The people of Ibeno Local
Government Area under the auspices of Mpono Nnitor Ibeno says the land in which
the petrochemical industry is sited belongs to Ibeno and not Eket as claimed by
Okoiyak Landlords in Eket Local Government Area. The group made this known in a
press statement addressed to the Editor of THE INK Newspaper last week.
It avered
in a release signed by Enienwe Ikoedem Ekong, John Cyril Ekang, Daniel Sunday,
Friday Ebong and Ikwo Dan Okon that “For the avoidance of doubt and for the purpose of keeping the records
straight, the land in which the Petrochemical Industry is sited belongs to
Ibeno and not Ekid Nation. From historical facts, the Ibeno people are among
the earliest settlers on the Atlantic Coast where they have remained till
today. Historical facts and colonial documents have unequivocally confirmed
this assession.
It is also on record
that most Eket villages takes their origin from Ibeno even through Eket people
maintain that they found themselves emerging from the ground to exist where
they are now. Ibeno people are primarily fishermen and they have maintained
that industry from the beginning of their life till now”.
In any case it would be preposterous
to join issues with Dr. Obioba. However it is our intention to refer the matter
of this publication to our lawyers since there is a case in the High Court of
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in connection with the so called “Okoiyak” land and all
matters connected therewith are subjudice.
It added also that the Ibeno people
cannot be intimidated when it comes to the issue of protecting their land and
they are absolutely confident in that all traditional and colonial records at
their disposal confirm that the land on which the Petrochemical Industry is
sited belong to them. It noted in parts that, Indeed it is proper to mention
here and now that even the Gas Processing Facility allegedly named after Uquo
in Esit Eket is built on Ibeno Land. As one passes from Uquo to Ibeno the cast
excavation of sharp sand going along the road, shortly after the Gas Processing
Facility is carried out on Ibeno Land.
These show that Ibeno Community has
great control of land along the axis leading to the home-stead of the Esit Eket
community of the Ekid Nationality. The Ibeno people having appreciated the
uncommon transformation of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State reserve their right
at an appropriate time to negotiate for compensation in connection with the land
on which the Gas Processing Facility is sited.
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