Gov. Otu Orders Recovery of Encroached UNICROSS Land
By Ebi COLLINS
Governor Bassey Otu has ordered the immediate recovery of all encroached portions of land belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), warning illegal occupants to vacate the property without delay.
The directive followed growing concerns and complaints by the management of the institution over the alarming rate of encroachment on the university’s land.
Acting on the Governor’s directive, the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, led security officials from the Office of the State Security Adviser on an inspection of the affected areas.
Speaking during the exercise, Agbor said the state government would no longer tolerate the illegal occupation of public property, stressing that every portion of the university land illegally acquired would be recovered.
“The instruction of His Excellency is very clear; every inch of land that has been encroached upon must be recovered. There will be no compromise,” he declared.
He described the level of encroachment on the university property as “massive and embarrassing,” noting that urgent intervention became necessary following reports that illegal developers had continued construction activities despite earlier warnings.
Agbor disclosed that Governor Otu had also directed the immediate closure of all supply routes for building materials into the affected areas to halt further illegal development on the land.
“This directive must be taken seriously. Government will not stand by and watch public property meant for educational development being taken over illegally,” he warned.
The Asset Management and Recovery Adviser further issued a stern quit notice to all illegal occupants, stressing that enforcement operations would continue until the university land is fully reclaimed.
He added that the government would adopt broader measures to prevent future encroachment and protect public assets across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, commended Governor Bassey Otu for what he described as a swift response to the worrisome situation.
“I commend Governor Bassey Otu for his swift response to the worrisome situation. At this point, decisive measures must be taken to reclaim the land for the betterment of the institution and future generations of students,” he said.
Ojikpong lamented that the increasing encroachment had become a major threat to the university’s expansion plans and the implementation of key academic programmes.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration and Council Affairs of the university, Mr. Edem Effiong Ekanem, revealed that recent surveys showed that nearly 60 percent of the university’s land had already been encroached upon.
He explained that earlier assessments placed the figure between 50 and 52 percent, but noted that the situation had worsened significantly over time.
Ekanem maintained that the land was legally acquired and gazetted by the state government between 1972 and 1974, stressing that ownership of the property was not in dispute despite the removal of beacon markings by suspected encroachers.
