The Cross River State Government has commenced moves to resolve longstanding land ownership and compensation claims along the Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar, with the Commissioner for Lands, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, calling for a holistic approach to the issues.
Ekpang made the call when a delegation representing Ikpai Ohom Qua community paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Lands and presented documents and petitions concerning ownership, acquisition and subsequent allocation of portions of land along the bypass axis.
The Commissioner acknowledged the complexity of the issues, noting that the development of the bypass corridor had brought multiple interests and claims that could not be effectively addressed in isolation.
He proposed a comprehensive stakeholders’ engagement involving all relevant communities, families, traditional leaders and other parties with interests in the affected areas.
According to Ekpang, the engagement would provide an opportunity for all parties to present their documents, clarify boundaries and establish the facts surrounding the various claims.
“The best approach is to bring all the stakeholders together so that everyone can present their documents, clarify the boundaries and establish the facts,” he said.
He added that the Ministry would also examine the relevant land components and boundaries, including those between Ikpai Ohom Qua and neighbouring communities, to properly establish the extent of the various interests.
Ekpang disclosed that the Ministry would study the documents submitted by the community and prepare a memorandum for presentation to Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for consideration and appropriate action.
He said the government’s objective was to provide a fair and sustainable pathway for resolving the longstanding issues while ensuring that legitimate interests were properly addressed within the applicable legal and administrative framework.
The Commissioner assured the delegation that the Ministry would continue engaging affected parties as part of efforts to achieve a lasting resolution to the ownership and compensation claims along the bypass.
Earlier, the Ikpai Ohom Qua Council Secretary, Ntufam Michael Etim, traced the dispute to the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force base in Calabar, alleging that the land was acquired without adequate compensation to the original landowners.
Etim said correspondences and government documents over the years had addressed issues of compensation and ownership, but subsequent developments allegedly resulted in portions of the land being allocated to individuals and families outside the original ownership.
He also raised concerns over alleged encroachment on dry and swamp portions, particularly along the bypass, and appealed to the Ministry to examine the relevant survey, charting and land documents.
According to him, the community is seeking appropriate compensation for legitimately acquired land and the restoration of portions it believes belong to it but were allegedly encroached upon or subsequently allocated to others.
By Affiong Ndem
