Cross River State Government had announced that it requires N100 billion to restore public property destroyed during the #EndSARS protests held in 2020. Finance Commissioner Mike Odere revealed this information in an interview in Calabar.
The commissioner also said that any protest whether violent or not should always lead to good results. “We have understood that repairing or replacing these destroyed properties can be very costly. We do not want this kind of situation to repeat itself again,” he added.
The Commissioner commended the residents for supporting the government’s position on non-violent protest, stressing the importance of promoting peace.
He pointed out that as a result of the protest many businesses both public and private were closed down, which brought about an economic downturn.
As a result he said “Most importantly protests should be aimed at uplifting rather than destroying” Odere affirmed. “In other words there is no gain in violence.
The main aim of protests is to influence change and be heard while addressing grievances. Violating other people’s basic human rights defeats the very purpose of protesting.”
He reassured that the current administration led by Governor Bassey Otu recognizes these challenges and is working towards implementing reforms.
“We are implementing various initiatives in Cross River with regard to education improvement, agricultural support, solid minerals development, security provision among others.
