About two days ago, the report of the Odey Oyama-led Environment Cluster, a subcommittee under the Fidelis Ugbo-led Transition Report Review Committee, diffused into the media space after being presented to Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, the Secretary to the Cross River State government on the 19th of June, for consideration by the governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, wherein they recommended that government should take ownership of the lands and the property on it.
The report was titled “Unlawful reassignment of the lands belonging to Cross River State Water Board Limited”. The report highlighted the land grabbing spree, unlawful allocation of lands to government officials who became wealthy overnight in the previous administration of Sen. Ben Ayade, and sundry malfeasance. For the informed members of the public, the committee did nothing worthy of special notice or revealed new findings, however, they are only commended for having the courage and audacity to reproduce what is already a common knowledge.
Before the emergence of Prince Otu, there have been public outcries from civil society groups, individuals and environmental protection activists over the wrongdoings by agents of government without recourse to the law and the attendance impacts on the area under the radar. Many allayed fears and some raised alarms over the erection of buildings on top of water pipelines and other installations underground. Their alarms fell on deaf ear until now.
With the propositions by the committee, Prince Otu is at the precipice of making history in the fight against political scoundrelism and abuse of power by government appendages who through the instrumentality of government, illegally acquired public lands for private purposes. Will the incumbent governor pick up the gauntlet and act like a leader with physical and moral courage or would he wiggle into his shell and allow this report to be swept under the carpet to save face of some individuals?
Sweet Prince as the governor is fondly called by his apologists and admirers is sadly being faced with the naked bitter reality of cleansing the Augean stables in the state. The case in hand is one aspect of the rot in the system which was enabled by the previous administration. This is a remarkable characteristic of that government. Sadly, some of those involved in this despicable action against the public are elected officers in this administration. They are in the executive, legislature, at the party level and in the circle yet to be appointed sooner. Apologies to my readers, I do not have the luxury of time to mention names as the list would be inexhaustible to compile.
If the governor has a heart of his own, he must act like Hercules to effect great improvements in government, abolish abuses and set a new pace worthy of emulation. Sincerely, this is more or less a baptism of fire for the governor. However, it would be considered a matter of great good fortune for the governance of the state if the governor would be courageous enough not to bow blindly to conventional prejudices or shudder over reprisal moves by his benefactors and political allies — rather, heed to the recommendations of the Environment Cluster committee.
Prince Otu is faced with two dangerous alternatives, each of which is to be dreaded as much as the other. But, he must either serve the public or serve his allies. Albeit, if he fails to act in favour of the public, then, he’s as guilty as the perpetrators. That said, I’m an optimist — but on this matter, I feel the aura of pessimism around. I doubt if the governor would do anything. May he dissolve my doubt even as I toe the line of the committee that the government should observe and exercise the legal Latin maxim of Quidquid plantatur solo solo cedit; meaning: Whatever is affixed to the soil, belongs to the soil.
My prayers and thoughts are with Prince Bassey Otu.