By Cletus Felix
The Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Council, Hon. Felix Akposi has hosted a sensitisation meeting for stakeholders from eight communities in the area, alongside representatives of the Cross River State Government and Grand Litora, the company partnering on the proposed railway project.
The Chairman, represented by the Secretary of Council, Mr. Christian Attah, who welcomed the delegation, on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of direct engagement with affected communities.
He noted that the local government which remains as the closet arm of governance will assist citizens in getting first hand information on the activities of the government.
He said “As a local government council, it is best we reach out to our people in the villages where the railway will be passing through to hear firsthand the plans of the government. Pay attention and advance your argument constructively. Where you don’t have clarity, ask questions. Big cities and countries of the world today started little by little through various developmental projects, which agrees with the adage, Rome was not built in a day.”
Speaking on the significance of the railway project, Mr. Obase Etaba, the Director Ministry of Lands noted the immense opportunities it presents, particularly in improving connectivity across the expansive state.
He reassured stakeholders that due compensation would be given to landowners affected by the project.
“As you know, we can’t embark on a project of this magnitude without meeting the owners of the land. These lands are not dormant; various activities may already be going on there. We are here to give you the assurances that those whose lands are affected will be compensated,” he said.
Dr. Edoki Isaac, the representative of Grand Litora, explained that the success of the project depends on the cooperation of the villages, as the partnership would generate opportunities for local security services, direct labour, and other benefits. He assured the traditional rulers and stakeholders that the railway’s right of way is not as extensive as a highway. “Very soon, surveyors will commence the actual ground survey and mapping of the railway route, following up on the aerial mapping conducted late last year,” he added.
The Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa and Chairman of the Akamkpa Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Majesty (Ophot) Agbor Ewa Ebani, called for transparency in dealings with the communities. He advised that stakeholders should be fully briefed before operations commence to prevent disputes. “As you go back home, relate this with your subjects. Let them know what is coming, as this awareness will calm the nerves of the people and prevent breakdowns of law and order,” he urged.
Representatives from the eight affected communitiesโAwi, Ayeabam, Mbarakom, Inwang Ukwok, Okom-Ita, Uyanga Model Town, Iwuru, and Ojorโunanimously accepted the project. However, they requested that the railway design include stations within their communities to maximise the project’s benefits. They emphasised that if this was not originally considered, it should be factored into the final plans.
The proposed railway project is set to commence at Adiabo in Odukpani Local Government Area and terminate in Obudu LGA in the northern senatorial district, aiming to ease the transportation of goods, passengers, and other courier services across the state.
