The Ikom/Alok monoliths in tentative list for World Heritage Status

These monoliths are the logo of the Cross River Tourism Bureau and are depicted in a giant sculpture at a roundabout on the highway. A very important tourism asset)

Here is an excerpt from UNESCO

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

The stone monoliths of Alok Ikom bear a form of writing and a complex system of codified information. Although they seem to share the same general features, each stone, like the human finger print, is unique from every other stone in its design and execution.

The geometric images on the monoliths suggest that their makers possessed more than a basic knowledge of mathematics, not only because they are geometric, but also because of the obvious implication that there were computations and numbers on the layout of the stones.

Comparison with other similar properties

The Ikom monoliths with their geometric inscriptions could be compared to the rock Arts of Tanzania. The meanings of the codified symbol are known to only the artists. These are also associated with their origin, which is like most rock art works in Africa. Ikom monoliths could be West Africa's answer to United Kingdom's Stonehenge.

for more information >>> http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5173/

Super Highway: Communities Spit Fire Over Non Payment Of Compensation

Source New Nigerian Newspaper by VITALIS UGOH, Calabar

Villagers from Ikot Okpo Ene, Ikot Ndarake and Ikot Abasi Effiom in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River, have vowed not to allow construction work on the proposed Superhighway until the state government pays compensation on the destruction of property and economic crops.

Over a billion Naira worth of property, farm lands and economic crops were lost as the government cleared the starting point of the project.

The people have remained in perpetual hardship and pains in the last two years when the state government conceived the idea of constructing the superhighway which till now has not seen the light of the day.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on 30th October, 2015 performed the ground breaking ceremony to commence the construction of a superhighway from Bakassi to Obanliku in the state.

However soon after the ceremony, the state government mobilised machines to the affected three communities in Akpabuyo and began clearing of farm lands as well as economic trees which are the major sources of income for the villagers.

Narrating their ordeal to newsmen, Chief Emmanuel Okon, who spoke on behalf the three communities, regretted ” that no inventory was taken by government on the number of economic trees and property destroyed. Till the his moment, no plan has been made by the state government to pay compensation to the affected comminatory and individuals”.

Okon said ” the sources  of livelihood of our people especially women have been destroyed as women and children have resorted to begging to survive”.

This ugly development, he said, has increased the rate of youth restiveness and crime in the area while over 10 youths and children have dropped from school due to the inability of their parents to pay their fees.

He commended the out cries of the Non-governmental organisations in the state which made the Federal government to halt the project until the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out.

As a community, he added, “we are not aware of any of the conditions that have been met as directed by the Federal Ministry of Environment by the state government especially the directive to consult with the host communities and issue of payment of compensation”.

Despite not meeting the conditionalities, he said, “the state government has mobilised machines on site to resume the clearing of the farm lands, when there is no formal approval of the (EIA) from the Federal government”.

While describing the project as “one shrouded with deceit and illegality as well as anti people” he called on the Federal government to compel the state to as a matter of priority pay compensation to the affected communities.

Also speaking, chief Saviour Effiom Duke from one of the communities, expressed worry over the plight of his people whose property and farm lands as well as economic trees were destroyed.

He called on the Federal government to compel the state government to commence the payment of compensation without delay.

“We are not against the construction of the superhighway, but government should pay compensation over the destruction of our property and economic trees.

Also, a blind man and several widows narrated their ordeal as they had lost their palm plantations and their farmlands.

Source New Nigerian Newspaper 

DOWNLOAD - Economic Alternatives to the Cross River Super Highway

Is it sensible for a broke Cross River State state to try to build a new "super highway" when its existing roads are in shambles and rural roads are insufficient? If this new road is economically viable why are there no investors? For facts -  Download Economic Alternatives to the Cross River Super Highway HERE 

This is an ambitious and expensive project. There has been so much debate about the human and environmental cost of the super highway and very little debate on its viability for investors. How will the project be funded and recouped? Why are there no investors?

Download Economic Alternatives to the Cross River Super Highway HERE 
an in depth analysis from RRDC, Green Code and BudgIT

Cross River Super highway victims cry for compensation

Cross River Super highway victims cry for compensation.

