Refugee Welfare: Cross River State reiterates commitment to support UNHCR

The Cross River State Government has restated its commitment to support the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, on refugee’s welfare.

The Commissioner for the Ministry of International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong made the remark when she played host to officials of the UNHCR in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.

Effective Synergy

Dr Asibong, who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, on behalf of the Cross River Government, suggested that for there to be effective synergy between the state and agency, activities relating to the welfare of refugees should be properly outlined.

According to her, “The UNHCR needs to make its programmes and projects available to Cross River State Government to enhance this partnership. UNHCR has been working in Cross River State and I know that you are doing very well. I have, on several occasions, been to the Refugee settlement camp in Ogoja local government area.

“However, since these refugees are within our state and must be catered for, it is good for the State Government to work with your agency to achieve the set programmes and projects you have outlined for the refugee. We do not want to duplicate rather we would prefer to compliment whatever you are doing particularly in the area of welfare for the refugees and it is our hope that this MOU will enable us achieve that,” she stated further.

Earlier, the leader of the UNHCR team, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele said that Cross River was one of the states where refugees were treated with dignity due to the pragmatic leadership of Governor Ben Ayade.

Bekele expressed delight about the agreement reached, noting that the agency appreciated the support of the Cross River Government.

He stated that the UNHCR was in Cross River, Benue and Taraba, saying “Our office in Ogoja currently oversees all refugees’ programmes including those from the Republic of Cameroun camped in Cross River, Benue and Taraba.”

“The choice of Ogoja local government area for our office is because that is where we have the largest number of refugees. We do agree with this MOU as it will improve support from the State Government,” Bekele stated.

SLOGOR Project

Meanwhile, The World Bank – European Union assisted State and Local Governance Reform, SLOGOR, Project in Cross River State has rounded off.

The State Chairman of the Steering Committee of the World Bank Project, Dr Inyang Asibong said Cross River received a pass mark for effective and efficient implementation of SLOGOR.

Asibong, who attributed the success of the programme to the enabling environment and political will of the governor, Senator Ben Ayade, explained that the project, which had a time frame of seven years – 2015 to 2021, succeeded despite challenges during the implementation.

She said, “In the post intervention assessment conducted by the World Bank as part of the close out modalities for the SLOGOR project, which ended in March 2021, Cross River was rated very high amongst other participating states in the country.” 

“The results from data analysis showed expert execution and positive results across board using the bespoke SLOGOR checklist. This is a good recommendation coming from the apex global bank,” she added.

PIAK