Boundary crisis: A’Ibom govt/NEMA donate relief materials to 671 families

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Government in conjunction with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have donated relief materials to 761 families of Oku Iboku, who were victims of boundary crisis involving the community and Ikot Offiong community in Cross River State.

Speaking during the donation to the victims in Itu on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, called on the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to do everything within the limits of its statutory powers to ensure the quick resolution to the Cross River/Akwa Ibom boundary crisis.

Our Correspondent recalls that sometimes in May, residents of Oku Iboku, Itu Local Government Area were displaced by violent invasion by their Cross River neighbours.

Ekpo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mr Nkopuruk Ekaiko, said that given the huge losses sustained in human lives and property, including loss of jobs and houses, it has become imperative that no effort should be spared in bringing the border crisis to an end.

The deputy governor commended the National Emergency Management Agency for always responding to the plight of the state in critical times of need.

He expressed the sympathy of the Akwa Ibom government to the victims of the attack, explaining that the items were not intended to replace the lives and property lost during the attack, but rather to ameliorate the pains of their losses.

“The distribution of the relief materials is very symbolic as it represents a conscious effort by both the State and Federal Governments to empathize with the people in their moment of grief and to give them a hope and a sense of belonging,” Ekpo said.

Ekpo urged the residents of the area to remain peaceful with their neighbours and eschew the temptation to take the laws into their hands through reprisal attacks.

The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, who was represented by Mr Godwin Tepikor, South South Zonal Coordinator said the agency had carried out post impact assessment of the area in May and obtained approval for relief materials to help the victims recover from the impact of the attack.

The Itu Local Government Chairman, Mr Etetim Onuk, thanked the State and Federal Governments and their relevant agencies for the relief materials, stressing that it has brought joy to the entire people of the area.

Onuk described the federal and state governments action as being responsible and responsive to the plight of its citizens.

He used the occasion to commiserate with families who lost their loved ones and valued property during the attack and prayed for a speedy resolution to the border crisis in order to enable the people live in peace.

The Clan Head of Oku Iboku, Etebom Essien Edet Okokon, thanked the federal and state governments for coming to the rescue of the victims.

Okokon called on national boundary commission to expedite action to the demarcation of the area for lasting peace. Our Correspondent reports that highpoint was the donation of relief materials which included rice, beans, vegetable oil, tomatoes, garri, Maggi, bathing soap, mosquito nets and mattresses.