A project that was once hailed as a significant boost to trade and travel between Nigeria and Cameroon has stalled, leaving a motor park construction site along the Nigeria-Cameroon border overgrown with weeds. The Etung Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State had initiated the project in January 2025, clearing the land and preparing for construction. However, five months later, the site has been taken over by bush and reptiles, sparking concerns among motorists, traders, and international travelers.
The international motor park site, situated along the Ikom-Mfum border road, was expected to capitalize on the vibrant trade and travel activities between the state and Cameroon Republic. However, the sudden halt in construction has raised worries among stakeholders. A visit to the site revealed the extent of the neglect, with the once-cleared land now resembling a wilderness.
Mr. Anthony Attah, a farmer from Effraya Road, Etomi, in the Council area, expressed his disappointment over the project’s abandonment. “I had considered the project a laudable one, and had commended the Council chairman, Henry Anom, for the initiative,” he said. “Considering the economic importance of such a park to the LGA, taking advantage of the Cameroon borders, it’s sad to see it has been abandoned.” Attah noted that barely four months after the excavation of the land, the site had become a bush again.
Everlasting Eriom, a businessman and cocoa farmer, also lamented the apparent discontinuation of the project. He believed that the motor park would have eased his tasks and boosted his cocoa sales. Eriom urged the administration of Henry Anom to note that this project was an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the area and generate internal revenue for the Council.
According to John Ogar, the Supervisor for Finance in the Etung LGA, the project has been embroiled in controversy and legal tussles. Ogar explained that the Executive Chairman, Henry Anom, had conceived the initiative to give Etung a unique Motor Park Facility as a border local government. However, the project was halted due to a court injunction, which was issued because the previous administration had given out the parcel of land without proper documentation. As a result, the current administration is unable to proceed with the project without resolving the legal issues.
Ogar stated that the administration is bound to obey the law while exploring measures to resolve the issue. The stalled project has raised concerns about the impact on trade and travel between Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as the potential loss of revenue for the Etung LGA. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the legal tussles, hoping that the project will be revived and completed to its full potential.
