Two persons have reportedly died following construction work along Ataobong bypass axis, Phase IV of the East West road awarded by the federal ministry of works .
It was gathered that rain water was allegedly channelled to houses during the construction work causing buildings to collapse, killing two people while others were rendered homeless.
It was further gathered that one of the houses collapsed during night rainfall and killed Isaac Nkenyie while Anietie Etito also lost her child in the next building within the same vicinity.
Rita Isaac Nkenyie, widow of the deceased told Reporters that since the death of her husband, she had been exposed to hardship and untold suffering including hunger, lack of accommodation and inability to pay school fees for her children.
“Since our house collapsed in the night and killed my husband, I have no place to live with my children.
“We don’t even have food to eat. My husband was the bread winner. I cannot afford school fees for the children. I have withdrawn them from private schools to Government Primary School.
“The worst is that we don’t have food to eat and we are facing hunger daily.”
The affected families led by Daniel Sunday Etukudoh, Monday Edoho, Anietie Henry Edoho Miriam Ekaso, among others sued the Minister of Works, David Umahi and Gitto Construczioni General Nigeria Ltd and Akwa Ibom State Government who contracted the payment of compensation for the project to an Estate Valuer, Iniama and partners.
In a suit with no HEK/ 20/2026, the affected families prayed the court to award the sum of one billion naira as damages and urged the Estate Valuer to pay them compensation which they started to pay and abandoned midway.
The claimant also sought an order of court to compel the defendants to pay N1 billion as general damages for trauma, loss of resources, loss of loved ones and loss of businesses over the years as a result of taking their lands without compensation.
The claimants statement reads in part, “An order compelling the Defendants to pay N1 billion as general damages for trauma, loss of resources, loss of loved ones and loss of businesses over the years as a result of taking of their lands without compensation.
” An order compelling the Defendants to pay all claimants for their land and houses that were earlier valued and marked for compensation and also restraining the Defendants from carrying any form of selective payment of compensation among others.”
However, the Principal/ Managing Partner of Iniama and Associates, James Iniama, while responding in a telephone call by our Reporter said the payments for compensation on the East West road bypass had commenced but was later stopped.
“You know me very well that I do my business honestly. If I am interrogated on this matter, I will say it as it happened without fear or favour.”
Meanwhile, counsel for the plaintiff, Eyibio Okon, said the matter would be pursued to conclusion to ensure that justice prevails for the bereaved families and compensation for the property owners ensured.
“There must be justice to all parties in the case and we are out to ensure there is justice for all.”
The case has been adjourned to 20th October, 2026 for hearing.
Families slam N1bn lawsuit against FG, firm over east west road project after death of two