A/Ibom Youths Block Highway Over Compensation Row
Work on the Okobo Local Government Area axis of the Akwa Ibom State segment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project has been disrupted by angry youths from Nsie community.
The youths are demanding adequate compensation for houses, farmlands, shrines, tombs, and aquatic ecosystems allegedly destroyed by construction firms handling the project.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that the first phase of the project is nearing completion ahead of its May 2026 deadline. However, aggrieved residents of Nsie community took to the streets in protest, expressing anger that compensation for destroyed properties had not been adequately remitted to beneficiaries, despite a reported N18 billion earmarked for the purpose by the federal government.
The protesters accused Hitech Construction Company, a consulting firm on the project, of failing to meet expectations in the disbursement of compensation to rightful owners.
Consequently, youths from Nsie community stormed Hitech Construction sites in a large convoy of motorcycles, accompanied by armed hoodlums, and shut down operations, insisting that work would not resume until their demands were met.
Although the extent of damage to the company’s assets could not be immediately ascertained, the irate youths—drawn from both local and national leadership of the Nsie Youth Association (NYA), representing the five villages that make up Nsie Clan—occupied the premises for several hours before community leaders and stakeholders intervened to calm tensions.
Among the traditional rulers who appealed for peace were Chief Bassey Philip of Nsie Eyo Omoyo village and Chief Bassey John Bassey of Nsie Eyo Imansek village. They called on the Ahta Oro and Paramount Ruler of Okobo, His Royal Majesty Edidem Ita Okokon, to deploy traditional mechanisms to resolve the crisis.
According to the protesting youths, compensation packages meant for the community were allegedly hijacked by a Community Liaison Officer (CLO), a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), whom they accused of haphazard disbursement of funds and shortchanging several beneficiaries.
“We demand the exposure of those who took it upon themselves to negotiate and collect compensation on behalf of the community. We became aware of these fraudulent deals as far back as early January, including details of alleged transactions,” the youths stated.
A senior official of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nsie Youth Association, Comrade Victor Daniel Etim, maintained that the youths’ position was necessary to reclaim the community’s rights and privileges.
While distancing himself from any attempt to vandalize equipment or assault company workers, he also cautioned protesters against holding the construction project hostage.
He, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the project under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We thank Mr President for this massive project passing through our community, but it is criminal for any individual to exploit the situation to defraud vulnerable people,” he said.
Another beneficiary alleged that an indigene of the community and staff member of Akwa Ibom State University fraudulently presented himself to Hitech Construction Company as a community representative. According to him, the suspect manipulated the bank account details of the village head and facilitated unauthorized access to the accounts of rightful beneficiaries.
He further claimed that the CLO approached village heads—many of whom are barely literate—and pressured them into providing bank account details under the guise of facilitating compensation payments, without consulting the actual property owners.
“I was at home worrying about how to feed my children when my wife was away. I suddenly received money and withdrew part of it to buy food, only to later learn that it was compensation meant for our community land,” one beneficiary recounted.
To avoid taking the law into their own hands, the youths formally lodged a complaint with the Paramount Ruler of Okobo, Edidem Ita Okokon, who subsequently summoned elders, leaders, youths, and other stakeholders to resolve the matter and allow work to resume.
In his remarks, the National President of the Nsie Youth Association, Mr Unwana Okon Oyononwi, condemned what he described as the actions of a single individual misleading the entire community for personal gain.
He urged the paramount ruler to use his authority to engage community leaders, youths, and Hitech management in investigating the allegations and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
A representative of the State Ministry of Works, who preferred anonymity, alongside a consultant identified as Mr Udoka, expressed disappointment over the situation and pledged to follow due process to ensure the suspect is prosecuted.
Meanwhile, reports circulating on various media platforms since last month have presented a different narrative, suggesting that full compensation had already been paid to eligible community members. However, questions remain as to how the funds were allegedly misappropriated, leading to widespread suspicion and tension within the community.
Despite the controversy, investigations indicate that Hitech Construction Company has provided compensation and support to affected communities through initiatives such as employment opportunities, skills development programmes, and other Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
