To create a safe corridor against the dangers associated with unregistered and unmapped lands, the Cross River State Governor, His Excellency Senator (Apostle) Prince Bassey Edet Otu, through the Cross River State Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) headed by Mr. William Archibong, Director General (DG), has embarked on a state-wide sensitization campaign. The campaign aims to educate and inform citizens about the risks of unmapped lands and the benefits of proper land documentation.
According to Mr. Archibong, “We are here to sensitize this community on the importance of improving our land acquisition and registration processes for the good of all Cross Riverians. The CRGIA plays a key role in resolving communal crises within local communities. We carry the message of our dear Governor to the grassroots so that people can be aware and well-informed about obtaining their Certificates of Customary Occupancy. We appeal to our traditional leaders to support this movement by carrying out more sensitization within your districts so that we can achieve success together.”
Also speaking during the event, the Director of Operations, CRGIA, Mr. Jesam Iwara, stated: “When multiple people contest ownership of a parcel of land, the role of the Agency is to determine the rightful ownership in collaboration with traditional institutions. We believe that these institutions play a vital role in ensuring seamless land administration across local government areas. Working with royal fathers, family heads, clan heads, and paramount rulers, we will ensure that land is owned by the rightful people.”
He further explained: “Where disputes exist, traditional rulers will step in to resolve such matters before any title is issued. As we issue titles progressively, we are also resolving communal problems one at a time. For instance, if a community has fifteen disputed parcels of land and we successfully issue titles for eight, that means we have effectively settled eight communal issues or boundary disputes. Our goal is to gradually eliminate boundary conflicts across Cross River State.”
The sensitization campaign began in the Governor’s Local Government Area, Odukpani — in line with the saying that charity begins at home. Recognizing traditional rulers as the primary custodians of land, the team visited the Odukpani Traditional Rulers’ Council, where they were warmly received by the Paramount Ruler of Odukpani and other traditional leaders.
The Cross River State Geographic Information Agency is mandated by the government to handle all land registration and verification processes. During the visit, the DG and his team explained the importance of cooperating with the government to map the entire local government area.
In an inspiring presentation, the Director of Marketing, Mr. Asuquo Eyibio Effiong, highlighted the numerous benefits of mapped lands. According to him, “The government wants to add value to every parcel of land, including those in remote communities. Farmers can use their mapped lands to access loans and grants, enabling them to expand their farming operations.”
Mr. Eyibio also informed the royal fathers about the Federal Government’s plan to protect reserved forests. He cautioned that soon, any farming activity carried out on Government reserved land could be classified as encroachment on government reserves, which may attract prosecution.
The traditional rulers expressed deep appreciation to the Governor for consistently prioritizing the welfare of the people. HRH Etinyin Asuquo Ekpenyong (Snr.) commended the Governor and the CRGIA for initiating the land mapping process, describing it as a visionary move that will add significant value to lands in rural communities.
The Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Etim Asido, represented by Barr. Alex Asuquo, also lauded the initiative. In his remarks, he assured the Governor and the CRGIA of total cooperation and promised to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to further spread the message across the local government.
Some traditional rulers, however, raised concerns about the potential cost and stress of the process, noting that many landowners might find it difficult to travel from remote villages to Calabar for registration and mapping.
In response, Mr. Jesam Iwara assured the royal fathers that the Agency would deploy Desk Officers to all Local Government Areas to handle registrations locally. This, he said, would eliminate the need for landowners to travel to the Agency’s headquarters in Calabar.
In his closing remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Odukpani, HRH Etinyin Meseme II, thanked the Governor for his People’s First mantra, describing it as a leadership philosophy rooted in the welfare and progress of the people. He commended the land mapping initiative as a timely and effective system that will help end long-standing communal clashes across the state.
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