Over one year after losing crops to bulldozers for the ill fated Cross river superhighway farmers have been ignored. The "signature project" of Governor Ayayde has been fraught with procedural lapses, protests, lack of investors and an inability to secure Federal environmental permits despite for submissions for what is viewed by many as a logging scheme to access valuable hardwood.

Listen to the voices of those affected.

FULL List of Conditions in FG Provisional EIA Approval of Cross River Super Highway

There has been much rejoicing by the Cross River State Government over an "EIA approval" for its proposed superhighway. However what was obtained is a conditional approval with 23 pre-conditions. As usual people do not have the full text of the conditions and clearly the State Government is not releasing any details. Here is a list of all the pre-conditions many of which cannot be completed within a 2 week deadline or are vague at best. 

23 CONDITIONS FOR PROVISIONAL APPROVAL OF THE SUPERHIGHWAY PROJECT     

Some Highlights

        Plan to be revised and resubmitted within 2 weeks

• ·         Development and funding of biodiversity offset to be included
• ·         List of all affected 5 communities  must be made public by the Cross River State      Govt. 
• -         Communities already affected by earlier clearing before stop work order last year  must be compensated before work commences
• ·         Create and implement resettlement plan etc before starting work
• ·         CRSG to maintain corridor at 70m. Reversal of revocation of earlier hotly contested 
•           20.4km width with 10km either side offset must  be GAZETTED before work  commences. Affected land ownership revoked had included Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar Municipality and Calabar South contrary to popular belief it was just a forest matter in Central and Northern LGs. 
• ·         All non-Nigerian and Cross River wild life references to be addressed.
• ·         Long-term indirect impact on CRNP due to hunting and habitat loss to be addressed
• ·         All NGOs, national and international, to be consulted throughout
• ·         CRSG to protect hydrology and wildlife corridors
• ·         Map to be made clearer, should not cut through Ekuri or CRNP
• ·         Erosion controls to be included
• ·         Safety standards      
• 
  

Approval for the project subject to the following conditions:

1. The EIA approval shall cover only the construction of a 275km long by 70m width Super Highway of 6 lanes including setbacks and other associated infrastructures such as eco-friendly bridges, culverts, drainages from Calabar to Katsina-Ala junction in Cross River State.
2. Cross River State Government (CRSG) shall ensure that the construction of the entire road project and associated infrastructures conform to standard engineering codes and International best practices.
3. CRSG shall ensure that the diverse management plans, which include Environmental Management Plan (EMP); Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP); Resettlement Action Plan (RAP); Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP); Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (GHGMP); Public Consultation Plan (PCP); Waste Management Plan (WMP); Traffic Management Plan (TMP) as well as Labour and Human Resources Plan (LHRP) put in place for the road project are strictly adhered to as required throughout the project lifecycle.
4. CRSG shall engage a group of accredited Consultants to effectively manage the diverse management plans for the proposed road project.
5. CRSG shall ensure the realignment of the 275.344km road corridor from the boundary of the Cross River National Park is in line with the National Park Service (NPS) Act CAP LFN 2016.
6. CRSG shall ensure the re-routed road corridor is clearly depicted on a map in the updated EIA report taking cognizance of the boundary of Cross River National Park and Ekuri Community Forest as well as conform to international best practices on setbacks for highways in critical ecosystems such as the proposed corridor.
7. CRSG shall gazette the reversal of revocation order on the acquisition of 10km on either side to the 70km span of the road corridor as well as the gazetting of the boundary of Cross River National Park within two weeks (2) of receipt of this letter.
8. CRSG shall ensure that the initial land clearing of the road corridor that was carried out without due inventory of the third party properties/farmlands is revisited to adequately compensate the project affected persons (PAPS) in line with National and International standards of practice on resettlement and restoration plans. This shall be done prior to project commencement.
9. CRSG shall identify all proximate communities to the road corridor within the established area of influence as well as the project affected persons (PAPS) and ensure that every community/PAP is regularly consulted with throughout the project lifespan.
10. The environmental offsetting should be one of the guiding principles for the proposed road construction as the proposed project area of influence is noted for endemic, threatened and endangered flora and fauna. There shall be development and funding of Biodiversity offset by CRSG.
11. CRSG shall ensure that all relevant non-governmental organizations both local and international are consulted with regularly during the project lifespan to ensure among others biodiversity protection and project sustainability.
12. CSRG shall ensure that the highly technical eco-friendly bridges to be constructed at strategic points/biodiversity hotspots/critical ecosystem on the road corridor are intensively monitored by specialized accredited consultants.
13. CSRG shall ensure that the borrow pits proposed for the road project are provided with coordinates for ease of location, site identification number, reclaimed and converted to alternative environmental-friendly uses in line with regulatory standards as well as International best practices.
14. CRSG shall ensure that the proposed road setbacks from third party structures, farmlands, critical ecosystem and green areas confirm to Engineering code of practice/regulatory standards as well as International best practices.
15. CRSG shall ensure that cautionary signs are appropriately placed at strategic points along the road corridor during implementation and throughout the lifecycle especially for wildlife crossing.
16. CSRG shall ensure proper drainage termination for the flow route of run-off/storm water to protect the road corridor from erosion, ensure that the road embankment is constructed in a way that allows free-flow of surface water run-off, that any existing access road to neighbouring villages and settlements are not blocked, create appropriate buffer zones to prevent damage to unique ecosystems as well as enhance forest cover
17. CSRG shall put in place appropriate road furniture and safety standards in line with International best practices.
18. CRSG shall ensure that the proposed project protect the hydrology of wetlands, streams and channels through restoration of natural drainage pattern and reduce disruption of of ecological processes by providing wildlife corridor. 
19. CSRG shall provide adequate personal protective equipment for workers, ensure that every worker on the project is adequately trained on Health; Safety and Environment procedures for Highway and provide sanitary facilities and mobile clinic during project construction
20. CSRG shall ensure that the maintenance and management of the road corridor is in line with International best practices.    
21. There shall be Impact Mitigation Monitoring (IMM), Post Impact Assessment (PIA), Environmental Audits and Compliance Monitoring on the project by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with other relevant regulatory agencies.
22. CSRG shall put in place a robust contingency plan for the proposed road project.
23. CSRG shall update 4^th version of the EIA report to also include the following:-

