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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community in Cross River State have raised alarm over fraudulent practices on payment of compensation to host communities affected by Section 3A of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Ambassador Effiong Ekpo, President of the Association/Vice Chairman, Eyo Ekpo Family disclosed this in a petition against the process to security agencies in the state.
In his petition, Ambassador Ekpo alleged that “The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, has resulted in the acquisition of farmlands, economic trees, and ancestral lands belonging to indigenous families in Okoyong Community.
“Compensation was intended to mitigate these losses. However, the enumeration and compensation process has been grossly compromised.
“Hundreds of legitimate indigenous landowners, whose families have occupied these lands for generations, have been removed from the compensation register and replaced with non-indigenous individuals with no ancestral ties to Okoyong land.
“Some of these individuals are political appointees and associates allegedly aided by compromised traditional and political structures”, he said.
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He also alleged that there have been alarming incidents of intimidation directed at indigenous landowners as well as manipulation of beneficiary lists in Esuk Ekom I & II.
In addition, he said the Construction Company, Hitech has opened a new access road outside the approved 100-metre corridor to extract sand from the Esuk Ekom village river without the consent of the Eyo Ekpo Family, the rightful landowners.
He stressed that the continued marginalization of rightful landowners has created deep frustration and tension within the community saying the communities seek justice.
He said the host communities demand an independent audit of the compensation register, removal of all non-indigenous beneficiaries and restoration of original landowners, among others.
Late last year, the federal government announced that it has commenced compensation payment to communities affected by the project in Cross River.
Engr. Yinka Onafuye, the Federal Controller of Works said between 700 to 1000 land owners were captured for payment.
