By The Editor
Residents of Nsie Community in Atak Oro Development Area of Okobo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have staged a peaceful protest over the destruction of farmlands and economic crops caused by the ongoing construction of Sections 3A and 3B of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
The affected sections of the federal project are being handled by Hi Tech Construction Company. The protest, which drew men, women, youths and elders, took place within the impacted areas of the community.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Development Must Not Destroy Livelihoods,” “Compensate Nsie Farmers Now,” “Engage the Host Community,” and “Justice for Nsie,” the demonstrators called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently address their grievances.
Community members expressed support for the Coastal Highway project, describing it as a laudable infrastructure initiative capable of boosting economic growth. However, they decried what they described as the devastating impact on their means of survival, alleging that cassava farms, palm plantations and other economic crops were destroyed without proper enumeration or compensation.
According to the protesters, farming remains the primary source of livelihood in Nsie, and the loss of cultivated lands has left many families economically vulnerable.
Community leaders who addressed the gathering emphasized that the protest was peaceful, lawful and within the rights of citizens. They noted that the Constitution and the Land Use Act provide for compensation in cases of land acquisition and destruction of economic crops, insisting that their demands were anchored on established legal provisions.
They further clarified that the demonstration was not intended to obstruct the highway project or disrupt public order, but to seek fairness, transparency and recognition for the host community.
Among their demands are immediate enumeration of affected properties and crops, prompt payment of compensation to impacted farmers, transparent engagement with recognized community representatives, inclusion of local indigenes in employment and other project-related opportunities, and the establishment of a formal agreement to safeguard community interests.
Security personnel were present during the protest, which remained calm and orderly throughout.
The Nsie community reiterated its support for development but maintained that infrastructural advancement must not come at the expense of the livelihoods of host communities.
Further developments are expected as stakeholders respond to the concerns raised by the protesters.
The Evangelist News
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