Fed Highway:C'River Gov't To Compensate Only Owners Of Ancestral structures
By Victor UDU
Desperate property developers who hurriedly erected illegal structures and fake tombstones along Ikot -Nyong - Itu bridge axis of Calabar-Itu Federal Highway hoping to cash out from financial compensation from government are in for a shocker.
This followed the resolution by Cross River state government to only compensate those with approved building plan and verifiable tombstones supported by vital approvals in line with stipulated guidelines.
The step was part of decisions adopted at the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting held in Calabar.
According to a released signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nsa Gill "compensation would only be paid to those who own ancestral structures along the route in question.
The release pointed to the issue of compensation to landlords and property owners of the said road which has constituted a major setback and hindrance to the progress of work.
Ankpo Pius Cross River Works Commissioner explained in his memo to the fourth Executive Council meeting that even those landlords and communities with genuine requests would be paid only a fraction as their balances would be considered their own contributions to the project.
The Commissioner who commended the quality of Work so far executed noted that the ongoing construction work handled with utmost compliance to professionalism and quality assurance will be completed on schedule.
The Council which was presided over by the state governor, Bassey Otu also approved the establishment of 2000 persons in catfish farming behind homes and forwarded a memo from the the ministry of livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development to the state economic management team for evaluation to ensure sustainability of the programme.
Also, approved for construction are some key roads in the three senatorial districts viz, Yahe-Ebo-Wanokom-Wanikade -Wanihem -Benue Border road, Akreha bridge and the Yache-Alifokpa road in the North and Adiabo-Ikoneto bridge in the South initiated in the 90s by the Military but abandoned by successive administrations.
