| Ephraim Inyang |
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 Until, the cases are withdrawn from the courts, we cannot do anything.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The commissioner, however, expressed hopes that the cases would be withdrawn to enable the government complete the project.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.
Source: punchng.com Apr 26, 2019 12:36 PM
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