Anxiety is rising in parts of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State over claims of sharp practices in the payment of compensation for lands acquired for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
As reported by Daily Post, the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community, alongside a landlords’ group led by Mr. Effiong Ekpo Ekpo, has accused unidentified outsiders of hijacking the compensation process, alleging that payments were made to persons who are not indigenous landowners.
Ekpo alleged that the enumeration and compensation exercise for the Cross River corridor was riddled with irregularities, claiming that scores of genuine landowners were excluded from the register and replaced with individuals with no ancestral claims to Okoyong land.
The group raised the alarm in a petition addressed to security agencies, warning that the situation had fuelled tension across the affected communities and could spark civil unrest if urgent steps were not taken.
Compensation payments reportedly commenced more than two months ago after the Federal Government acquired land for the coastal highway in parts of Akamkpa and Odukpani local government areas.
In Odukpani alone, the project cuts across 13 Okoyong villages, including Obot Ekpo, Ekemkpon, Atan Okoyong, Kaifa, Nkita, Usung Nkita, Oboroko, Esuk Ekom I and II, as well as Ubambat/Inua Akpa Okoyong.
Ekpo further alleged that some political appointees and their associates benefitted from the exercise, allegedly aided by compromised traditional and political interests.
He cited claims that a government appointee received N7 million in Kaifa village and another payment in Oboroko.
Responding to the allegations, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Engr. Yinka Onafuye, dismissed claims of foul play, insisting that the process was transparent and credible.
He explained that payments were made directly to verified beneficiaries through their bank accounts, adding that support was provided for those who initially did not have accounts.
Onafuye disclosed that about N1 billion had so far been disbursed to between 700 and 1,000 beneficiaries across Akamkpa and Odukpani.
Meanwhile, the Okoyong group has renewed its call for an independent audit of the compensation register and swift security intervention to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.