Akwa Ibom State Government says it has spent over N4 billion on compensation to host communities and property owners to resolve long-standing land acquisition issues across strategic project locations in the State over the last one year.
The Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Ubong John Inyang stated this On Wednesday during the ongoing inter-ministerial briefing in Uyo.
The disbursed funds according to him covered lands acquired for Ibom Medical City, the new Akwa Ibom Geographic Information System (AKWAGIS) headquarters, the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation complex, the State Command and Control Centre, and multiple judicial quarters.
The commissioner also stated that a Land Conflict Resolution Desk has been established to encourage alternative dispute resolutions adding that the initiative has successfully facilitated the out-of-court settlement or withdrawal of over 100 pending land cases.
To modernise land administration, Inyang announced the formal rollout of AKWAGIS following recent executive assent, transitioning title verification, Certificate of Occupancy processing, and revenue collection to fully digitized platforms.
He added that urban planning frameworks are undergoing comprehensive reviews across primary growth corridors, including Uyo, Eket, Oron, and Ikot Ekpene, to curb illegal developments and enforce strict building regulations.
On public health infrastructure, Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation Hon. Ubuo Effiong Ubuo announced that site selections have been finalized for solar-powered, reticulated water schemes spanning all 369 electoral wards.
Ubuo confirmed that the State Executive Council approved the procurement of critical components to guarantee that every ward obtains direct access to clean, sustainable water sources under the state’s master plan.
He added that the ministry has finalized its comprehensive WASH Policy roadmap, aiming to systematically eliminate open defecation and achieve full Open Defecation Free status state-wide by 2030.
