Mfun Border Bridge along Nigeria - Cameroon Border in Cross River State
FG will not pay compensation for shrines destroyed along Calabar-Itu Road, says Minister
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Minister for Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has stated that the President Buhari administration will not pay compensation for shrines erected along the Calabar-Itu Road.
Mfun Border Bridge along Nigeria – Cameroon Border in Cross River State
The Minister made this known at Ikom while inspecting some projects being executed by the federal government in Cross River State.
The Minister maintained that investments is a trade off and communities that want investments should cooperate with the federal government as only reasonable compensations will be paid.
Mfun Border Bridge along Nigeria – Cameroon Border in Cross River State
“The president has said investments is a trade off and those who want infrastructure must be ready to offer some land.
“We are not taking your land away; we just want a right of way to pass, so we want to plead with the communities to slow us pass.
“We will pay reasonable compensations for crops but certainly not shrines that you build on the side of the road to claim money.
“The president has said no, that is not our responsibility, so we expect to see more cooperation to ensure the completion of this road”, he said.
The Works minister who inspected Mfun Border Bridge as well as the Ikom Bridge said President Buhari is providing infrastructure which is consistent with the economic recovery plan.
He said the Mfun Border Bridge will expand trade between Nigeria and Cameroon while the Ikom Bridge will boost trade between the North and south.
He said the old bridges will be rehabilitated and properly maintained saying the ministry will take charge of this.
Also speaking, Engr. Adeoye Emmanuel, the Director Highway Bridge and Design Federal Ministry of Works and Housing said the projects are over 80% completed.
He said the head room for the Ikom Bridge is 9 metres to allow for navigation of ships, the parapet is concrete and the length of the bridge is 360 metres.
On his part, Engr. Nsentip Bassey, the federal controller of works in the state said other federal projects are ongoing in the state.
He disclosed that the first phase of the 128km Calabar-Oban road which is about 60km has already been awarded and construction work has begun.
