Monarch condemns attempt to scare investors from Akwa Ibom
The ownership tussle over Stubbs Creek has prompted the paramount ruler of Esit Eket local government council in Akwa Ibom, HRM. Edidem Ubong Peter Assam II, condemn the action, noting that, it could lead to scaring investors from the area and the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Royal father and made available to journalists in Uyo the state capital yesterday.
According to the statement, the claims and counter-claims over the ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve a.k.a Akoiyak Ekid, were worrisome, adding that, it was posing a serious threat to BUA Group of Companies and the envisaged BUA Refinery earmarked for the forest reserve.
Assam expressed displeasure over the brewing tension and dissociated himself and the peace-loving Esit Eket people from efforts to discourage investors from the area.
The monarch categorically declared that “the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid) belongs to Ekid people of Esit Eket and Eket local government areas.
Assam said that his local government council and its law-abiding citizens, “reject acts capable of thwarting the smooth takeoff of the envisaged refinery located at the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid).
The statement further read: “The paramount ruler and his good citizens of Esit Eket local government area are favourably disposed to BUA Group of Companies establishing its BUA Refinery at the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid)”.
He stressed that the entire people of Ekid nation are in support of the industrialization drive of the state governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel, expressing the hope that the governor was committed to satisfying all citizens and Ekid nation, the owner of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
The monarch who said that Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve belonged aboriginally to Ekid people of Esit Eket and Eket Local Government Areas, warned all subjects and interested party or parties to desist forthwith from stoking the ember of a dispute as far as the Forest Reserve was concerned.
Assam appreciated Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for his unwavering commitment to the industrial development of Esit Eket Local Government Area and the entire Akwa Ibom State.
It would be recalled that recently some parties made claims and counter-claims over the ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve warranting this terse clarification by the paramount ruler of Esit Eket who doubles as the Clan Head of Ekid Afaha and Village Head of Ine Akpautong, a contiguous community to the Ibom Industrial City layout.
