The Cross River government says it is set to pay compensation to property owners along the Calabar-Itu highway to fast-track the implementation of the road project.

Information commissioner Erasmus Ekpang disclosed this in an interview in Calabar on Friday.

Mr Ekpang said the government would spend about N400 million to pay the compensation.

The commissioner stated that the move was part of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held reverently.

According to him, the government will only compensate those whose properties were identified in the original demolishment.

He said although the federal government was responsible for paying, the Governor Bassey Otu-led government chose to prioritise the welfare of the people.

”We are also doing this to avoid delays. We have decided to put our people first by bearing this burden,” the commissioner said.

Mr Ekpang said that the Otu-led administration had also concluded arrangements for an aggressive urban renewal drive in the state’s three senatorial districts.

”We are embarking on massive rehabilitation and construction of roads in Ogoja and Ikom. Traffic and street lights will be installed at major junctions and roads in the areas,” he said.

The commissioner said the move was in line with the administration’s commitment to decentralise development in the state.

”This move will create avenues for our people outside the urban centre to benefit from governance,” he said.

Mr Ekpang said that the governor had approved the construction of 5km of Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Benue Border road (phase one) and three kilometres of Yache-Alifokpa road (phase one)

(NAN)