A’Ibom govt assures warring communities of truce

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Government says the end is in sight for the prolonged Amazaba/Ikot Akpan Udo boundary crisis after 14 years.

The boundary crisis erupted sometime in 2008 between the Amazaba group of villages in Eastern Obolo Local Government and its Ikot Akpan Udo neighbour in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.

The crisis, which led to the wanton destruction of lives and property for years further culminated in the two communities fleeing the areas for safety.

The Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, while addressing traditional rulers of the two communities, Local Government Chairmen and a cross-section of Commissioners during a reconciliation meeting in Government House in Uyo on Wednesday said the government was committed to resolving the crisis.

Ekpo, who is the Chairman, State Boundary Commission said that the resolution of the communal conflict was very dear to Gov Udom Emmanuel, as he had elevated it to a critical aspect of his administration’s Completion Agenda.

He said the state government had issued a White Paper and also 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 programme for the two communities.

He said that with the confidence-building meeting by the parties, the stage was now set for them to collaborate with the government in activating the next phase of the restoration process.

He called on the two communities to cooperate and do something that will build confidence in both sides for lasting peace.

The deputy governor said that 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.

“The present Government is keen to ensure all issues concerning all warring communities are resolved before the end of this administration. The Government White Paper made provision for the establishment of the police station for security.

“Renovate all schools and healthcare centres that were destroyed during the crisis, and create skills acquisition centres to retrain people who had lost the means of livelihood during the conflict.

“The confidence-building 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, and Local Government set up to execute the projects.

“The stakeholders meeting is to build confidence that there will be enduring peace for government to go and rehabilitate the damaged facilities,” Ekpo said.

Ekpo called on the two communities to continue to maintain the peace and abide by their recent commitment to peace-building.

He assured the two communities that the present administration was fully committed to ensuring their safe return to the area when the current process is completed.

Earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom, 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.

Udom urged the communities to fully cooperate with the committee’s work in order to fast-track the process and achieve much-needed success.

Our Correspondent reports 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, Chief Ubon Harry Etetor, amongst others.