Government News Source|22 July 2019
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a resolution inviting the Land Acquisition Committee recently set up by the State Government, to appear before it to offer public explanation on the proposed acquisition of 9000 hectares of land across the three senatorial districts of the States.
The House which also directed the Committee to suspend any further action on the matter, took these resolutions during plenary, following the presentation of a matter of urgent public importance by Member representing Boki I, State Constituency, Rt. Hon Itam Abang.
Abang had informed Members that her constituents drew her attention to a proposed acquisition of several hectares of land in her Constituency allegedly for agricultural purposes.
She observed that with the current security challenges in the country, there was need for the Assembly to investigate the matter with a view to allaying the fears of Cross Riverians.
Members in separate contributions observed that the 9th Assembly was not against the State Government's efforts in improving agriculture but that Members should be duly informed of issues bordering on acquisition of land in their Constituencies.
Members also observed that considering the times, there was need for the Cross Riverians to be adequately sensitized to forestall unnecessary speculations and possible conflicts by affected communities.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Eteng Jonah Williams, directed that Land Acquisition Committee in the three Senatorial Districts be invited to appear before the House on July 23, 2019.
