A group of Cross Riverians operating under the auspices of Cross River State Progressives Forum (CRISPROF) has appealled to the Cross River State Government not to place a caveat on the parcel of land that state government donated to Navy authority over 40 years ago, but instead allow the navy continue with the ongoing hotel and leisure resort project which has reached about 50% completion.
Addressing journalists shortly after a street match led by over 500 youths, who claimed that they were concern citizens of the state, the group’s spokesperson, Barr. Eyo Ekpo Nsa, said the group decided to embark on a peaceful street match so as to let the plead with the state government to have a rethink over the revocation of the parcel of land occupied by the Navy.
The group called on the Attorney General of Cross River State, to refer the state government to section 49 of the land use Act which states that if a federal government agency has occupied a land before the coming into force of land Use Act of 1978, no state government has the power to revoke the right occupancy.
“This is something that other states are struggling to have and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the hotel project adds value to our tourism industry.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Information, Comrade Asu Okang stated that Gov. Ben Ayade meant well for the Navy adding that state government has no intention to take over the parcel of land in contention.
He added that the parcel of land in contention used to be an annex of Pregriono, an arm of Government’s House) which it gave to the navy and wondered why it wasn’t the Navy personal who are leading the protest but youths who feel it has become their right to protest.
“As a responsible Government, we have no intention to cause pain to the Navy,” He said.
