‘Akwa Ibom Won’t Compensate Illegal Structures Owners’

From Mfon Ekefre, Uyo

Some indigenes of Akwa Ibom State who are in the habit of rushing to erect illegal structures, particularly tombstones, along roads approved for construction so as to collect compensation from government would be disappointed as the current administration has described their action as a waste of effort from which they would not gain anything.
Governor Udom Emmanuel, who stated this, ordered such owners of illegal structures to dismantle them forthwith.
The governor, who spoke at the flag-off of the construction of the Ikot Usop-Ikot Ekpuk- Ikot Edeghe Road at Mkpat Enin Local Government area said his administration has ruled out the payment of compensation to owners of illegal buildings and tombstones erected along the numerous rural and urban roads approved for construction in some parts of the state.
He condemned the building of over 500 unauthorised structures and artificial tombstones by individuals in certain communities to truncate the on-going construction of road networks across the state.
The governor said his administration has taken the decision not to enter into any negotiation with anybody or group on the payment of compensation to owners of unauthorised structures erected overnight or facilities and tombstones in any part of the state were construction were on-going.
In view of this, contractors have been mandated to pull own such structures in the process of construction.
The governor further stated that government would not entertain complaints from owners of unauthorised structures to serve as a deterrent to those whose stock in trade was to ruin the coffers of the state government through illegal compensation claims.
Emmanuel said it remained illegal to erect any permanent or illegal structures, nine meters near the road and advised the people to make effective use of the roads in rural communities to evacuate products and associated natural products to the urban centres as part of contributions to improve the economic situation and expand the scope of entrepreneurship.
He described the various roads built in the state as remarkable bold steps to enhance development and pave way for industrialisation, assuring that the available resources of the state would be prudently utilised outside the payment of unnecessary compensations.