In line with determination of Gov. Udom Emmanuel to ensure his administration pays to the least amount compensation to host communities whose lands have been acquired for government development projects, some communities in Eastern Obolo were yesterday presented with chques of various sums as compensation.
During the checks presentation ceremony in Uyo Gov. Udom Emmanuel represented by Commissioner for lands and water resources, Captain Iniobong Ekong, assured that his government will not owe any community a dime.
He gave other benefitting communities rocked by leadership tussles two options before their money could be released to them. First, they should withdraw the case from court and jointly appoint who should collect the money on their behalf. Secondly, they should wait until the case is disposed of by the court of law to know the authentic village head and who the money should be channeled through.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the largesse for development purposes and not to see it as a seed of discord for disunity. In spirit of togetherness, a whooping sum of N100m was set aside for other communities whose lands have not been affected by the siting of the project.
Corroborating the advice of the Governor, the paramount ruler, HRM Harry Etetor promised to set up a committee comprising security apparatus of the village to monitor how the money would be shared, adding that anyone found not to share as earlier agreed would be severely dealt with.
Also, there should be no fighting with contractors and multinationals. Any of them not doing well should be reported to me.
Goodwill messages were presented by Prof Gamaliel Harry and Dr. Mbong, both chairman and vice chairman of the committee in charge of the implementation of the compensation.
