A’Ibom govt. wades into Ika, Ukwa boundary dispute

The Akwa Ibom Government has waded into the boundary dispute between Ikot Udo village in Ika Local Government Area of the state and Akrika Obu, in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia.

The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, who led government officials to Ika on Tuesday, urged the disputing communities to embrace peace.

Eyakenyi assured that an agreement regarding construction of the Abiaka-Ikot Udo road would soon be reached by governors of both states.

The deputy governor was joined by her Abia counterpart, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu.

She said that both states had decided that the road construction around Ikot Udo be temporarily suspended until a concrete agreement is reached by governors of Akwa Ibom and Abia.

“When we heard that there is crisis brewing here because of the road construction, my colleague and I agreed that we should come here today, to first appeal to the two communities to sheathe their swords.

“Let us not take to violence. We have agreed that the construction work should not start from Ikot Udo, the crisis environment.

“Let it start from the Abia side, before it gets to Ikot Udo, the two governors would have spoken and reached an agreement that will bring permanent peace.

“It is not you that will take that decision. Our leaders, the two governors will take that decision and we will pass it on to you,” Eyakenyi said.

Eyakenyi said the determination of the boundary remained in the hands of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

She said that very soon, the commission would properly look into the facts from both sides and a demarcation line would be given for lasting peace.

“I stand here on behalf of Gov. Umo Eno, to sue for peace. To tell Ika people and Ukwa East to calm down. Let’s not take laws into our hands,” she said.

On his part, the Abia deputy governor said that its government is open to peace, clarifying that the Abiaka-Ikot Udo road construction project was not aimed at land grabbing.

Emetu assured that Abia will cooperate and work with the Akwa Ibom government, as well as the NBC for an amicable resolution of the matter.

Earlier, Dr Sunday Oyomete, who spoke on behalf of Ikot Udo Community, said they were not comfortable with the Abia government constructing a road into their community.

He appealed for a speedy intervention by the Akwa Ibom government to resolve the dispute.