Boundary Dispute: Abia,The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Sen (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, has disclosed that the National Boundary Commission (NBC)had since done demarcation on the lingering boundary issues between Akwa Ibom and Abia States, and sent in the map for the governor to verify.
Dr. Eyakenyi, also said that they have interacted with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and agreed that they need peace to thrive.
The Sen stated that they have held several meetings with communities having boundary issues and invited all the Paramount Rulers, Village Heads and Youths Leaders to embrace peace.
The Deputy Governor and Chairperson of the State Boundary Committee made the disclosure on Monday, when she received the leadership and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution, at Government House, Uyo.
She restated Governmment’s commitment to the sustenance of peace in the state, through timely intervention on boundary and communal crises.
“We stressed the fact that the current administration of Pastor Umo Eno, will sustain the peace we have enjoyed in the state, because without a peaceful environment, development cannot thrive,” the Chairperson said.
“The ARISE Agenda of Pastor Eno is people-oriented and its primary concern is to ensure development gets to the grassroots,” she continued.
“We will develop the city centre too, but we don’t need to concentrate on the cities alone. So we must be all ears across the 31 Local Government Areas.”
“Whenever you hear boundary issues brewing, please get me informed on time and we will do our best to ensure that we intervene immediately and to the best of our ability, to ensure that we have sustained peace,” she said.
On the other hand she said modalities to end boundary crises between Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states were at an advanced stage.
She said the State Boundary Committee, Surveyor General and relevant stakeholders, including Local Government Chairmen were present and also identified the areas that were not correct.”
Sen Eyakenyi, maintained that the State Boundary Committee will not relent efforts in its bid to ensure enduring peace between Akwa Ibom and sister states.
“The documents had since been forwarded to the Governor and we are waiting for feedback from the National Boundary Commission before we proceed for the final landmark to be done, so we can have peace,” Eyakenyi said.
Clearly buoyed by the Committee’s proactiveness Dr. Eyakenyi pledged to partner with the House Committee for enhanced productivity saying the community of Ikpanya Clan, Ibiono Ibom LGA will be accorded priority in the rural development programmes of the state government, especially, road construction.
On the security crises in Ntak Ikot Akpan, Essien Udim LGA south south Nigeria, occasioned by the Nigerian Airforce’s air strike, she directed that the affected communities be enlisted in the next batch of relief materials to be distributed in the state.
She promised that all security, health and education needs of the communities will be addressed in collaboration with the Ministries of Internal Security, Health and Education, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
The Media Unit,Office of the Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State reports that the Chairman of the Committee and leader of the delegation, Hon. Precious Selong, called on the state government to evolve viable options that will bring a lasting solution to the persistent communal clashes.
While recommending the provision of relief materials to the air strike victims in Ntak Ikot Akpan, Essien Udim LGA to ameliorate their pains, she also called on the state government to, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, address issues of Clan Headship tussle in Ikpanya Clan, Ibiono Ibom LGA to prevent further disputes.
The Lawmaker particularly called for formation of a Special Joint Task Force, made up of personnel of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for regular patrol of the affected communities.
