By Ese Oghenegueke
In a move to strengthen transparency and due process in land administration, Cross River State Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, has approved the appointment of Surveyor Efiom Edem Ekpenyong as the new Secretary of the State Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC).
The appointment takes immediate effect following the retirement of the former Secretary, Mr. Obase Ekaba.
Governor Otu has also issued strict directives to curb irregularities in land dealings. No backdated Letters of Offer or Allocation will be processed, and no new allocations will proceed without verifiable proof of statutory payments, except in cases where waivers are explicitly granted by the Governor.
In a decisive step, the Governor has revoked all land allocations previously issued without proper documentation, emphasizing zero tolerance for sharp practices.
The reforms align with the administration’s “People First” agenda, which prioritizes accountability and prudent management of public assets.
In a statement signed by Linus Obogo, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, the move underscored the government’s resolve to restore public confidence in land administration across the state.
The development has been welcomed by stakeholders who see it as a bold effort to sanitize the sector and protect the state’s land resources for sustainable development.
