him, even though it was not the fault of the Nigerian Government
that they made an emergency birthing in Calabar, it did not deter the
government from showing humanitarian gestures and love by their approach
and dexterity to their situation.
Other
passengers who spoke with our correspondent said that though they were
angry with the development which caused them to miss the celebration of
the yuletide with their families the action of the government and
people of Nigerians has calmed their nerves as their interaction hah
portrayed the people of Nigeria as wonderful, friendly and
accommodating.
David Akate
Deputy Director Public Affairs
Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
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