Leaders and stakeholders of the oil-bearing coastal community of Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State have appealed to Governor Umo Eno to forestall further skirmishes over the disputed Stubb Creek forest being claimed by the neihbouring Ekid ethnic nationality.
It was gathered that the disputed area had been seized and renamed Akoiyak Eket by the people of Ekid, arguing that the coastal shrubs belonged to them.
Under the umbrella socio-cultural group – Ekid People’s Union (EPU), led by the president-general (PG), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, has alleged the long line of the afforestated area stretching into other LGAs remains their ancestral land, threatening action if the governor fails to intervene in their favour.
The state government has issued titles to BUA Petrochemical and other allied companies to build refineries and other projects, but the EPU warned of drastic consequences if the governor fails to revoke such allocations.
Responding, the leaders, elders and stakeholders of Ibeno, maintained that “the Stub Creek forest, is the ancestral land of the Ibeno people, stretching along the Atlantic coastline, and hosting critical national assets such as the Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), BUA Refinery, and other multi-billion-dollar oil and gas infrastructures.”
In a communique at the end of their emergency meeting held at Ulok Ulok hall in Upenekang, headquarters of Ibeno LGA on Sunday, the spokesman of the apex socio-cultural organisation- Ulok Ulok Progressives Assembly (UUPA), Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, warned that “no such place as Akoiyak Ekid exists on the official map of Akwa Ibom State,” describing the EPU’s invention of the name as “a fraudulent geography and a shameless attempt at land grabbing.”
“Let it be stated clearly that there has never been any case of land racketeering in Stub Creek. If there are concerns, the Ibeno stakeholders and the people are fully capable of addressing them. We do not need outsiders or busybodies from EPU meddling in Ibeno affairs,” the communque signed by the Ibeno leaders stated.
The group accused EPU of constantly seeking to extend their restive and provocative tendencies to Ibeno, warning that “such antics would be resisted vehemently and fiercely.”
“EPU should focus on their home front where their recklessness has collapsed every viable investment from the Qua River Hotel to Qua Steel Company, from Dr Pepper Bottling Company to Mobil Pegasus Football Club.
“Today, Eket lies prostrate with nothing working because of their recalcitrant behaviour, and now they want to export that failure to Ibeno. We will not allow it,” the group stated.
“Instead of supporting the governor’s effort to rebuild Eket, revive the Qua River Hotel, the Chinese Market, and other abandoned projects, they are busy manufacturing fake history, issuing threats, and fanning the embers of disunity. EPU is deliberately creating an unhealthy environment for investment in Akwa Ibom. This is the height of irresponsibility and must be stopped”.
The group further urged Governor Umo Eno to totally disregard EPU’s antics and baseless claims, describing them as the work of “restive opportunists seeking relevance.”
“Ownership of Stub Creek is not in contention with anybody or any group. The only people manufacturing a crisis out of nothing are EPU and their cohorts, who are notorious for chaos and land disputes.
“We have fought and won many battles and wars for our existence. Our silence in the face of provocations must not be mistaken for cowardice. If pushed to the wall, the centre will not hold. We will defend our sovereignty as a people with the last drop of our blood. EPU should be warned: they can not intimidate or threaten Ibeno on Ibeno land.
“Ibeno being a peace-loving people, we will not surrender one inch of our land to usurpers. Stub Creek is Ibeno yesterday, today, and forever. EPU should mind their business and stop dancing naked in the market square of public shame,” the communque stressed.
