Litigation by property owners delaying remodelling scheme – Commissioner

Commissioner for Works in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ephraim
Inyang-Eyen, on Friday said litigation by property owners has
impeded the progress of the ongoing Eket urban remodelling
project.

Contract for the project was awarded three years ago and it
includes the construction of a dual carriage-way from Atabong to
Grace Bill Road as well as the construction of a roundabout near
Liverpool Road.

The Commissioner, who spoke in his office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom
State, also said the attitude of the people of the area was slowing
down the projects.

Inyang-Eyen explained that though the state government was
willing to pay compensation to the property owners, they declined
to accept payment and instead took the matter to court.

He said the development made it impossible to pull down some
structures in line with specifications of the project.

He stated, “If Eket remodelling is delayed, it should be made
known that the people of Eket are not supporting us, they are the
problem. Until, the cases are withdrawn from the courts, we cannot
do anything.

“We have paid compensation and we are willing to pay but they
resorted to court litigations, so it is difficult for the projects
to go on.”

He stressed that even when the state government had paid
compensation for the relocation of Atabong Market, the community
rejected all appeals for it to be built in another area.

The commissioner, however, expressed hopes that the cases would
be withdrawn to enable the government complete the project.

He said the state government had taken steps towards the
realisation of the Ibom Deep Sea Port project, noting that before
now, no serious effort was made by previous administrations towards
the actualisation of the project.

He also confirmed that the Federal Government made a refund to
the state government on money spent on the construction of federal
roads and other projects in Akwa Ibom.

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