Cross River withdraws Ita-Giwa’s official car over relief materials diversion

As the face-off between Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and the Cross River State Government deepens, the later has withdrawn the official Toyota Prado Jeep attached to her. This was contained in a letter dated June 9 addressed to her in her capacity as Chairman of the Board of Bakassi Deep Seaport.

The withdrawal might not be unconnected with her recent decamping to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and whistle-blowing on the alleged diversion of relief materials meant for Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Atai Ema, said to have been grabbed by top government and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials in the state.

The letter, captioned, ‘Request for Return of Vehicle,’ from the state government said: “With compliments and best wishes from the office of the Governor, I most respectfully request you to please return the black Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep officially allocated to you by this office on September 6, 2016,”

The letter signed by the Director of Administration, Mr. David Edem, added: “The vehicle, with chassis number JTEBX9FJXCK233671, is required to boost our depleted fleet and deepen our service delivery responsibilities.

“Any inconvenience caused by this request is regretted, while thanking you for your understanding, even as your prompt response to this notice is anticipated. “Please, accept the assurances our deepest respect, consideration and esteemed regards.”

In her absence, the vehicle was on June 15 retrieved by the Transport Officer in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Bisong Agbe, who acknowledged receipt, stating: “I received, with thanks, one Toyota Prado Jeep returned by Ita-Giwa. Vehicle is in good working condition.”

But the former senator condemned the way and manner the vehicle was retrieved, saying the governor in their private discussion, had verbally accepted that she can keep the vehicle, only for some persons to storm her house on June 15, same day some government officials were in Ata Ema trying to defend government’s position regarding the diverted relief materials and at the same time denouncing her as a Bakassi leader.

Ita-Giwa, who claimed no letter was written to her, said: “No matter the attempt to intimidate me, I will not give up on that fight. I have been on the struggle for Bakassi for about 28 years and now on this struggle, I will not give up.