A/Ibom works commissioner assures communities on prompt payment of compensation

Akwa Ibom commissioner for works, Ephraim Inyang, has assured communities that the state government would pay compensation for their property affected by the ongoing construction of roads in various parts of the state.

The payment of compensation has generated mixed reactions in the state, as the state government has adopted a new approach in the exercise in its bid to ensure transparency and accountability.

Speaking while inspecting the Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Usop, which links Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi local government areas, Inyang assured the communities that payment would be done without any delay to ensure that the road project was completed in time.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by the permanent secretary, Ifreke Ekpa and the director of civil engineering in the ministry, praised the communities for their peaceful disposition “despite the non-payment of compensation,” which had ensured that the work was not disrupted by youths in the area.

He also told the affected communities that work on the road would be carried out based on specifications with drainages on both sides of the road.

“The payment of compensation will be paid within two weeks, I can assure you,’’ he said.

In an interview, Ben Udobia, managing director of Bernet Technical Services, the firm handling the construction of the road, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work done so far on the 5km road and assured that work would be completed on schedule.

Udobia, who disclosed that all the equipment needed for the construction of the 30-metre wide bridge on the road had been received, allayed the fears of the community over the quality of the project and thanked the state government for awarding the contract to his firm.