Scandal rocks Cross River Basin Authority Over Missing Tractor 

From Ene Asuquo,Calabar 

 Cross River Basin Development Authority Calabar is engulfed in scandal over missing Tractor  which has landed the Managing Director (MD),  Engr. Bassey Nkposong in trouble

The  mysterious disappearance  of MF 275  tractor belonging to the  Basin Authority  where it was parked, in the premises of the company sparked off trouble in 2023

A  source which had been on the trail  alleged that a component of the tractor had  been recovered from the MD’s personal farm at Anyanganse farm in Akpabuyo local government area which is a few  kilometers away from the state capital  by a crack team of the Nigerian police who had been on the trail.

Investigating Police officer ( IPO) ‎Supol Edet Okoho‎ told our reporter that Nkposong had  been invited by detectives from Police Anti-robbery unit of the State Investigation Department (SCID)  Calabar to answer questions  on  Tuesday  on how N9m  tractor mysteriously  disappeared from the premises of Basin authority but declined further comments on the issue..

Findings  revealed that the tractor was driven out  from the premises of Basin Authority when two young men stormed the vehicle  yard of Basin Authority on October 6,2023, at about 6:pm with 30 litres of diesel, tractor’s battery and authorization letter addressed to the Chief security of the Basin Authority.

The letter purported to have been issued by a high ranking officer in the organization, authorized  the release  of the tractor  to the two strangers so that they can make the tractor available for physical inspection by external auditors, and thereafter be returned  to Basin Authority the following day. 

Apart from the authorization letter,the two young men  also  presented to the security supervisor tractor ignition keys that were supposed  to be in the  custody  of  the workers’ union chairman Mr. Joe Effiong or the MD Engr. Bassey Nkposong.

Country director for Rescue Support Initiative (RSI), Barr. Ayei Okpa, leading agitation for accountability and transparency in recovery  of missing tractor expressed displeasure over an attempt by management of Basin Authority to victimize the principal Works Superintendent officer Mr. Mission Udo, even when the matter is already in court.

Ayei, who is also in charge of arraignment in court with the works officer, expressed shock that those at the top echelon of the parastatal cannot exonerate themselves regarding the missing tractor only to rope the works officer in suit No. MC/188C/2024 at the magistrate court presided by Chief Magistrate E.A Orim of being responsible for the theft of the missing tractor.

However a  letter, reference No:CRB/AD/M.5/5/Vol XIII dated  September 10, 2024 inviting the works superintendent to appear before a  disciplinary committee set up by management of Basin Authority  was jettisoned by the court, as that will amount to taking the law into their hands and as such declared the invitation null and void.

When contacted, on the issue, workers’ union chairman Cross River  Basin authority, Mr. Joseph Etim Effiong for  his input on the issue  he said,” I can’t speak with a journalist  on telephone  unless you visit our office.

In his remarks, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Cross River State,  SP Irene Ugbo, said, ” I will get back to you once I get input from Supol Edet Effiong  who is the  investigating police officer (IPO).

Managing director of Cross River Basin Authority CRBDA Engr.  Bassey Nkposong, in a telephone conversation denied any wrongdoing saying that it’s the handwork of black mailers who are interested to pull him down.