…INITIATES DECADES LAND DISPUTES RESOLUTION

Mary Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, has announced government’s commitment to properly demarcate and open up   access roads, the Ikot Itie udung/Ikot Edong in Nsit Atai LGA, Ekpene Ukim roads in Uruan LGA, as well as the Ibiaku Itu udo roads in Ibiono Ibom and Edem Iyere in  Ikono Local Government Areas, within the short time

The Deputy Governor also called for peace,  understanding and cooperation from the indigenes of the affected communities over their age-long boundaries dispute.

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi with the Paramount Rulers of Ibiono Ibom, HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, Nsit Atai, HRM Edidem Peter  Okon Effiong, Uruan, HRM Edidem Cosmos Nkanga and Ikono, HRM Edidem Etim Nnanna Itang

Senator Eyakenyi made the announcement yesterday at the Old Exco Chambers, Government House, Uyo, while meeting with the Paramount Rulers, Village Heads, Council Chairmen and youth leaders from the  affected local government areas to discuss the way forward.

Underscoring the importance of the meeting, she said the parley was necessary to intimate  those involved of government’s readiness to properly demarcate the contended boundaries with economic trees, after opening up the surrounding roads.

Senator Eyakenyi who acknowledged that boundary issues when left unchecked could scatter a community or the entire State, appealed that the affected communities and indigene must as much as they can, be their brother’s keeper.

She maintained that indigenes of the affected areas must always allow their brothers to lean on their shoulders without being stabbed, as the vision of His (Excellency) Gov. Umo Eno on land was founded on peace.

Dr. Eyakenyi reminded those involved of the existence of the contended lands before they were born, and assured that the lands will certainly outlive those struggling for it hence, the need for peace.

She said in all communities, that the Paramount Rulers, Village Heads and youth leaders were the first maintainers of peace whenever a crisis ensued, and that the youth leaders must heed their command whenever the Paramount Rulers reach for peace, stressing that the administration of Pastor Umo Eno could only succeed with their utmost collaboration.

Also Speaking, the State Surveyor-General, Surveyor Emem Isang, said the land dispute which preceded 1976, had parties from the affected communities a few years ago indicating interest in resolving the issue hence, her Office was mandated by the immediate past Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo,  to wade into  it.

She expressed joy over the overwhelming interest and commitment shown by the affected villages towards the land dispute resolution, reminding that the said land remains government property even after being properly demarcated, opened up for accessibility and planted with the conceived economic trees, as nobody or community will be allowed to exceed its boundary.

On her part, the State Solicitor-General, Mfon Edemekong, Esq., Informed the affected parties that they were at the meeting to be reminded that the MOU which they had signed in recent past was documented and was being looked into by government, and government was as well seeking the affected parties cooperation to implement same.

She said the need for peace and peaceful co-existence among the affected communities cannot be over-emphasized, stressing that there cannot be any development in an  atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.

The Uruan Council Chairman, Surveyor Iniobong Ekpenyong and his counterparts from Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Nsikakabasi Ukobot, as well as the Vice Chairman of Nsit Atai, Hon. Ekong Obong, respectively expressed their willingness to abide by the government’s decision.

They thanked Gov. Umo  Eno immensely for wading into the lingering land dispute and promised the cooperation of their subjects.

In their respective responses, the Paramount Rulers of Ibiono Ibom, HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, Nsit Atai, HRM Edidem Peter  Okon Effiong, Uruan, HRM Edidem Cosmos Nkanga and Ikono, HRM Edidem Etim Nnanna Itang expressed concern over the ownership of the economic trees to be planted.

They Monarch expressed  joy and satisfaction over the resolution of the age-long land and boundary dispute by the government and promised to give their outmost supports.

Security Chiefs from the affected local government areas and the youth leaders from the villages involved were equally not left out in the peace accord as they pledged to key in accordingly, thanking the State government for a job well done.