The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN, has fenced off an access road opened by the Cross River State government through its premises in Calabar, accusing the government of failing to honour an agreement on the use of its property.
The road, which runs 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.
The church said its decision to block the road followed repeated delays by the state government in signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to regulate the temporary use of the property.
The dispute reportedly followed a request by the state government after a devastating landslide damaged Anansa Road, cutting off an important route used by residents and business operators.
According to a church official, the government approached the PCN to provide an alternative access route to enable residents to continue their economic activities while efforts were made to address the damage.
The church agreed to the request on the understanding that the government would formally document the arrangement and endorse agreed conditions before opening the road.
However, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the government opened the road barely two days after discussions without obtaining written approval from the church.
"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," he said.
The official also accused government representatives of treating the church's cooperation with disregard, alleging that the church suffered additional inconveniences, including the demolition of its Synod Office.
He said the Synod Moderator had consequently directed the immediate closure of the road until the government signed the MoU and fulfilled the agreed conditions.
Confirming the action, the church's Office Manager in Calabar, Rev. Anam Bassey, said the PCN had erected a perimeter fence across the access road and blocked another passage.
But the state government said it was unaware of the latest development.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, said the matter could be resolved through direct engagement between the church leadership and Governor Bassey Otu.
"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 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.
Cross River govt, Presbyterian Church clash over access road