Ayade and his kinsmen from Okambi, Igwo, Atiekpe and Ikwornrikwo communities have been at daggers drawn over the proposed proposed International Cargo/passenger airport in Obudu.
While the kinsmen are kicking against the location of the project on their land as it would cost them their means of livelihood, the government has gone ahead to acquire over 9.5 square kilometers of land even without paying compensation.
The most affected are the widows from the four communities, who have raised the alarm over the destruction of their palm plantations and farms worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Speaking on behalf of the affected widows, Mrs. Felicia Agba lamented their living condition and the untold hardship the proposed International Cargo airport has brought no them.
Agnes, from Okambi village, said they regret voting for Gov Ben Ayade who is their son because they voted themselves into hell fire.
“We regret voting the governor for the second time because of the kind of hardship we are now facing. Our farms including palm estate has been destroyed. For me the palm estate was my pension and retirement plan as well as only major source of income for and my children.
“It seems we have voted ourselves into hell fire with the kind of treatment we are now getting. I am over 60 years, I retired as a teacher and I have lost my husband .I have eight children some are grown and married but the ones with me I have to train.
“All my hope is on the palm estate that has been destroyed. I have no other means to survive with my children; it’s my major source of income.
“The authorities should please take the Cargo Airport project to somewhere else because they have taken all our land and have no way to farm. I can’t start planting new ones now. I feel pained in my soul,” she said.
Another widow, Mrs. Regina Ibiam, said her game was not only destroyed but that her house was attacked and some part vandalized because she protested against the destruction over of her farm as well as destruction of her crops.
She said: “I was sleeping that faithful night when a group of armed youths broke my windows and glasses and they tried to gain access into my house if not for the iron doors and window protectors.
“They are using thugs and armed men to terrorize us because we said we don’t want airport. They have destroyed my farm ad crops, I mainly plant rice, and cocoa, groundnut and other things and I do this every year
“Since I lost my husband I am like a father and mother at the same time. I now beg for food, even cassava because the ones in my farm have been destroyed because of airport,” she decried.
When contacted, the Special Adviser .Technical, to Governor Ben Ayade ,Arc. Eric Akpo said nobody was protesting adding that the people want the project and payment has gone as far as 70 percent.
He said: It is not true that youths or widows or anybody for that matter are being attacked in Obudu over the proposed Obudu international passenger / cargo airport. It is totally false.
“Why will they protest when we have paid over 70% of the compensation for the lands acquired to the host communities? Neighbouring communities are also appealing that we include them even though we have not acquired their lands,” he stated.