758 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.
