The Cross River State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Mr. Eric Anderson has bemoaned the wanton destruction of tourism facilities in the state following the protest witnessed across Nigeria.
In what can be described as an ‘uncoordinated coordinated’ method of carnage activities that recently ravaged the State capital, Calabar and some Local government areas, Anderson said the mayhem suffered by both government and private individuals especially the State’s tourism facilities is the worst incident ever experienced in the State, saying that it was indeed disheartening, and prayed for God’s strength on the road to recovery for affected parties.
Mr Anderson made this known in Calabar after accompanying the State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade and his entourage on an assessment tour to areas ravaged by the rampaging youths, which included the TINAPA Free Trade Zone, Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), amongst others.
The Commissioner said it is a sad moment for the State, the government and for the masses especially as it affects the States’ tourism products as facilities and festival equipment that has taken painstaking years and resources to acquire and sustain, has either been vandalized or looted.
He said although some looted items have been recovered, they are in bad shape but that efforts are being made to salvage the situation, saying the tourism sector will survive these trying times and like the mythical Phoenix, will rise up from the ashes.
The Commissioner while condemning in totality the destructive acts, in what would be #ENDSARS protests condemning police brutality, metamorphosing uncontrollably into looting and vandalism, called on youth like himself to put a stop to being used as tools to disrupt peace in the society.
Responding to measures the Government needs to put in place to avoid a repeat of what has happened, Mr. Anderson said it should be noted that government is not insensitive to the yearnings of the masses as the critical demands put to government, had already starting getting attention so it was quite unexpected what happened, adding that governance is a process that requires patience and perseverance from both the governed and the government but that the government will continue to ensure that the demands are met so that normalcy can return.
By: Achiane Adams
