Hope For Compensation Dims On Owners Of Illegal Structures On Roads To Be Constructed In A' Ibom
Illegal structures erected along highways earmarked for construction in Akwa Ibom State are to be demolished without any form of compensation.
This decision is predicated on the heels of the upsurge of new
buildings at various stages of construction along the roads to be
constructed by the present administration.
Governor Udom Emmanuel announced the government's position at his
hometown Onna Local Government Area, where he attended the funeral
service of the father of his Chief Press Secretary Late Elder Simeon
Timothy Udoh.
Governor Emmanuel who frowned at the development emphasized that any
activity that would destabilise his administration's efforts in
delivering democratic dividends to the people would be resisted. "I
have noticed some new structures being developed particularly Eket
Etinan, Ikot Nkang-Awa and other roads . I want to sound it to
everyone that there will be no compensation for those buildings when
they're demolished. Structures erected from April this year that
doesn't conform with building regulations will be brought down. Let
people learn to live with integrity and desist from cheating
Government."
The Governor therefore directed Chairmen of affected Area Councils to
liaise with Town Planning Authorities and ensure that such buildings
are marked for demolition.
The State Chief Executive also shaded light on the Medium, Small And
Micro Enterprise Scheme which he initiated to assist entrepreneurs in
their businesses. He said that beneficiaries of the loan are
mandated to refund the Principal of the total sum collected while
government will pay back the Interest . He regretted that his office
has been inundated with reports of sharp practices perpetuated by
Bank officials in the course of disbursing the loan and used the
occasion to caution beneficiaries against offering gratifications in
order to access the loan. The Governor maintained that he is taking
steps to correct the trend.
While commiserating Late Simeon Udoh's family, Governor Emmanuel
acknowledged that there is no better time for losing a loved one. He
described the deceased who died at the age of eighty five as a strong
pillar of Quo Iboe Church having devoted greater part of his life to
the services of God and urged the family to uphold the strong moral
principles which he imparted on them during his sojourn on earth.
Earlier at the funeral service of late Lady Bassey Ukpong, mother of
the State Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong at Okon Eket, the
governor spoke of the deceased as a great matriarch, Philanthropist
and a Community Leader. He said her exit has created a vacuum and that
the family has lost a woman whose rich and wise counsel would have
continued to serve as fountain of knowledge and inspiration for
younger generation. Again, he urged the family to sustain the virtue
of selfless service which she bequeathed to them and prayed for the
repose of her soul.