The people of Biakpan in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State have expressed happiness at the increasing attraction of their community to the outside world.
This weekend no fewer than 200,000 worshippers, tourists, researchers, itinerant traders, merchants and filmmakers from Nigeria and abroad are again in Biakpan, the birthplace of a renowned spiritual leader, Olumba Olumba Obu for their annual pilgrimage.
Natives of Biakpan have commended the religious group, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star whose teeming membership has turned their community into their pilgrimage site.
The paramount ruler of Biakpan, which has 12 clans, Onun Enun Bassey, in an interview with Niger Delta Trust, said the influx of members of the religious groups from time to time has transformed their community into a tourist site and led to the building of hotels and a $3 million rubber processing plant.
“Their sheer number has tremendously impacted our local economy because the fold will usually spend three to four days in our community, spending good money to buy local products thereby enriching our people.
The slow-running stream in our community, as well as the hut where the leader of the fold was born over 100 years ago, are their major attractions. They have many groups that come in here in their numbers, not just during the annual pilgrimage at the end of the year. These constant influxes have a positive impact on our community.”
A prominent lawyer who is also an indigene of Biakpan community, Mba Ukweni (SAN) said aside from the pollution of the water and the environment following the influx of tourists, the community was very happy with the visitors.
“We are truly happy that frequently members of the Brotherhood fold come on pilgrimage to our community.
“Their coming has usually bolstered our local economy. The only disadvantage is that the huge crowd would naturally negate environmental cleanliness. But that’s not much of a problem. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We welcome them.”
Reacting, Archbishop Mike Ntuk, who is in charge of arranging and managing the pilgrimage, said they have set up conveniences and other facilities to take care of the huge crowd.
”We have sanitation and security taskforces to take care of the worries of the community. We work in concert with the Nigeria Police outpost in Biakpan.
“The 3-day pilgrimage is a solemn and spiritual one, giving no room for random activities.”
The Commissioner for Tourism, Eric Anderson, said the government was excited at the attraction of Biakpan to tourists both from within and outside the country.
