Enugu indigenes evacuated from CAR seek government support

The returnees loitered around ENTRACO park because they did not have money to travel.

Some indigenes of Enugu State that were evacuated from the Central African Republic, CAR, hung around Enugu State Transport Company, ENTRACO, park as they did not have the resources to travel back home.

The returnees who spoke in Enugu on Tuesday asked the state government and public spirited individuals to come to their aid as their means of livelihood and property were destroyed in the war-devastated country.

Joseph Ani from Oduma in Aninri Local Government Area said they needed assistance to enable them cater for their families and discourage criminal activities among them.

“Some of us do not even have money to transport ourselves to our various local government areas,” he said.

“We are pleading with the government to help us because we came back with few of our luggage.

“We do not have any thing doing here in Nigeria. We are appealing to the state government and public spirited individuals to assist us in starting up businesses,’’ he added.

Mr. Ani, who is also the Secretary of the Enugu State Progressive Union in the CAR, commended the federal and state governments for assisting in bringing them back to the state.

Another returnee, Diane Odih, called for the state government’s support on the education of her two children.

Ms. Odih, who is from CAR but married to an indigene of the state, called on Nigeria to assist in settling the crisis in the country.

“We came here because there is war in my country. I want the government to help me because we lost everything.

“I want them to admit my children in their schools and give my husband a small job,’’ she said.

Samuel Ibe from Amagunze in Nkanu East LGA advised Nigerians to desist from travelling to crisis-prone countries to avoid a recurrence of their experience.

“I am very happy because I came back with my life. I am grateful to the government,’’ he said.

Chigozie Okoro commended the ENTRACO, for the kind gesture and assistance throughout their trip to the state.