Rep withdraws motion to investigate N37 billion Bakassi relocation fund

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Uduyok on Wednesday withdraws a motion calling for investigation of the release and use of N37 billion for relocation and welfare of the Bakassi people of Cross Rivers state.

The lawmaker applied for the withdrawal of the motion when it was the turn of the lawmaker to move the motion.

The withdrawn motion read in part: “recalls that the Nigerian Government ceded ‎Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon on October 12, 2002 following the judgment of the International Court of Justice at the Hague, Netherlands, as a result of which the people of Bakassi became displaced with nowhere to call home in their own country.

“Aware that over time, the Federal Government made a lot of promises to resettle the people and actually approved billions of Naira to be disbursed for the purpose of their relocation and welfare, out of which, the sum of N37 billion was alleged to have been released by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as part of the Federal Government’s relocation fund for the Bakassi people.

“Concerned about the enormous suffering the people have been undergoing in the last 15 years since their displacement ‎which has led to many of them dying from hunger and diseases and a vast number living in makeshift homes while their children of school age are out of schools, despite the enormous sum claimed to have been released for their relocation and resettlement.”

‎The lawmaker had proposed that the House should resolve to “set up an Ad hoc committee to: investigate the process of disbursement of the funds to determine whether it was in line with the guidelines approved by the federal government.

“Embark on a visit to the displaced people of Bakassi in cross Rivers state to assess their needs and make recommendations on ways to ensure their relocation and re settlement and report back in 6 weeks for further legislative action.”