Akwa Ibom, Abia govts intervene in Ikot Udo-Akrika Obu boundary dispute

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

The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Senator Dr Akon Eyakenyi, who led government officials to Ika Local Government Area on Monday, urged the disputing communities to embrace peace, assuring that an agreement regarding the construction of the Abiaka-Ikot Udo road, will soon be reached by the Governors of both States.

To forestall further breakdown of law and order, Eyakenyi who was accompanied by her Abia State counterpart, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, disclosed that both states have decided that the road construction work around Ikot Udo be temporarily suspended, until a concrete agreement is reached by the Governors of the two states.

“When we heard that there is 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 shield 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 State 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 (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”, she explained.

“The fact again is that the determination of the boundary, this conflict area, 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 and to tell Ika people and Ukwa East, to calm down. Let’s not take laws into our hands”, Senator Eyakenyi pleaded.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said that 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 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.

Also in the entourage of the deputy governor during the visit were: the Commissioner for Lands, Capt. Iniobong Ekong (Rtd); Commissioner for Internal Security, Gen. Koko Essien (Rtd); Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Etukudo; Chairman of Ika Local Government Council, Hon. Barr. Utibe Nwoko and his counterpart from Ukwa East, Hon. Chibunna Akara among others.

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