The Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mike Odere, has revealed the State Government needs N100 billion Naira to fix facilities damaged in the State during the End SARS protest in 2020.
Odere, therefore, said that the level of destruction witnessed during the EndSARS protest made the State Government to stand firmly against current nationwide hunger protest.
The Commissioner made this disclosure while fielding questions in an interview in Calabar on Wednesday. He said the Cross River State requires the sum of N100 billion to fix government assets that were destroyed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.
“Knowing what the cost implications of repairing or replacing assets, we chose not to allow a repeat of any protest,” he said.
Odere, therefore, commended people of Cross River State for supporting the government’s position on none violent protests. He tasked the people on the need to promote peace all the time.
He said that the ongoing protest had severely affected the economy because several public and private businesses had been shutdown during the period.
“We know the country is challenged, but it’s not unique to Nigeria. We must be decorous in our protests, violence does not pay.
“The essence of protest is not to destroy, it should be to make a change. We protest to be heard and we protest to say that things are not being done rightly.
“It can no longer be called a protest when we begin to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.”
Odere noted that the Bassey Otu-led government was fully aware of the current situation in the country. He informed that government at all levels were working to enthrone change.
He said, “In Cross River, the government is carrying out several reforms to improve the living standard of the residents.
“Our efforts in education, agriculture, solid minerals, security among others are visible. We are aware of our mandate to serve our state.”
source: NAN
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