Governor Bassey Otu has directed the immediate recovery of all portions of land belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) allegedly taken over by illegal occupants across the institution’s premises.
The governor’s intervention followed complaints from the university management over what it described as increasing encroachment on the institution’s property.
In response to the directive, the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, alongside security operatives from the Office of the State Security Adviser, carried out an inspection of the affected areas.
Addressing journalists during the visit, Agbor stated that the state government would not condone the unlawful occupation of government-owned property, insisting that all illegally occupied sections of the university land would be reclaimed.
According to him, Governor Otu’s directive on the matter was unambiguous, stressing that the administration remained committed to recovering every encroached portion of the institution’s land without exception.
He described the situation as disturbing, noting that illegal developers had continued erecting structures on the property despite earlier warnings issued by authorities.
Agbor further revealed that the governor had ordered the closure of access routes used for transporting building materials into the disputed areas as part of efforts to stop further development on the land.
He warned affected occupants to vacate the property immediately, adding that enforcement operations would continue until the university fully regains possession of its land.
The asset recovery adviser also assured that the state government would introduce stronger measures aimed at safeguarding public assets and preventing future encroachment across Cross River State.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, applauded the governor for swiftly responding to the issue.
Ojikpong said the growing encroachment posed a serious threat to the university’s expansion drive and the execution of critical academic programmes, adding that urgent action had become necessary to preserve the institution’s future development.
Also speaking, the university’s Director of Administration and Council Affairs, Mr. Edem Effiong Ekanem, disclosed that recent findings indicated that close to 60 per cent of the institution’s land had been encroached upon.
He explained that previous assessments placed the figure slightly above 50 per cent, but lamented that the situation had deteriorated over time.
Ekanem maintained that the land was legally acquired and officially gazetted by the state government between 1972 and 1974, insisting that ownership of the property remained valid despite the alleged removal of boundary beacons by suspected encroachers.