World Bank Officials Escape From Attack in Calabar

Five officials from the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and the Federal Ministry of Environment assisted by the World Bank on assignment to verify claims in a petition by some group of persons over the Ikot Nkebre Erosion project sites in Calabar, Cross River State on Monday escaped attack by suspected hoodlums.

The officials, who arrived the project-site office of the contractor AKPAVEN Nig. Limited, handling the $3million World Bank sponsored Ikot Nkebre Erosion management project, fled after policemen had cause to release teargas canisters to disperse the hoodlums who stormed the site office of the contractor.

Eyewitness said the hoodlums stormed the contractor’s office around 10am in two hillux trucks and five motor bikes.

“What I heard them saying was that they (thugs) came to warn the company not to allow any of their trucks outside their premises until they settle their problem with the government.

“They said, otherwise if any truck is seen outside the company premises, it will be impounded and the driver will be beaten up.

“As they were issuing the threats, the World Bank assisted officials of NEWMAP drove in. One of the Special Adviser to the Governor on NEWMAP who was around the scene and tried to take pictures with her phone was accosted with slaps by the thugs and forced to delete the pictures from her phone. That was the point the Police shot teargas to disperse the thugs,” an eyewitness said.

Commissioner for International Development and Cooperation whose Ministry is overseeing the NEWMAP office and projects in acting capacity, Dr. Inyang Asibong, confirmed the attack.

She said: “You know the communities have, two factions or there about, so it’s possible for them to be fighting themselves”.

-NATION