THE SITUATION OF AMBAZONIA REFUGEES IN NIGERIA

• Socio Cultural
• June 17, 2022

As we talk about the refugee crisis and the upcoming World Refugee it is important for us to . It is important for us to look at the situation of Ambazonian refugees in Nigeria. The nation of Nigeria has been receiving the fleeing peoples of Ambazonia since 2016. Despite some of the difficulties these suffering people are facing, the Cross River State has shown some concern a couple of times you know. Remarkably the governor. The Cross River State Governor. And would say that he is so passionate. Now let's get to discover some aspect of this figure to better understand why he has been an exception on Ambazonian refugee relief in Nigeria. Cross river state governor requesting for tax cuts and cries on camera for what he considers failure on his parT. Ben Ayade is the governor of Cross River state, Nigeria, he has exempted some persons and organisations from paying tax in the state. But Before we go further, let's ask ourselves, What is Tax?

Tax is a compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions. 2022 is Considered a Political Year In Nigeria, Could this be A political tactic from the Governor? I can't categorical place his stand, but then, Ben Ayade, the governor of cross river state said this speaking at the inauguration of an anti-tax agency headed by Emma Isong, a bishop, said it is sad that government which does not meet the needs of the people in many areas still collects tax from them. He said it’s better for him to “task my brain” than to expect tax from people who are still struggling.. The governor said as he went round the state, he noticed the level of poverty which has made some people stay in mud houses. Ayade, who broke down in tears, said: “I never knew that five years as governor, there would still be people living in thatched houses in Cross River. I almost cried because I knew how prepared I was but it didn’t end the way I dreamt for the state. I wish God would intervene because I really wish I could help. It’s very painful.”

Oh well, he goes on to say, " if it pleases God,He should take his wealth so that other people in the state could be rich. h well, that could just be a Political statement. But then he continues to say, “I charge you that this responsibility comes with its own troubles, you have a choice to do that which is good and the selection of this team is based on your history, it’s based on your profile,” He said. "We charge you to ensure that the poor masses of Cross River State and the small business owners do not come under the harsh hands of the desperate search for money by tax consultants. He continues by saying. “Your responsibility from today going forward is to put an end to illicit taxes on people. We have a tax law here that prescribes the people. We have a tax law here that prescribes the people who are exempted from tax. All those categories of people and those that from time to time will be so announced by the Governor, including every single hotel that has less than 50 rooms in Calabar and the whole state, today are exempted from payment of taxes. In his concluding words, he said: “We have exempted all Okada riders, taxi drivers, airport taxi drivers, small saloon owners, small catering and restaurant points popularly called mama put. All those people who sell basic things struggling to earn a living, they have been exempted today from paying tax. We have exempted them because it is better for me as governor to rather task my brain, than to tax my people.”

That's quite remarkable and emotional. I wish other politicians will emulate such behaviours. It is important to highlight that the Cross River Government on January 21, 2018 provided relief items to Southern Cameroonian refugees on the leadership of this same leader. Still under his leadership, Cross River reportedly donated 100 hectares, N800m to Ambazonian refugees on 31 January 2020. The House of Assembly Speaker, Eteng Williams, disclosed this then during the HumanitarianDevelopment Nexus meeting between the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), state ministries and international agencies. He said the land was to enable them to farm and be self-employed. While commending the UN agency for constructing inner city roads, schools, temporary residential blocks and other infrastructure for the refugees, he said that the host communities should also be carried along. His words, “We need you to carry the state government along as you continue with your commendable involvement and support to ease the burdens of the refugees and host communities. But we need you to provide more boreholes for the refugees and host communities. While we commend you for building school blocks, please remember to provide desks for the children.

“On our part, the state government has since extended a further sum of N800 million and 100 hectares of our lands to enable the refugees to do some farming.” Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Disaster Management and Humanitarian Crises, Hilary Bisong, accused the Federal Government of bias by allowing Cross River to carry the burden of about 51,723 Southern Cameroonian refugees while focusing on the North East. I think that is a gross underestimation! Oh yes that is a gross underestimation. Even as we speak, the UNHCR report doesn't really give the actual figures and you would want to ask but why? Southern Cameroonian Refugees in Nigeria - Operational Update, May 2022 by UNHCR goes thus: Over 77,000 Cameroonian refugee men, women, and children are registered in Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Benue,Cross River, Enugu, and Taraba States. At least 300 refugees and locals received non-food items including blankets, kitchen sets and mosquito nets in Benue and Cross River State (CRS). UNHCR launched the Network on Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) for the Cameroonian refugee response in CRS. Even at that, the underestimation I mean, it is so unfortunate to see the number of people even receiving help. Let's find what the actual calculations is and Gab Ellison has this report.