July 28, (THEWILL) – Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration in Akwa Ibom State has pledged her resolve to end a 14-year-old boundary dispute between the Amazaba group of villages in Eastern Obolo local government and Ikot Akpan Udo, in Ikot Abasi local government areas of the state before the end of his administration.
THEWILL recalls that the communal crisis, which erupted in 2008, had resulted in wanton destruction of lives, properties and the displacement of the two communities.
The State deputy governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, stated this on Wednesday while addressing traditional rulers of the two communities, Local Government Chairmen and a cross-section of government functionaries.
Ekpo said the peaceful resolution of the crisis is very dear to the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration, as it has been elevated to a critical aspect of the administration’s completion agenda, adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the displaced people return to their ancestral land.
According to him, the state government had issued a White Paper and set up a White Paper Implementation committee, made up of Commissioners in relevant project ministries to anchor the restoration of lasting peace, as well as a resettlement program for the two communities.
“The stage is now set for the communities to collaborate with the government in activating the next phase of the restoration process.
“The phase will involve organising a joint religious solemn Assembly service as a platform to deepen social integration among the people, while committees on Health, Education, Security, Local Government, etc, will be formed by the communities to partner with the inter-ministerial committee in the development of schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure in the affected areas”, he stated.
Ekpo stressed that given the current security situation in the country, it would be suicidal to direct the people to return to their affected area now, until adequate security is guaranteed, including the establishment of a fully equipped Police Station in the area.
He, therefore, called on the two communities to continue to maintain the peace and abide by their recent commitment to peace-building, assuring that the Udom Emmanuel administration was fully committed to ensuring their safe return to the area when the current process is completed.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom, SAN, who is the Sub-committee Chairman for the Inter-ministerial Committee, described the meeting as a huge success, as it further reinforced the belief that the two communities were really interested and wholeheartedly committed to peace.
He, therefore, urged the communities to fully cooperate with the committee’s work in order to fast-track the process of reintegration and achieve the much-needed success.
At the meeting, the two Paramount Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Village Heads and other relevant stakeholders, pledged their preparedness to cooperate with the committee to ensure the successful implementation of the government White Paper.
The meeting was attended by the Local Government Chairmen of Ikot Abasi, Mr Joshua Afia, Eastern Obolo, Mr Abraham Odion, the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom and his Eastern Obolo counterpart, Ubon Harry Etetor, amongst others.
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