By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) has blocked an access road forcibly opened by the Cross River State Government through its premises in Calabar, citing the government’s failure to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the church.
The road, which passes through the premises of Hope Waddell Training Institution, one of the oldest secondary schools in southern Nigeria, provides access to the shoreline and Anansa community in Calabar Municipality.
The church reportedly closed the road a few days ago after accusing the state government of failing to fulfil its commitment to formalise an agreement on the temporary use of its property.
The state government had approached the church following a devastating landslide that affected Anansa Road, seeking permission to open an alternative route to enable residents and members of the public to continue their economic activities in the area.
The PCN reportedly agreed to the request in the interest of the public, expecting the government to formalise the arrangement through an MoU specifying the terms and conditions of the temporary access.
However, a church official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the government opened the road barely two days after discussions, without obtaining the church’s formal approval or signing any agreement.
“While the church was waiting for the documentation, it was surprising that the state government, two days after the discussion, without any approval or written agreement, opened up the road.
“Yet, we kept calling on the government for the MoU to be signed, but the government never showed up despite several meetings agreed upon,” the official said.
The official further alleged that the church’s goodwill had been abused, citing what he described as the demolition of its Synod Office and other inconveniences arising from the government’s actions.
He said the Synod Moderator subsequently directed the immediate closure of the road after efforts to secure a formal agreement proved unsuccessful.
“In view of the abuse of the church’s magnanimity and arrogant treatment from the representative of the state government, and whereas we have exhausted all efforts to cause them to enter into an agreement with us, the Synod Moderator has ordered the immediate closure of the said road until the agreement is formally signed and agreed conditions met,” he said.
Confirming the development, the PCN Office Manager in Calabar, Rev. Anam Bassey, said the church had erected a perimeter fence across the access road and blocked another passage to prevent further access.
Reacting, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said he was not aware of the latest development but expressed confidence that the matter could be resolved.
“I am not even aware of this issue, maybe it is due to those handling the matter. I am sure the Prelate has direct access to the Governor, and the church could leverage on that to sort things out.
“The governor, who is my boss, is not an unreasonable person. He has a lot of regard for the body of Christ,” Cobham said.
