Cross River govt, Presbyterian Church conflict over entry highway

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN, has fenced off an entry highway opened by the Cross River State authorities via its premises in Calabar, accusing the federal government of failing to honour an settlement on the usage of its property.

The highway, which runs via the premises of Hope Waddell Training Institution, one of many oldest secondary colleges in southern Nigeria, gives entry to the shoreline and Anansa group in Calabar.

The church mentioned its resolution to dam the highway adopted repeated delays by the state authorities in signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to manage the short-term use of the property.

According to a church official, the federal government approached the PCN to offer another entry path to allow residents to proceed their financial actions whereas efforts had been made to handle the harm.

The church agreed to the request on the understanding that the federal government would formally doc the association and endorse agreed circumstances earlier than opening the highway.

However, the official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, alleged that the federal government opened the highway barely two days after discussions with out acquiring written approval from the church.

“While the church was waiting for the documentation, it was surprising that the state government, two days after the discussion, without any approval or written agreement, opened up the road.

“Yet, we saved calling on the federal government for the MoU to be signed, however the authorities by no means confirmed up regardless of a number of conferences agreed upon,” he said.

The official also accused government representatives of treating the church’s cooperation with disregard, alleging that the church suffered additional inconveniences, including the demolition of its Synod Office.

He said the Synod Moderator had consequently directed the immediate closure of the road until the government signed the MoU and fulfilled the agreed conditions.

Confirming the action, the church’s Office Manager in Calabar, Rev. Anam Bassey, said the PCN had erected a perimeter fence across the access road and blocked another passage.

But the state government said it was unaware of the latest development.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said the matter could be resolved through direct engagement between the church leadership and Governor Bassey Otu.

“I’m not even conscious of this problem; possibly it is because of these dealing with the matter. I’m positive the Prelate has direct entry to the Governor, and the church might leverage that to type issues out.

“The governor, who is my boss, is not an unreasonable person. He has a lot of regard for the body of Christ,” Cobham mentioned.