​Hope For Compensation Dims On Owners Of Illegal Structures On Roads To Be Constructed In A' Ibom

By Akwa Ibom State Divine Mandate

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.