a.      To exclude flora and fauna that are non-existent in the proposed project area of influence as per the attached;

b.      A comprehensive list of the actual affected communities along the proposed road corridor;

c.       List of borrow pits with coordinates and site identity for the proposed road project;

d.      Map clearly showing the preferred road corridor with coordinates as well as major crossings along the entire stretch;

e.      The EIA report should consider indirect long term impacts of hunting and habitat loss on Cross River National Park proximity to the Super Highway with improved access to the forest.     

f.        The updated 4^th version of the EIA report shall be submitted to the Ministry within two (2) weeks of the receipt of the letter.

ADD ON. In my opinion none of these requirements can be done in 2 weeks, there are still no funders and with the recent NDDC take over of the old Calabar - Oban - Ikom - Etung road the journey to Ikom will be 1hr without the super highway within the next 2 years well before the super highway 2022 proposed completion date.

Superhighway: Government seeks explanation on ‘strange’ wildlife EIA mentions - Environews

The roloway monkey is not found in Nigeria. Cross River State EIA claims it is. Photo credit: Sébastien Meys, La Palmyre Zoo

This article appears in Environews

In a move that appear to call the authenticity of the report to question, the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEv) has categorically stated that such wildlife do not exist in Cross River State – some not even in Nigeria – and therefore wants state officials to address such queries in the updated report that is expected to be submitted in two weeks.

For instance government explained that the Bunbundi bat (Chalinolobus egeria) has not been recorded from Cross River and the pitch shrew (Crocidura picea) has only ever been recorded from Cameroon.

Additionally, noted the FMEv, while the long footed shrew (Crocidura crenata) has not been recorded from Nigeria, the Eisentraut’s mouse shrew (Myosorex eisentrauti) is only found on the island of Bioko.

Similarly, the forest chameleon (Chamaeleo camurunensis) – assumed to be Trioseros camerunensis is restricted to Cameroon, while the Cameroon worm lizard (Cynisca shaeferi) has not been recorded from Nigeria.

Furthermore, both the Schneider’s banana frog (Afrixalus Schneider) and the Dizangue reed frog (Hyperrolius bopeleti) have only ever been recorded from Cameroon.

