Cross Rivers government snubs NPA gesture — rejects Covid-19 donation

Abiola Seun

The Management of Cross Rivers Waste Management Agency (CRWMA) has rejected the four skip bins donated by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) due to paltry nature of the gift.

Its General Manager, Mr Sunday Oko, said the agency rejected the donation of the four skip bins presented to it by NPA, Cross River office, being part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to him, the paltry nature of the donation from NPA, which is a Federal parastatal agency, in a period of a global health crisis, was unfair to Cross River people.

“Corporate organisations executing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should do it intentionally to create a change, rather than seeking media attention or other selfish agenda.

”I thank all those who have supported the state government in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus, it has seen Cross Rivers to remain COVID-19 free.

“I charge owners and good spirited individuals to continue supporting the Gov. Ben Ayade-led administration in its approach to ensure that the state remains safe and habitable for all,” he said.

Oko added that the Government of Cross Rivers was ready to partner with well-meaning bodies on causes that would boost development in the state.

Earlier, presenting the bins to the agency, the Calabar, Port manager, Mrs Marie Asien, said the bins would provide succour to some residents.

Asien, represented by the Chief Internal Auditor, Mrs Inyang Akon, said that people of Esukatan and Ekorinim Communities, both in Calabar Municipal, would have access to the bins closer to them.

Responding to the rejection of the bins, she said that the donation was part of the port’s goodwill to contribute to the immediate communities.

She said that the bins were meant to alleviate the sufferings of people of the two communities in disposing off their wastes.

The port manager said that people do not need to walk considerable distance to dispose their waste.

Asien commended the state government’s unwavering commitment, which she said, had culminated in the clean and green status of the state.