Ikot Udo Enang community appeals to Gov. Udom, lawmakers to intervene in infrastructure

Indigenes of Ikot Udo Enang in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have cried to Governor Emmanuel Udom and members representing Ikono/Ini in the National and State assemblies to save the community from further under-development.

Concerned leaders of the community, aside decrying the total neglect of the community in the scheme of things, appealed to government and Traditional Rulers Council to initiate the process of installing a new monarch for the community.

Eldest person and the Chairman of Ikot Udo community, Mr Peter Udofia Aban Iweh and Edidem, Obong, Kufre Udofia Aban Iweh, both from the royal family of Aban Iweh Asikpa-Ibom, made the appeal on behalf of the community.

Speaking to our correspondent, Udofia Aban Iweh, who’s a heir-apparent, lamented the parlous state of the community, following several years of neglect by successive governments in the state.

“Ikot Udo Enang village is in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. From time immemorial, this community has been backward in terms of infrastructural development – no motorable roads, no water, no electricity, no schools, no health care centres, no access to mobile telephone network.

“The community is only recognised during election periods with a polling unit,” he lamented.

The heir-apparent also decried the interregnum and its consequences, after the demise of the last traditional ruler, describing the stalemate as worrisome and retrogressive to the growth of the community.

“After the death of the village head, the community has lacked a head. All the activities in the community are left in the hands of nobody. It’s a seeming lawless zone.

“Cost of living here is now high. The mainstay of folks here is farming. Since the community lacks a head, no community election could be carried out for fear of attacks, although it’s a relatively peaceful area,” he lamented.

He, therefore, appealed to Governor Udom and members representing Ikono/Ini in the National and State assemblies to intervene by bringing urgent development to the community.

He also called on the Traditional Ruling Council to delegate a Chief Priest, in line with the custom and tradition of the people, to assess the ancestral choice of a king-designate from late Chief Aban Iweh ancestry to ascend the throne in order to restore the time-honoured leadership of the people to engender development.