Also mentioned were the Werner’s river frog (Phrynobatrachus werneri) which FMEv officials say has only been recorded in Nigeria from the Obudu Plateau, and the worm lizard (Cynisca gansi), which is said to have only ever been recorded from Okoloma village near PortHarcourt.

The FMEv wrote: “Many of the species listed in Table 6.1 such as the Indian Malimba, Sclater’s guenon and the Anambra waxbill are not present in Cross River State, though known from Nigeria.

“Appendix A2 is clearly not the work of PGM Nigeria Limited and has merely been copied from elsewhere. This is unacceptable. The list contains many species not known from Cross River such as the Niger Delta red colobus monkey (Procolobus epieni); others such as the roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway) are not found in Nigeria and some are not even known from Africa such as the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbaeianus).

“There is no hedgehog (Erinaceus or Atelerix) (listed on Table 4.56) found in the rainforests of Cross River State; it likely confused with the brush-tailed porcupine.

“Table 4.60 lists threatened mammal species, but Cercopithecus erythrogaster is not found in Cross River and Cercopithecus roloway is not found in Nigeria.”

Designed to link Calabar, the state capital, to the neighboring Benue State, the $3.5 billion Superhighway will pass through biodiversity rich forests in the Ekuri community as well as the Cross River National Park (CRNP), a development observers feel will have far reaching implications for thousands of families and their livelihoods, as well as flora and fauna.

Cross River superhighway EIA fails to impress for 3rd time out

Cross River superhighway EIA fails to impress 3rd time out

NLC (labour union) flags at EIA hearing in Calabar

The Environmental EIA stakeholder event was hosted in Calabar by the Federal Ministry of Environment on the proposed Cross River Super Highway, today, Thursday, 16 March 2017.
It was graced by the State Governor, Ben Ayade who made an emotional case for a speedy approval that cited political detractors, seized oil wells, reduced revenues and enemies of progress willing to sell their future for a few bucks. He stated that the world has moved on from environmental conservation and is practicing management, whatever that means. He came with a flag waving contingent from the NLC and was loudly cheered by his supporters.
Shockingly he left the venue after his speech without listening to any feedback from communities who will be affected by this project and some whose crops where destroyed over a year ago without a kobo of compensation. He did not dwell on his initial seizure of 25% of the land mass of Cross River State for this one road that was fought and reversed a week ago.

So
The EIA for the cross river superhighway has been sent back to the state for being substandard twice. The consultant today acknowledged that the Federal Ministry of Environment scored the process low because of low community consultation, inadequate field work and a host of other issues. Today in the audience community leaders who wanted the project and those who don’t want the project all said the same thing. They have not been consulted. This is the third version of this EIA and they still have not been consulted.

It is mind boggling that a Professor of the Environment is unable to commission competent EIA for the third time in a row.
The THIRD version of the EIA is no better. Here are just a few of its issues, some thrown up at the stakeholder event.
• Again. Poor consultation with communities mentioned and in many places reported, none at all. This is strange when it was easy to mobilize bulldozers to communities and survey the route before they were halted.
• Instances in the document where references are made not to a highway but to an airport or mine. This could be a cut and paste issue from a different document.
• Mention of species found on other continents suddenly attributed to Cross River. Again cut and paste issues from EIA’s belonging to a totally different project
• Mentions of partners who have denied any involvement in the EIA
The Federal Ministry of Environment had this to say
• They are tired of the consultant saying they will correct lapses that don’t get corrected
• Engineering designs should be included in the report
• Environmental safeguard should be addressed
• Social & livelihood plan not addressed
• Baseline data was not thoroughly or adequately done

The third time! This is an EIA commissioned by a Governor that is a Professor of the Environment for a project unknown investors are meant to sink $3.5 billion into. The opposition is not political. Do transparent people oriented projects and follow due process and standards first.

Yes people want roads. The people of New Ekuri for instance want a simple two lane road a few kilometres long to connect them to Ochong on the Federal Highway especially as the AFDB funded road failed to reach it as advertised. They need this as quickly as possible. They also have no water.

Tales of 12 lane superhighways with wi fi and speed cameras that will first destroy property, to evacuate containers to Niger and Chad from a non-existent port, toll vehicles heavily in the process and won’t be completed in the next 10 years are an extremely unfair guilt trip to force on people who need quick, relevant and useful interventions.

