By JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

Cross River Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has pleaded with the management of West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to shelve plans to relocate from state following the vandalisation of their office during the recent hoodlums attack.

WAEC office is one of the federal institutions that were attacked by miscreants in the guise of #endSARS protest.

Following the destruction, the exam body temporarily relocated its Calabar branch office in Cross River, to WAEC zonal office, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

In a press statement signed by Ag. Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Nigeria, Demianus G. Ojijeogu, and dated November 3, 2020, it stated that “the relocation, which is an interim measure, is to enable the Council to continue to carry out its operations and render services to the Nigerian Child and other stakeholders.

‘We wish to assure all stakeholders and the general public that normal operations would resume in the Calabar Branch Office once the status quo ante is restored.”

Speaking during an assessment tour of the premises of the examination body to see the extent of destruction, Ayade promised to immediately provide the West African Examination Council (WAEC) with an alternative office and two Hilux operation vehicles.

He said: “Let me once more apologise profusely to WAEC management for what has happened because this is not in the nature and character of Cross Riverians. We deeply regret this.

“But I have to plead with you that you do not have to relocate to Uyo . We are going to provide an alternative office immediately. We will do everything we can because it is necessary for you to operate from here so that we can have quality examination, quality teaching and ensure that Cross Riverians also prosper and become who they want to become in the society.

“Moving out from here to Uyo will not serve the interest of Cross Riverians. I sincerely feel that we can have an emergency action plan that can help you restore this office but before we do that I have given an instruction that an emergency accomodation be provided for WAEC and we are also providing you two pick up vehicles to enable you get back on your feet .

“The young people involved do not know that it is for their sake that we are in this public office. So please let us not visit their sins on them, let us forgive them because that is what the Bible teaches. If you leave the state it will affect the quality of WAEC examination in Cross River State. We have a list of all the items needed and we are going to do the best.”

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Frances Iweha Onuku. Senior Deputy Registrar, Text Development Division (TDD), said: “The office was established to serve the people of Cross River State, but unfortunately what we are seeing here today leaves so much to be desired .

“The question now is, can we still serve the people of this state with the office in this condition? With the situation on ground now we have to relocate to Uyo. We have an examination coming up in the next few weeks and we will have to plan for the exams .

“At the end of this visit we will plead that whatever you can do with the special Grace of God so that we can continue to serve the people of Cross River State will be very much appreciated.” (Daily Sun)

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