Scandal Rocks Cross River Basin Authority Over Missing Tractor

Managing director, Cross River Basin Authority (CRBDA), Engr. Bassey Nkposong, has landed in trouble over mysterious disappearance of MF 275 tractor belonging to the authority.

The MD’s ordeal began in 2023, when a tractor belonging to the authority mysteriously disappeared from the vehicle yard where other farm machinery is parked in the premises of the Basin authority.

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

Investigating Police Officer ( IPO) ‎Supol Edet Okoho‎ told LEADERSHIP Friday that Nkposong had been invited by detectives from Police Anti-robbery unit of the State Investigation Department (SCID) Càlabar to answer questions on how the N9 million tractor mysteriously disappeared from the premises of the Basin authority but declined further comments on the issue.

Findings revealed that the tractor was driven out of the premises of Basin Authority when two young men stormed the vehicle yard of Basin Authority on October 6, 2023, at about 6:00 p.m. with 30 litres of diesel, the tractor’s battery, and an 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 authorisation letter, the two young men also presented to the security supervisor, tractor ignition keys that was supposed to be in the custody of the workers’ union chairman Mr. Joe Effiong or the MD Engr. Bassey Nkposong.

The country director for the Rescue Support Initiative (RSI), Barr. Ayei Okpa, who is leading an agitation for accountability and transparency in the recovery of the missing tractor, expressed displeasure over the management of Basin Authority’s attempt to victimize its principal Works Superintendent officer, Mr. Mission Udo, even though 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 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 the management of Basin Authority was jettisoned by the court, as that will amount to taking the law into thier 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 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).”

The managing director of Cross River Basin Authority (CRBDA), Engr. Bassey Nkposong, denied any wrongdoing in a telephone conversation, saying that it was the handwork of blackmailers who wanted to pull him down.