By Chioma Onuegbu

Uyo—A human rights group, Community Policing Partners for Justice, Security and Democratic Reforms, COMPPART, has petitioned Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State over alleged non payment of compensation for land belonging to Ekim Itam, Ikot Ukap and Obong Itam communities in Itu Local Government Area acquired by the state government for the construction of armoured car Personnel Carrier plant.

Governor Udom Emmanuel

COMPPART in a petition by its Executive Director, Mr. Saviour Akpan, urged Governor Emmanuel to set up a committee independent of ministries of Lands and Finance to look into the matter without delay.

It also urged the governor to verify and publish the names of the land owners the state government representatives claimed they have paid compensation to in respect of the 20 hectares of land.

The petition reads in part: “It is on record and in the public domain that on July 13, 2015, you have already carried out a ground breaking ceremony in respect to this very project which is going to be managed by an Israeli company, Mimshac Merkavin transportation technologies.”

“As we were told, a team from ministries of Land and Finance approached the communities and informed them that the state wants to acquire for this project 20 hectares of land of which legally the owners were by law entitled to be adequately compensated.”

“After notifying the people, the team came back and in connivance with some political bigwigs, who believe in making gains outside of where such does not exist, surveyed and put beacon stones on only five hectares of land and on which compensation was paid.

“Returning after the ground breaking ceremony, they came and claimed an additional 15 hectares of land and alleged that it was what was acquired and that compensation due to the people has already been paid.”