Coastal Highway: Tension brews in Cross River over alleged compensation of ‘wrong landlords’

Forum 3 months ago

Coastal Highway: Tension brews in Cross River over alleged compensation of ‘wrong landlords’

There is rising fear of unrest in parts of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State over alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation for lands acquired for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community and a landlords’ body, led by Effiong Ekpo Ekpo, accused unnamed “strange elements” of infiltrating the compensation register, resulting in payments allegedly made to non-indigenous persons.

Ekpo alleged that the enumeration and compensation process for the Cross River axis of the project was compromised, with hundreds of legitimate landowners removed from the register and replaced with individuals with no ancestral ties to Okoyong land.

The group raised the alarm in a petition to security agencies, warning that the development had heightened tension in affected communities and could degenerate into public disobedience if not urgently addressed.

Compensation payments began over two months ago following the federal government’s acquisition of land for the highway across parts of Akamkpa and Odukpani LGAs.

In Odukpani, the project affects 13 Okoyong villages, including Obot Ekpo, Ekemkpon, Atan Okoyong, Kaifa, Nkita, Usung Nkita, Oboroko, Esuk Ekom I and II, and Ubambat/Inua Akpa Okoyong.

Ekpo further alleged that some political appointees and their associates benefitted from the exercise with the backing of compromised traditional and political structures.

He cited claims that a government appointee received N7 million at Kaifa village and another payment at Oboroko.

Reacting, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Engr. Yinka Onafuye, insisted the process was transparent, explaining that payments were made directly to verified beneficiaries through bank accounts, with assistance provided to those without accounts.

Onafuye disclosed that about N1 billion had so far been paid to between 700 and 1,000 beneficiaries in Akamkpa and Odukpani.

Meanwhile, the Okoyong group has called for an independent audit of the register and security intervention to avert a breakdown of law and order.