Peace returns to Cross River community after World Bank project impasse

Peace has finally returned to Ikot Nkebre community in Cross River State, following disagreement over N3b World Bank erosion project

Last week, a section of the community living in the lower part of Ikot Nkebre had raised an alarm over the quality of work and their inability to access the project design.

They insisted that based on the current work done, if not redesigned, erosion would sack over 50 houses. However, those living in the upper area commended the contractor, Akpaven Integrated Services Limited “for a job well done.”

Following the disagreement among the community members, the Cross River State Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), last weekend, intervened via a meeting with aggrieved community members and resolved to liaise with relevant approving authorities to secure approval for the road and drainage.

The resolution of the meeting, signed by Henry Onwe, Francis Agaba for NEWMAP, George Brown for Akpaven, J J Egwu, Mrs Nara Obi, Godwin Inyang and six others for the lower Ikot Nkebre aggrieved persons, also resolved that participants “should follow established channel to air their grievances, to seek clarification on the design, and on receipt of approval for the execution the work is expected to be consoled within two weeks”

The Village Head of Ikot Nkebre, Chief Tony Nkebre, the Chairman of Nkebre Community Development Association, Etubom Eyo Edet Eyo and Secretary, Elder Emmanuel Ewa thanked the contractor for their assistance in “building a modern civic centre for the community….”