The Cross River State Government has challenged housing corporations across Nigeria to move beyond constructing isolated estates and focus on developing scalable, replicable systems capable of bridging the nation’s widening housing deficit. Speaking on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu at a national housing workshop in Calabar, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Beatrice Igwe, emphasized that Nigeria’s shelter demand heavily outpaces current supply. This disparity persists primarily because conventional property development and financing models consistently exclude low-income earners from the formal property market.

To resolve these structural accessibility barriers, the state administration is piloting an innovative Public-Private-Community Partnership framework under its regional development agenda. As a practical step toward this goal, authorities announced the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for a 500-unit housing estate in the Central Senatorial District on July 4, 2026. The state plans to expand this systematic model across its Northern and Southern senatorial zones to deliver 1,500 units statewide, while a specialized 50-unit social housing project targeted at indigent women has already reached an advanced stage of completion.

The state government urged real estate executives to standardize building designs, improve transparent operational collaborations, and actively engage institutional financiers to unlock long-term capital at scale. In tandem with sub-national efforts, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development reiterated its commitment to structural reforms aimed at positioning the construction sector as a driver of economic growth. Through the national Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the federal government is advancing property developments across all six geopolitical zones by prioritizing local building materials, overhauling land administration, and expanding mortgage accessibility.

Industry leadership underscored that modern construction technologies and alternative financing structures must be deployed to match the speed of Nigeria’s population growth. Sector experts concluded that sustainable homeownership will remain out of reach for ordinary citizens unless developers abandon fragmented building practices in favor of unified, macro-level structural systems.

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Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has vowed to take decisive action to end the long-running clashes between the people of Biakpan in Biase Local Government Area and their neighbors in Etono 2, warning that the state will no longer tolerate bloodshed over land disputes.

Speaking in Calabar when he received a delegation from the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star led by Patriarch Bassey Imowo, the governor described the crisis as embarrassing and damaging to the image of the state. He warned that where disputes over land persist, government would step in and assume control of the contested areas to forestall further violence. “The issues here are very serious. We have stepped into the Biakpan–Etono communal war. I believe we can settle this issue because we have made it clear to all restive communities that where there is controversy over lands, government will only have to take over such lands. That will avert continual bloodshed,” Otu said.

The governor lamented that the recurring violence had disrupted Biakpan’s role as a major pilgrimage and tourism hub, attracting thousands of visitors annually. He added that arrests had already been made and assured that those found guilty would face the law to serve as a deterrent. “With eminent personalities in both communities, I’m surprised that such barbaric acts have persisted. The persistent violence has been very disturbing because it also hampers tourism, a key revenue source for the state. But I am happy with the efforts and intervention by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu to bring the two communities together,” he added.

He blamed some of the escalation on lapses by officials who failed to act swiftly, noting that such negligence created room for the violence to grow. “My administration will not fold its arms and allow this to continue. We must end it once and for all,” he stressed.

Earlier, Patriarch Imowo praised the governor for his intervention but explained that the conflict had forced his organization to suspend pilgrimage activities in Biakpan, which normally attract thousands of religious tourists, scholars, and researchers. “Regrettably, the recent violent attacks and counter attacks on both communities has posed serious security threats and put on hold all our programmes in Biakpan and environs. There cannot be any form of development amidst such a dangerous situation. The religious tourists scheduled to pay homage to the birthplace of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu have been hampered, and this has slowed down economic benefits for the people,” Imowo said.

He appealed to the governor to prioritize restoring peace, stressing that only a stable atmosphere would encourage religious tourists, especially foreign nationals, to return. “It is when the atmosphere is peaceful that religious tourists will feel safe to resume regular visitations to Biakpan,” he added.

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Otu made the statement during a courtesy visit by members of the Cross River Elders’ Forum and other stakeholders. He announced the deployment of drones for more effective boundary monitoring, with the aim of protecting the state’s territorial integrity.

The governor emphasized his administration’s focus on state security, particularly along the borders, stressing that Cross River would not give up an inch of its land. “We are not surrendering an inch of our land to anyone. Cross Riverians are peaceful and loving people, but our kindness must not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.

Otu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s boundaries while addressing pressing challenges like insecurity and infrastructure development to foster economic growth. He also highlighted plans to resolve herdsmen and farmers’ clashes, which he described as often stemming from avoidable misunderstandings.

The governor voiced concerns over the unchecked exploitation of the state’s natural resources through illegal mining, which he warned posed a threat to the state’s sustainability. He outlined plans for stronger enforcement and regulation in collaboration with security agencies.

Additionally, Otu spoke about ongoing efforts to improve the state’s road networks and infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of basic infrastructure to support the population and unlock the state’s potential. He also reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming what rightfully belongs to Cross River, including its oil wells.

Colonel Pam Ogar (rtd), leader of the Cross River Elders’ Forum and former Military Administrator of Kwara State, praised the governor’s efforts, noting that the meeting served as a follow-up on key issues such as boundary disputes, illegal mining, and herdsmen invasions, particularly in areas like Yakurr and Odukpani.

The Forum urged the government to conduct a comprehensive census of those involved in mining activities to regulate operations and prevent security breaches. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to peace, development, and the future progress of Cross River State.

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