C' River Begins Comprehensive Audit, Probe of Encroachment, Illegal Occupants of Gov't Properties
Judex OKORO
The Government of Cross River has begun comprehensive audit and probe into encroachment and illegal occupiers of its properties in the Southern senatorial district of the state.
Recall that Governor Bassey Otu had directed the department of Asset Management and Recovery (DAMR) headed by the Special Adviser, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, to identify and address any encroachments into these properties, with the intent to recover any land or property that have been unlawfully occupied or expropriated.
In a press statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, Otu further directed the Department of Asset Management and Recovery (DAMR) to conduct a comprehensive audit of all government lands and assets.
The audit will cover all state-owned schools, hospitals, lands,agro estates, other farms and assets, focusing on identifying unauthorized use and/or encroachment, enjoining the citizens to fully co-operate with the Department of Assets Management and Recovery.
Without dilly-dallying, the Special Adviser Asset Management and Recovery (DAMR), Gilbert Agbor, Esq, and his team went to works on Friday to commence the comprehensive auditing and probe into occupiers of government properties by visiting Government Colledge , Ikot Ansa, located at the premises of former Teachers Training College.
At the premises, Agbor raised the alarm over what he described as "massive scale" of encroachment into the college land with impunity.
He also condemned the squatters that have taken over the college staff quarters and vowed to recover same from the illegal occupants.
According to him, "this is impunity in the highest order. What I am seeing here today is unacceptable.
"This is not just a question of encroachment. The land has been outrightly sold without the knowledge of the owner, which in this case is the government.
"The person responsible for this illegality even went as far as selling the principal quarters along with other part of the land he illegally bought from whoever sold it to him.
"Similarly, the staff quarters that would have been ideal for corp members' usage were all being illegally occupied.
"I have been given the mandate to recover all the properties belonging to the government that have been fraudulently acquired.
"Be rest assured that this land that we have already put a seal of stop work on will be recovered while the illegal occupants of the quarters will be evicted."
The asset recovery boss, further stated that everything legally will be done to return the land back to the school.
Agbor said that the asset recovery team, who also visited other government properties in the municipality, said this would be replicated across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Earlier, Principal of the Government College, Chief Ofem Ubana, said: "On my arrival here at the College since 2023, I met the on-going construction and don't know anything about it.
"All I did was to write the authority to intimate them of this observations. I am just a principal here and not mandated to sell land," he explained.
THE BEAGLE NEWS, however, gathered that the encroachment and illegal acquisition of part of former TTC premises was perpetrated by some top government officials during the last administration.
Investigations have revealed that some top Ikot Ansa traditional rulers allegedly sold out some portions of the secondary school land to former government top functionaries for the purpose of building a mini-estate for rent.
An Indigene of Ikto Ansa, who spoke off record, said: "I can tell you that this encroachment was encouraged by our traditional rulers who came out and said the land belongs to them. They sold the portion in dispute to some former top government aides and their friends.
"We would be glad if the government can recover the land because it is school property. How can people be so mean to the extent of selling even the principal quarters and lease out coppers' quarters. It is unheard of."
Mr Okon who spoke to our team said" I Schooled in the then TTC. The whole of that land belongs to Government. My children school there now. I feel sad. This crime is not a community crime. It is some greedy traditional leaders and their friends in Government that did this. I thank Governor Otu for this initiative."
