Govt Moves to Resolve Bypass Land Disputes
The Cross River State Government has commenced efforts to resolve longstanding land ownership and compensation disputes along the Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar.
The Commissioner for Lands, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, said the government would adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the various claims arising from land acquisition, ownership and subsequent allocations along the bypass corridor.
Ekpang spoke when a delegation from Ikpai Ohom Qua community visited the Ministry of Lands and submitted documents and petitions relating to the ownership, acquisition and allocation of portions of land in the area.
He acknowledged the complexity of the disputes, noting that the development of the bypass had generated multiple interests and claims that could not be effectively resolved in isolation.
The commissioner therefore proposed a broad stakeholders’ engagement involving affected communities, families, traditional leaders and other parties with interests in the disputed areas.
He said the meeting would enable all parties to present relevant documents, clarify boundaries and establish the facts surrounding the various claims.
“The best approach is to bring all the stakeholders together so that everyone can present their documents, clarify the boundaries and establish the facts,” he said.
Ekpang said the ministry would examine the relevant land components and boundaries, including those between Ikpai Ohom Qua and neighbouring communities, to establish the extent of the various interests.
He disclosed that the documents submitted by the community would be studied and a memorandum prepared for presentation to Governor Bassey Edet Otu for consideration and appropriate action.
According to him, the government’s objective is to provide a fair and sustainable solution to the longstanding disputes while ensuring that legitimate interests are protected within the applicable legal and administrative framework.
The commissioner assured the delegation that the ministry would continue consultations with affected parties towards achieving a lasting resolution to the ownership and compensation claims.
Earlier, the Ikpai Ohom Qua Council Secretary, Ntufam Michael Etim, traced the dispute to the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base in Calabar.
Etim alleged that the land was acquired without adequate compensation to the original landowners, adding that government correspondences and official documents over the years had addressed aspects of the compensation and ownership issues.
He, however, claimed that subsequent developments led to portions of the land being allocated to individuals and families outside the original ownership.
Etim also raised concerns about alleged encroachment on dry and swamp portions of the community’s land, particularly along the bypass, and urged the ministry to examine relevant survey, charting and other land documents.
He said the community was seeking appropriate compensation for legitimately acquired land, as well as the restoration of portions it believes belong to it but were allegedly encroached upon or allocated to other persons.
