Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has said his government will no longer wait for the Federal Government to pay compensations to landowners whose ancestral structures were affected by the ongoing reconstruction of the Calabar-Uyo federal highway.
The governor said he will effect payments so that work on the deplorable highway will no longer be delayed.
In a statement after the 4th State Executive Council meeting, he said, “In our bid to ensure the construction work on the Calabar-Itu highway, particularly the Odukpani axis is not stalled, we have undertaken to pay compensation to landowners affected by the road expansion.
“Council has approved the disbursement of Four Hundred Million Naira (N 400,000,000.00) for that purpose.
“However, the onus rests on the Federal Government to compensate dislocated persons and affected structures.”
Otu, however, maintained that only those whose properties were identified in the original demolition would be compensated.
Similarly, he assured communities within the Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport of its commitment to resolving issues concerning compensation for lands acquired from them for the airport.
Commissioner for Aviation, Capt. Eno Utum Inah rtd, said plans are almost concluded to settle land owners around the project area.
“I do not want to say compensation for the acquisition of the land for the project was not paid. I think some people felt they were more entitled than others, while some others felt excluded. Notwithstanding, the Ministry of Aviation is taking inventory of those with such complaints and also liaising with relevant agencies to sort things out. I assure you, in no distant time the issue will be resolved amicably as a solution will be obtained,” he said.