Demolition: Property owner seeks Gov Eno’s help over ₦3.7 million compensation for ₦8 million home project

A property owner in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has publicly appealed to Governor Umo Eno, seeking a review of the compensation offered for his land, which was acquired for the state's Medical City project. Peter Lambert stated that the ₦3.7 million compensation provided by the Ministry of Lands and Town Planning has left him financially devastated and emotionally exhausted.

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Dear Gov Eno, in life, I’ve tried my best to get certain things and am still struggling. This is the condition your Government, through the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Lands, has put me (at Ekpemiong Itak, where you are building Medical City), due to poor compensation for a site that took all my savings between service year (2021) and post-service year (2025).

Lambert explained that he invested nearly ₦8 million between his 2021 service year and post-service year up to 2025 on acquiring the land, survey, drawings, fence, soakaway, and an uncompleted three-bedroom bungalow in Ekpemiong Itak. He expressed deep frustration and hopelessness, stating, "When frustrations are too much, and you feel hopeless in a situation that someone could have helped – I just feel tired."

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When frustrations are too much, and you feel hopeless in a situation that someone could have helped – I just feel tired.

He is not seeking special treatment but hopes the government will provide compensation closer to his initial investment. Lambert also pointed out the significant increase in construction costs, noting that cement prices have risen from ₦9,500-₦10,000 to ₦13,000 per bag. This situation makes rebuilding the partially completed house even more challenging. His predicament underscores the broader issue of affordability in Akwa Ibom, where rising land prices, construction costs, and rent increases are making homeownership increasingly difficult.

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If by any time soon or later, I finally declare that I’m completely tired of this world, I don’t think anyone would blame me for giving up because I did my best.