Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.
The Akwa Ibom state government has begun the process of resolving the state’s simmering intercommunal land dispute between the communities of Amazaba in Eastern Obolo council and Ikot Akpan Udo in Ikot Abasi council.
The boundary crises that erupted between the two communities in 2008 resulted in the willful destruction of property, leading to the two communities fleeing the areas and abandoning their homes.
Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo stated that the state government was poised to resolve the communal conflict, which he noted was “very dear to Governor Udom Emmanuel, as he had elevated it to a critical aspect of his administration’s Completion Agenda,” while addressing traditional rulers of the two communities, Local Government Chairmen, and a cross section of Commissioners.
The state government, he claims, issued a White Paper and formed a White Paper Implementation Committee comprised of Commissioners from relevant project ministries to anchor the restoration of long-term peace and a resettlement program for the two communities.
Following the parties’ confidence-building meeting, the Deputy Governor stated that the stage is now set for them to collaborate with the government to initiate the next phase of the restoration process.
According to Ekpo, the phase will include the organization of a joint religious solemn assembly service as a platform to deepen social integration among the people, as well as communities forming committees on health, education, security, and local government, among others, to collaborate with the inter-ministerial committee in the development of schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure in the affected areas.
He stressed that, given the country’s current security situation, directing people to return to their affected areas would be suicidal until adequate security, including the establishment of a fully equipped Police Station, is ensured.
As a result, Ekpo urged the two communities to maintain the peace and honor their recent commitment to peace-building, assuring them that the Udom Emmanuel administration was fully committed to ensuring their safe return to the area once the current process concluded.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, who is also the Sub-committee Chairman for the inter-ministerial committee, described the meeting as a huge success, as it reinforced the belief that the two communities were truly interested in and committed to peace.
As a result, he urged the communities to fully support the efforts of the committee in order to speed up the process and achieve much-needed success.
At the meeting, the two kings, local government chairmen, village heads, and other stakeholders pledged to work with the committee to ensure the White Paper’s successful implementation.
The meeting was attended by the Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo Local Government Chairmen, Mr. Joshua Afia and Mr. Abraham Odion, as well as the Ikot Abasi Paramount Ruler, Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom, and his Eastern Obolo counterpart, Ubon Harry Etetor.
