UCCDA director, Town Planner Effiong Akpan, during his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry on the collapsed Reigners Church that sat at MBA Bar Centre, Uyo, disclosed that the site of Reigners Bible Church International was not cleared for any physical development or issuance of certificate of occupancy as the plot was situated within the area of conservation by the state government.
Attention of the commission was drawn to the letter which refused the Reigners’s Church application for certificate of occupancy during cross-examination of Effiong Akpan by Barr. F.J. Itim, the leading counse. Stated on the letter dated 22nd February, 2012, addressed, with the reference number: UCCDA/AD/104 Vol. 7/276, to the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, State Secretariat Complex, Uyo with the caption, ‘Site Not Cleared: Reigners Bible Church International Incorporated’ with the survey plan number, 80/JJ/1/2010/2, and signed by Town Planner Etop Stephen Uko for the secretary, head of administration, “ I am directed to refer to your letter dated October 5, 2010 and to inform you that the plan with the above survey plan number is within the area of conservation by the state government. It is therefore not cleared for any physical development or issuance or certificate of occupancy.”
Mr. Effiong Akpan had explained that a threat of gully erosion was the origin of the problem that led to declaration of the area where the site of Reigners Church is located a government conservation area.
“In the year 2000, parts of Eka Street in Uyo was taken over by the ravine; part of University of Uyo was also taken over by the ravine; and to be precise, the compound of late Obong Michael Udo Eka collapsed with the ravine. Having notice all these problems, in the year 2000, all land bordering the ravine areas of Idim Ikot Ntuen Offot, tributaries of Ikpa River, Idim Eniong, Ikot Ayan, Ikot Ntuen Offot, Ekpri Nsukara, Anua, Uyo, Afaha Oku, Ndue Otong all in Uyo Local Government Area was declared a Forest Reserve Area as published in The Pioneer Newspaper of 20th October, 2000. This was done in the overriding public interest.” Mr. Akpan testified.
The UCCDA witness further said that all the buildings located in the area are illegal and are likely to collapse like Reigners church building anytime.
“All buidings in Uyo reservation area are illegal. There are possibilities of imminent collapse because due process has not been followed. The area is subject to landslide anytime anyday.” The witness said.
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