By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Controversy over the non payment of compensation to property owners on the Calabar/Itu federal highway has stalled work on the project with less than 30% of work done.
This is even as traditional rulers from Akwa Ibom have called on the Federal Government to urgently pay compensation to property owners on the Calabar Odukpani highway inorder to avoid further delay on the project.
The Royal fathers from Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikot Ekpene and Ikono Local Councils told newsmen in Uyo yesterday that shifting the payment of compensation to states was not in the best interest of the people.
Paramount Ruler of Itu, Edidem Edet Akpaninyan who spoke on their behalf when they paid an advocacy visit to Mr Franklin Isong, State Director of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network,CHRAN, maintained that it was unlawful not to compensate property owners on a government project.
Akpaninyan expressed sadness that work on the road has stalled because of non payment of compensation even as delay in the project has increased the number accidents with it’s attendant casualties on the road.
“We commend the Federal Government for reawarding the road and our son Senator Ita Enang for facilitating the reaward of the contract but the road is now a death trap because it’s present condition has caused several accidents. It seems the FG has abandoned the road.abandoned by FG.
“So what we are saying is that controversy over payment of compensation is stalling work on the project. We want the FG to pay the compensation and not the state so that the road project will progress because that road is of great economic importance to us.
“It is regrettable that there was no provision for compensation on the Calabar Itu highway. Other roads in other parts of the country also attracted compensation. Our own should not be different.
“We also want our right to be given to us to nominate Community Liason Officers. It is unlawful for any other person to do so for us.” He stated.
The Royal Father stated that it would be difficult to reach a compromise for the people not to be paid because it is the law while the property owners have expressed unwillingness to forgo the compensation.
He commended Isong on his new appointment and expressed their willingness towards partnering him for the development of Communities in their area.
Isong in a response pledged his committment towards assisting them in developing their communities and commended them for their peaceful disposition towards resolving the challenges confronting the road project.
The state director who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing several Akwa Ibom indegenes into positions of authority however called on the FG to expedite action on the road inorder to fast track the development of the area.
