Cross River Asset Recovery Team Beams Searchlight on Encroached Lands in Ogoja
By Ebi COLLINS
The Cross River State Government’s Asset Recovery Team has turned its focus to Ogoja, beaming a strategic searchlight on numerous parcels of public land allegedly encroached upon by private individuals and interest groups.
The operation, which marks a significant phase in the state government’s ongoing asset reclamation drive, was led by Barrister Gilbert Agbor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery. He was accompanied by Mr. Williams Atianlikong Akpanke, Coordinator of the Asset Recovery Team for the Northern Senatorial District, and Mr. Clement Onu Akoli, Zonal Lands Officer for Ogoja, who conducted the team through the affected government properties.
The visit to Ogoja became necessary following a surge in petitions from concerned citizens, alerting the state government to increasing cases of unlawful occupation and encroachment on government lands.
The team toured several key locations across Ogoja, including Crown Land in GRA, the Nursery Palm Estate, the former Doctors’ Quarters, Crown Land under the Ministry of Works, ADP Ogoja, the DAM land under the Ministry of Agriculture, and the premises of the Ministry of Education, Ogoja Zone.
The Asset Recovery team at former Doctors Quarters, behind Ogoja LGA Headquarters (photo).
Shocked by the scale of unauthorized development, Barr. Agbor described the situation as “massive encroachment and community interference,” and assured that the government would deploy all legal means to reclaim the affected assets.
“These lands were acquired by government for the public good. It is deeply concerning to see them overtaken by private interests. The state will not allow enemies of progress to seize what belongs to the people. We are taking swift, lawful action to restore government ownership,” he declared.
At the Ministry of Education premises in Ogoja Zone, the team ordered the immediate removal of two concrete pillars illegally erected by land grabbers. Barr. Agbor issued the directive on the spot, reinforcing the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on the illegal occupation of public land.
Photo of Crown Land, Ministry of Works, Ogoja
Following the tour, the Asset Management and Recovery Advser directed that a comprehensive list of all government lands in the area be compiled and forwarded to the Department of Assets Management and Recovery through the appropriate official channel. This, he said, would support more coordinated and efficient government action moving forward.
Mrs. Felicia Eweh, the Coordinating Supervisory Director for Education, Ogoja Zone, welcomed the intervention and thanked the State Government for showing interest over the escalating land disputes in the area. “The situation is disturbing and must be addressed urgently. We count on the government’s sustained presence to curb further encroachment,” she said.
The Ogoja inspection is part of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s broader reform agenda, anchored on the “People First” philosophy, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of state assets for the collective benefit of all Cross Riverians — not personal or selfish interests.
