No Backdated Allocation Should Be Treated, Gov Otu Orders As Cross River Land Use Allocation Committee Gets New Secretary

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has approved the appointment of Surveyor Efiong Edem Ekpenyong as the new Secretary of the State’s Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC), following the retirement of Mr. Obase Ekaba.

Otu, who announced the appointment on Monday, said the move was part of his administration’s renewed commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and due process in land administration across the state.

He stated that the government would no longer tolerate any form of backdated or undocumented land allocation, warning that such practices undermine the integrity of the system.

“I have directed that no backdated or undocumented land allocations should be processed. Every new allocation must follow due process and proper payment,” the Governor said.

He added that his administration’s goal was to safeguard public assets and ensure fairness in the management of land matters, stressing that land remains one of the state’s most valuable resources that must be administered with honesty and diligence.

Otu expressed confidence that Ekpenyong’s appointment would help strengthen the Land Use and Allocation Committee and enhance the efficiency of its operations, as the state continues its reforms to build a more transparent and accountable governance structure.