There is hope underway for the two warring communities of Ikot Udo village in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and Akrika Obu in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State as the deputy governors of the two states have met with the warring communities.
The fragile relationship between the two neighbours deteriorated recently, following the construction of a road by the Abia State Government into the territory of the Akwa Ibom State community.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Press Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor in Uyo and made available to the South South Bureau Chief of The Eagle Online.
The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who led government officials to Ika Local Government Area earlier in the week, urged the warring communities to sheath their swords and embrace peace.
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Dr. Eyakenyi assured that an agreement regarding the construction of the Abiaka-Ikot Udo Road would soon be reached by the governors of both states.
Highlighting the need for permanent peace, the Deputy Governor disclosed that the two states have decided that the road construction work around Ikot Udo be temporarily suspended until a concrete agreement is reached by the governors of Akwa Ibom and Abia States.
She said: “When we heard that there is a crisis brewing here because of the road construction, I and my colleague from Abia State agreed that we should come here today, to first appeal to the two communities, to sheath their swords.
“Let us not resort to violence.
“We have agreed that the construction work should not start from Ikot Udo, the crisis environment.
“Let it start from the Abia State end 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 (the disputing communities) that will take that decision.
“Our leaders, the two governors, will take that decision and we will pass it on to you.”
The Deputy Governor further gave an insight into plans to permanently resolve the boundary clash between the two communities.
Senator Eyakenyi said: “The fact again is that the determination of the boundary crisis lies in the hands of the National Boundary Commission.
“Very soon, they will be here.
“Both parties will bring their facts, and it will be properly looked into.
“A demarcation line will be given and that will bring lasting peace.
“I stand here on behalf of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, to sue for peace, to tell the Ika people and Ukwa East to calm down.
“Let’s not take laws into our hands.”
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said the Abia State Government was open to peace, clarifying that the Abiaka-Ikot Udo Road construction project was not aimed at land grabbing.
Emetu assured that Abia State will cooperate and work with the Akwa Ibom State Government, as well as the National Boundary Commission, for an amicable resolution of the matter.
Earlier, Dr. Sunday Oyomete, who spoke on behalf of the Ikot Udo community, said they were not comfortable with the Abia State Government constructing a road into their community and appealed for a speedy intervention by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Present during the visit were the Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (retd); Commissioner for Internal Security, General Koko Essien (retd); Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Inibehe Etukudo; Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Utibe Nwoko; and his counterpart from Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon. Chibunna Akara.
Others were officials from the Abia State Government, National Boundary Commission, Akwa Ibom State Boundary Committee, security chiefs, clerics, as well as royal fathers.
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