By Emmanuel Ufon
For close to three years now, life has become hellish for Bassey Effiong an indigene of Ikot Ekpeyak Ikono in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The PDP grassroots Mobilizer has been moving from one hospital to the other in search of a cure for his ailment but to no avail.
According to him, St. Luke’s Hospital, recently recommended for the amputation of the affected leg, to which he declined and moved to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) where he is currently undergoing treatment with possible hope of a solution.
Papa as he is popularly called is an Orphan residing along Udoumana by Enwe street in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, said he had sold virtually all his property in pursuit of a medical solution to his health challenges.
In his words, life has become shattered by the unexpected occurrence.
“It started over two years ago with a minor cut on my leg by some unknown men who came to cause a problem at the Presbyterian Primary School Enwe street polling unit in Uyo where I normally vote.
“During the 2017 Local Government Election in Akwa Ibom State, some young men jumped into the polling unit through the school fence and we asked them why they did not use the main gate, suddenly one of them moved directly to me and accused me of always frustrating their moves at the unit even in 2015 general election. They jointly dealt with me and escaped before the police arrived. In all the injuries I sustained the one on my leg is giving me a serious problem up until today.
“In times like these, I need care and support of the very government that I fought for. I contributed my quota for the emergence of Imo Okon/Ukai Udeme Emmanuel here in Uyo but throughout the period of lockdown in addition to the injury I sustained, nothing was sent to me even the palliative that was going round, I feel neglected. When I contacted some excos of my party they told me they are no longer in charge, I feel neglected by my very people here”.
Papa said all attempts to meet with his brother, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Hon. Imo Okon, before the suspension proved abortive as he was always delayed at the reception for a long time after which he will be told that the Chairman was exhausted for the day.
On his part, the immediate past Chairman of Enwe Landlords/Tenants Association, Comrade Ita Dominic thanked all the Concerned Neighbors including Mr. Ndifreke Ufot of Ndy Games Shop; Mr. Okon Atara; Rev. Mfon Umoren of the Presbyterian Church including his humble self who has so far contributed financially to support the young man who is humble and respectful in the area.
He called on public-spirited individuals across party lines to see how the life of the humble young man can be returned to normalcy, irrespective of how he sustained the injury which has seriously affected his health.
” We, his Neighbors have done our best, each day Papa goes for the dressing of the wound at the hospital we spend not less than a thousand naira while searching for financial assistance to carry out numerous recommended test and subsequent purchase of drugs.
“His health condition is seriously deteriorating, we are hopeful that the teaching hospital will rescue the situation, we called on all public-spirited individuals to show concern as brothers, most especially the party that the young man was sympathetic to”.
Papa can be reached on 09021446555. Account number – 6939133010, Account name – Effiong, Bassey Edem. First City Monument Bank (FCMB).