The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the relocation of its branch office in Calabar, Cross River State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the recent vandalisation and looting of the office.

Several public and private facilities were vandalised and looted in Calabar and other nearby cities in Cross River by hoodlums on October 24 as a fallout of the nationwide #EndSARS protest.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the acting head of Corporate Affairs of WAEC, Demianus Ojijeogu, said the office relocation is “temporary”.

“The relocation, which is an interim measure, is to enable the Council to carry out its operations and render services to Nigerian child and other stakeholders.

“We wish to assure all our stakeholders and the general public that normal operations would resume in Calabar branch office once the status quo ante is restored,” the statement said.

With the relocation, it means the people, especially students, in Cross River would have to travel about 95 km from Calabar to Uyo for their dealings with WAEC.

The journey could take longer hours and also be more strenuous because of the poor state of the federal road linking the two states.

WAEC, in the statement, apologised for “any inconvenience that may arise as a result of this relocation”.

The governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, had pleaded with the examination body not to relocate its Calabar office, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.


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,” Mr Ayade was quoted as saying when he visited the vandalised WAEC office on Tuesday.

“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 accommodation 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,” the governor said

Ilaumoh:
Hahaha, Calabar is officially finish

HollisHogan1:
You and other jealous and envious Akwa ibom people will die of hate soon.
it's only temporary ,they will move back to Calabar. And I think all states have the WAEC offices.
Thanks to Akwa ibom hoodlums for looting and vandalizing Calabar.

Ebenezer202I:
cross River people are thieves from birth, yet they keep blaming Akwaibomites for their failures.
Also Calabar people (the Efiks) are not as educated as their Akwa ibom counterparts that's why they find it hard to progress

HollisHogan1:
All the crimes , prostitution and everything bad at Calabar are by Akwa ibom people .

Benesis:
One thing with family is that you may fight and quarrel, and create distance, but family is family...

I pray the office should be here temporarily.
Udom needs to talk with Ayade, the talk of Akwa ibomites looting Calabar is getting stale, why will akwa ibom people go that far to loot yet command palliative warehouse in uyo they dare not break in.

I feel this is a ploy to have a scapegoat to blame for all the woes and this if not checked now might lead to deep emnity... Udom needs to mediate, if need be, pay, if after investigation its found out that the allegation is true. Be that as it may, the fight and emnity is not necessary.

HollisHogan1:
Akwa ibom exports it's burdens to other states. Once all Akwa ibom people leave Calabar and Cross river there'll be progress. Akwa ibom people are bad luck . very bad people .

HollisHogan1:
I'm Efik. I think there should be a program which compesnates Akwa ibom people to go back to their state and never let them back in to Calabar. you are burdens and irritants. Although I'm sure there are some good ones doing businesses or schooling .,only those should be allowed to stay and there should not be more than 1000 Akwa ibom people living in Calabar at a time. same applies to others there needs to be some discipline and all states need to carry their burdens .

Benesis:
Utor doo..
WEAC you guys can keep it there,
There's love in sharing, we have alot already,

HollisHogan1:
You and other jealous and envious Akwa ibom people will die of hate soon.
it's only temporary ,they will move back to Calabar. And I think all states have the WAEC offices.
Thanks to Akwa ibom hoodlums for looting and vandalizing Calabar.

Ebenezer202I:
cross River people are thief from birth

Benesis:

Die this talk