EIA aside
Please someone help me do math. Our Governor said today that 4,000 trucks will ply that road per day. Suspend disbelief and say yes. How much will they be charged as toll and for how long to recoup the $3.5billion dollars the as yet unknown investor will spend on the road? Assignment!

Pamela Braide
Thanks to greencode for live twitter updates on the session and Crossriverstate Civilsociety for a fast recap online.

p.s.
I won’t even touch statements like the world has moved from conservation to management. Anyway let me congratulate ALL who fearlessly put themselves on the line to force the Govt. reversal of the 10 km on either side of 400 m “buffer zone”.

Now the 20.4 km width has reduced to 70 m. Without you 25% of the landmass of Cross River State would have been seized for this mess rendering people landless, without homes or compensation in the name of development. All that is required is respect of process and transparency. Dassol.

Other articles on the matter

Superhighway Threatens World’s Biodiversity Hotspot

Cross River at crossroads

Again, EIA on 260km Super Highway Runs into Hitch

Advocacy archive

Cross River Reverses Land Siezure

Small victory!
Do not be quiet. Na who quiet don epp?

The Cross River State Governor has finally listened to protests and possibly council of his own aides and reversed part of the insane land mass he revoked for his superhhighway to nowhere. ie the infamous 10km on either side.
It is nowhere near enough.

1. He should also commit to compensation for the destruction already done so the fight continues.
2. We do not understand how compensation will be given along a 70m width when 400m width remains revoked. Has the 400m width in the first publication been reversed? Will people outside of the 70m width not receive compensation? Clarification is urgently needed.

3. I will not speak on the route until the Fed Min of Env opinion on the EIA the state commissioned comes out. Needless to say an EIA which references animals found in India and China as suddenly being in Cross River Forests and has large copy and paste section referring to mines instead of a road inspires zero confidence that a review actually took place and communities were involved.

For those who wonder what this is about the Cross River Govt has always submitted that a road with of roughly 70m wide would be impacted in its EIA(environmental impact assessment submissions) while revoking the mysterious 400m plus 20km in public.
Now the 10km on either side is gone reverse the entire revocation until an EIA comes out.

In Morocco last year at COP16 Governor Ben Ayade said those who claim he revoked a 20.4km width for his superhighway were peddling "ungodly lies" from the pit of hell... Well now it seems they were not . Aluta continua. It ain't over 'til its over. :D

A

The anniversary of a land grab

NGO RRDC show shocked community members the true extent of displacement

On January 22nd 2016 the Governor Ayade administration of Cross River State in the Chronicle publication revoked rights of ownership of one quarter of the States land mass for a proposed “super highway”. A land mass 5 times the size of London seized for one road. Here is a map with SOME names of communities, towns, villages swallowed by the Cross River 400 m wide highway and its massive 20km offset.

After an outcry from environmentalists the Federal Ministry of Environment put a halt to the project pending an environmental impact assessment of a project which passes through much Nigeria’s last protected forests and over 180 communities. The Governor has been vocal about continuing with the project despite its controversy and the States heavy debt profile.
One year later the absurdity of the 20.4km width and the enormous loss of property and land stands unchanged. Many have no clue the road is gulping an additional 10 km on either side for a so-called “buffer zone” which aides have explained will be used to “build new cities” not reflected in any budgets.
Stories abound of unprecedented logging, documented destruction of farms and possible placement of “MOU” banana, sugar cane ethanol and other plantations owned by foreign investors on this seized land.
Here is a breakdown of the map starting from Bakkasi that shows in detail names of communities affected. This is clearly inconclusive but it serves as a guide. Note if your community name falls anywhere within the pink zone your land and property is no longer yours. If it is on the line then it falls within the 400 m for the actual road. You can neither sell, develop, take any loans or use it as equity for any business. It ceased to be yours 6 weeks after the land was revoked on 22nd January 2016.

Enjoy the silence and happy anniversary! Pamela Braide

Special thanks to NGOCE for providing the map. They have a huge one hanging in the office.

Section 1.

The map from which above excerpts were derived 

Map from NGO's with vegetation

Cross River Government notice. Jan 22nd 2016

Cross River Government notice Jan 22nd 2016

List of communities  affected  by cross river super highway extracted from map
by no means complete

List of communities  affected  by cross river super highway extracted from map
by no means complete

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