Amazaba/Ikot Akpan Udo Crises: Akwa Ibom Government rekindles hope of restoring calm and return of escapees

The people of Amazaba/Ikot Akpan Udo in Akwa Ibom state would soon return to their ancestral homes as the state government has set up a mechanism to end the protracted boundary crises.

The boundary crises which erupted in 2008 between the Amazaba group of villages in Eastern Obolo and its Ikot Akpan Udo neighbour in the Ikot Abasi council area had claimed lives and properties resulting in the dissertation of the area by the two communities.

Addressing the traditional rulers from the two local government councils, stakeholders, and a cross-section of Commissioners, the state Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, noted that the resolution of the communal conflict was very dear to Governor Udom Emmanuel as he has adopted it as a critical component of his administration’s Completion Agenda.

“Given the high priority status accorded the issue, 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 resettlement programme for the two communities.

“Following the confidence-building meeting by the parties, the stage is now set for you to collaborate with the government in activating the next phase of the restoration process. The phase will involve organizing 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, 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 said.

Ekpo stressed that given the current security situation in the country, it would be suicidal to ask the people to return to their ancestral abode now, noting that such would take effect when adequate security has been put in place, including the establishment of a fully equipped Police Station in the area.

He 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 and achieve much-needed peace.

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, among other high profile individuals.