Africa-Press – Nigeria. A Non Profit Organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Open Forum, has made a passionate appeal to Governor Umo Eno to wade into the conflict between the Ikot Oku village and Ikot Ikpene village of Oruk Anam local government to forestall a full blown crisis.
It was gathered that the two communities were living in harmony and peace until the recent discovery of crude oil in the local government by the Natural Oilfield Services Limited.
The issues, it was further gathered were about proper evaluation, documentation and payments of compensation to beneficiaries from Ikot Oku Village for lands acquired for the proposed Oil Pipeline by the company in Ikot Oku Village.
The village head of Ikot Oku Village, Eteidung Ediomo Marcus Udoffa and the Secretary, Friday William Udoakpan, in a radio appearance anchored by Open Forum, highlighted the frustration met in their quest for amicable resolution of the proper designation of the host communities of the cart base.
The village head also decried the placement of traditional injunctions on his personal land by unknown persons suspected to be from a neighbouring village as well as alleged forgery of his signature by the valuer his community engaged, who, according to him has not even responded to the termination of services by the Ikot Oku Village Council as communicated to the firm through their Attorney.
The peace deal initiated by the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohamed Baba Azare for the communities has not been complied with.
Reacting to the incident, the president of Open Forum, Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono (MKO) in a statement on Tuesday said, given the sensitivity of the matter, Akwa Ibom State government should wade into it to ensure justice is done to all parties involved and impending crisis averted.
While commending the community leaders and youths of Ikot Oku Village, and indeed, both communities for maintaining peace, the president said, “given the sensitivity of the case, possible threat to peace and break down of law and order in the community if contending issues are not addressed, we hereby call on the Akwa Ibom State Government to wade into the matter to ensure justice is done to all parties involved.”
Okono also called for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (AKIPCACC) to afford citizens, communities and organisations a dedicated state-owned conflict resolution and anti-corruption institution.
He said the continued sole reliance on federal security outfits, public complaints and anti-corruption agencies has put too much pressure on those institutions adding, “It is also not in the best interest of Akwa Ibom State that internal issues are perennially exposed to a national audience and sometimes, global audience.”
Okono maintained that the creation of such a commission would be a credit to the governor and would work in tandem with his gift of the “Ministry of Reconciliation.”
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press
