By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The palace of Obong of Càlabar, in conjunction with the treaty king of Efik kingdom, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the 78th monarch of Efiks, yesterday urged management of Ekondo Microfinance Bank and Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikot Omin Eno Abasi Circuit Diocese, Calabar, to have a round-table discussion to forge a way to resolve the disagreement that ensued between them, following the crash of telecommunication mast leading to destruction of church property valued at N35 million.
The treaty king advocated for a round table discussion to find a solution to the issue rather than being at each other’s throat.
The monarch gave the advice in Calabar, shortly after the leadership of the church conducted members of the Obong’s Palace round the damaged property to see the extent of damage that followed after the mast crashed and destroyed the Methodist Church property, rendering the resident pastor homeless.
Recall that last month, a telecom mast owned by the micro-finance institution collapsed and fell on the residential quarters of the minister-in-charge, Rev. Evans Uwaoma, and rendered the clergyman homeless.
Other things that were were damaged as a result of the crashed-mast include office equipment like computers, books back view of the pastors residence, among others.
The Church building got destroyed following a torrential rainfall, that led to the destruction, prompting the church authority to demand for N35 million compensation, to enable them fix the pastor’s residence and office equipment that were destroyed amongst other items.
Speaking on behalf of the Obong of Calabar, His Highness, Chief Barr. Bassey Duke, who led other members of Obong’s Palace, including Chief Gershom Henshaw, after moving round the church premises, called for peace between both parties in order to find a way forward to resolve the crisis.
The Obong who commented after inspection of the facility during the 2nd annual Synod with a theme: ‘Arise and Build,’ stressed that dialogue was the only option to get the disagreement resolved.
In his remarks, Youth Leader of the church, Sylvester Akpan, expressed dissatisfaction over the attitude of the financial institution in handling the collapsed telecom mast, accusing the financial institution of lacking the will power to resolve the mast issue.
He said, “I’m surprised that an institution like Ekondo Micro Finance could drag their feet in a matter that involved the residence of the minister in charge.
“Is this how they would have behaved if the telecom mast had killed someone?
“We thank God that no life was lost in the unfortunate incident that destroyed property worth millions belonging to the church.
“I know too well that if it were the bank’s property that was damaged by now they would have drag whoever that is the culprit to court to claim damages.
“I heard management of the financial institution had a meeting with leadership of our church not quite long ago.
“From what I gathered, what they offered to pay shows they aren’t willing to take responsibility for the damaged property valued by professionals at N35 million.
“To me it’s peanut, that amount will not be enough to take care of repairs from electrical, structural repairs and office equipment. If what I gathered is true, that is bad! The financial institution isn’t fair to the church at all.”
