The Cross River State Government has announced the immediate revocation of land allocations within the Digital Layout, Water Board Environs in Calabar.
The directive, issued via a public notice dated June 16, 2026, and signed by the Honorable Commissioner for Lands, Chief Dr. Francis Ekpeyong, affects dozens of allottees who have reportedly breached statutory land regulations and financial obligations.
According to the official document published in The Nation newspaper (as seen published today 2nd July 2026), the state government cited two primary reasons for taking this drastic disciplinary action:
- Outstanding Indebtedness: Affected allottees failed to settle prescribed allocation fees, ground rents, and other statutory charges. The government noted that the revocations were executed after the developers ignored previous notices and opportunities provided to comply.
- Infrastructure Risks: The authorities highlighted unauthorized development and construction activities on top of Water Board pipeline corridors and other utility rights-of-way. The government stated that these encroachments pose “significant risks to water supply operations, public safety, and maintenance activities.”
Immediate Demolition and Legal Actions Loom
With the revocation taking immediate effect, the Ministry of Lands has stripped the affected allottees of all rights, interests, and privileges previously granted to them.
The state government has issued a strict three-point directive to the affected parties:
- Cease all development activities on the affected properties immediately.
- Remove any structures, materials, or encroachments situated within the Water Board pipeline corridor as directed by relevant authorities.
- Surrender all allocation documents relating to the affected plots to the appropriate government office within 30 days of receipt of the notice.
The Ministry warned that non-compliance with these directives will trigger severe enforcement actions. This includes the potential demolition of illegal structures, the forceful recovery of outstanding liabilities, and any other legal measures permitted under the Land Use Act.
The notice includes a comprehensive schedule detailing the names, plot numbers, and specific financial liabilities of all affected allottees, signaling the government’s commitment to transparency and strict enforcement of urban planning laws.
Full list of beneficiaries of land allocations in Water Board Premises Calabar, Cross River State.
Their payment status as attached to the Revocation Notice published in the Nation Newspaper today July 2, 2026.
