Mobil relocation: Eket Paramount Ruler, Transition Chairman caution Youths on restiveness

BY ASSAM ABIA

The Paramount Ruler of Eket, HRM Etim Charles Abia and the Local Government Transition Chairman, Hon Frank Archibong has called on youths of Eket and indeed Akwa Ibom State to maintain the prevailing peace for Mobil producing Nigeria unlimited not to see reason to relocate its headquarter to the State.

This advice was given in a well-attended meeting involving village youth presidents in all the 78 village of Eket, student leaders, the youth council chairman, Akwa Ibom Youth caucus Chapter Chairman, Prince Tommy Enodien and members of the Traditional Rulers council, on Saturday in the palace of the Paramount Ruler.

The Royal father frowned at reports in some quarters that some youths were protesting and agitating for Mobil headquarter to be relocated to their domain, describing it as counter-productive.

He cautioned youths of the Eket not to allow themselves to be used against government efforts to develop the area.

“Do not allow yourselves as instrument against development, the State government has good intension for Eket but it can only be possible if you maintain the prevailing peace”, he said, while commending the youth leaders for the synergy between them and the Transition Chairman which has brought about peace in Eket.

He called on them to shun cultism, ganstarism, kidnapping and other social vices, as such recalcitrant attitude only leads to retrogression and self-destruction. 

Also speaking, and Transition Chairman, Hon Frank Archibong said Eket must return to its glory days where white expatriates were seen on the streets of the area having leisure after work.

“But this can only be made possible by the collective determination of all of us by blowing the whistle on kidnappers and armed robbers amongst us including Cultists”, he said.

“We must practice the security principle known as neighborhood watch where everybody, knows everybody and we must ensure that no stranger with suspicious character is allowed to stay among us without falling on detective radar, by so doing, we will ride Eket of unwanted elements and attract investors”, he said further.

The Transition Chairman Commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his personal effort in the quickly rescue of the two expertrates kidnapped recently in Eket, while giving Kudos to the Nigerian Police and other Security agencies for making the State uncomfortable to criminals.

Responding on behalf of the youths, the State Chapter youth caucus Chairman, Prince Tommy Enodien said youths of Eket should be commended for maintaining the Peace and Pledged total support of the youths to the Udom’s administration.

He said a protest letter purportedly written by youths of Ikot Uso Ekong against the sitting of the proposed world Bank assisted resettlement camp for internally displaced persons (IDPS) in Ikot Uso Ekong community was done by faceless people who are not known in Eket.

“We are ready to assist the State and Federal government Policy and Programes that will bring development to Eket”, Enodien said.

“The petitioners of the said letter are enemies of progress and we wish to State very clear that they will not be allowed to stand on the way of development”, he said.

Enodien commended the Paramount Ruler and the Transition Chairman for giving them the encouragement to remain focused and hopeful.