Section of Lagos-Calabar Highway
By MIKE ABANG, Calabar
Tension is brewing in Okoyong community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, following allegations that non-indigenous persons have been inserted into the compensation list for the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.
The President of the Association of Concerned Indigenes of Okoyong Community, Ambassador Eyo Ekpo, raised the alarm in a petition addressed to Governor Bassey Otu, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the State Commissioner of Police, the Minister of Works, and other relevant authorities.
In the petition, written on behalf of the association, Ekpo called for urgent intervention, warning that the situation, if left unchecked, could threaten peace and security in the area.
“I seek your immediate intervention to forestall a potential breakdown of law and order, as current developments pose serious threats to peace, security, and the rights of indigenous landowners,” the petition stated.
According to the association, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project affects thirteen Okoyong villages: Obot Ekpo, Ekemkpon, Atan Akani Obio, Atan Okoyong, Ekong Atan Oku, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Nkita, Usung Nkita, Oboroko, Esuk Ekom I, Esuk Ekom II, and Ubambat/Inua Akpa Okoyong.
The highway project, being executed by Hi-Tech Construction Company under federal supervision, led to the acquisition of farmlands, economic trees, and ancestral lands belonging to indigenous families. Compensation was meant to cushion the impact of these losses.
However, the association alleged that the enumeration and compensation process was severely compromised.
It claimed that hundreds of genuine landowners, whose families have occupied the land for generations, were removed from the compensation register and replaced with individuals who have no ancestral ties to Okoyong land.
Some of those allegedly benefiting were described as political appointees and associates, aided by compromised traditional and political actors.
The petition cited the case of Mr. Emmanuel Essien, described as a government appointee, who allegedly received ₦7 million as compensation at Kaifa village and was also paid at Oboroko, although the exact amount there could not be confirmed.
The association further accused some political appointees of intimidation and abuse of power. It alleged that Mr. Edet Okon Ekpo, popularly known as CY, threatened Mrs. Blessed Mother Blessing Effiong Ekpo when she visited the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat to collect her compensation.
According to the petition, he reportedly told her:
> “I will beat you up, nothing will happen; your husband cannot do anything, if he tries me, I can hide him.”
The threat was allegedly made in the presence of local government officials, raising concerns over the safety of community members and the misuse of authority.
Serious allegations were also leveled against HRH Obon Ita Okon, Clan Head-Elect of Akamkpa Clan. He was accused of collaborating with the Community Liaison Officer to remove the names of original landowners in Esuk Ekom I and II and replacing them with the names of his children and driver.
The association claimed that although he is not originally from Esuk Ekom, multiple beneficiaries linked to him were reportedly captured and paid in that axis, while rightful landowners were excluded.
Hi-Tech Construction Company was also accused of opening a new access road outside the approved 100-metre corridor to extract sand from the Esuk Ekom village river without the consent of the Eyo Ekpo family, said to be the legitimate landowners.
The petition further alleged that some traditional rulers and political appointees have enabled these irregularities, taking advantage of rural farmers while claiming that “the land belongs to the state,” a position the community says contradicts established land ownership norms.
The association warned that the continued exclusion of rightful landowners has fueled anger and frustration in the community.
While stressing that the people are seeking justice rather than confrontation, the group cautioned that failure to urgently address the grievances could push the situation toward serious conflict, with grave implications for peace and security in Odukpani.
