Ikot Ebak/Enen Atai Communal Crisis: AKHA Steps In

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has waded into the communal crisis between Ikot Ebak village in Mkpat Enin LGA and Enen Atai village in Oruk Anam LGA.

This was a matter of Urgent Public Importance brought to the floor of the House by Hon. Victor Ekwere of Mkpat Enin State Constituency during Tuesday plenary.

According to the mover of the motion, “lives and properties in the villages involved in the land dispute are exposed to danger. People are not safe as there is serious tension in the land.”

“Recently, commuters travelling to Ikot Abasi LGA were asked to suspend their journey for hours because of the fight in a section of the road leading to Ikot Abasi LGA.”

He went ahead to explain how the crisis has degenerated to robbery, kidnapping by miscreants who take advantage of the situation.

The Mkpat Enin representative, urged the House to direct security agencies to move into matter and restore peace to Ikot Ebak and the neighbouring village.

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The Member representing Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko moved for the matter to be received by the House and was seconded by Hon. Mfon Idung of Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency.

Meanwhile, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, who presided over the plenary session, referred the matter to the House Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution to report back to the House within one month.

Also during Tuesday plenary, Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Denis of Etinan State Constituency moved a motion calling on the State Government to be proactive as cholera has broken out in 23 states of the Federation.

The motion entitled ‘As Cholera Hits 23 States: Need to take Precautionary Measures in Akwa Ibom State,’ had legislators speaking in support of it.

In his contribution, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset of Nsit Atai State Constituency thanked Etinan member for the proactive information so that the state will not be caught unawares by the outbreak of the disease.

Esset added that there is need to prepare and put up proactive measures to tackle the situation before the disease hits the state.

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Also speaking, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob of Nsit Ubium State Constituency, commended the member of Etinan State Constituency for the motion and noted that a stitch in time saves nine.

Bob added that there is need for relevant agencies of public health to swing into action so that the outbreak does not take the state unawares.

Also contributing, the Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong said the need for precautionary measures can not be underestimated as neighboring states have been affected.

The motion prays that; “The House should direct the Ministries of Health, Environment, Information and Strategy as well as Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, (EARCOM) to as a matter of urgency, embark on rigorous sensitization campaigns on the need for good hygiene and routine sanitation.

“Urge Akwa Ibom State Environment Protection and Waste Management Agency and the Ministry of Environment to redouble effort in evacuating waste and keeping our state clean and green to forestall the outbreak in the state.

“Implore the Ministry of Land and Water Resources and other relevant Ministries and Agencies to intensify effort towards making safe drinking water available for Akwa Ibom people.

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The House upheld the prayers contained in the motion and urged the Clerk, Mrs Mandu Umoren to communicate the resolution to relevant agencies of the state good
overnment.

Also, during plenary, a motion for Urgent need to decongest Ikot Ekpene/Ikpa Road Roundabout and other Locations in Uyo Metropolis sponsored by Hon. Victor Ekwere was committed to the House Committee on Works and Transport for in depth study and to report back to the House within one month.

As part of the House Order of the Day, House of Assembly Bill 266 entitled ‘Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics Bill, 2021,’ Sponsored by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Nyong Uko passed through second reading after its first reading on February 9, 2021.

Contributing to the Bill, the Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian said he supports the spirit and letters of the bill as there is need to have a data base for MDAs for an effective information storage system in the state.

Also the Ukanafun representative, Hon. Charity Ido said due to the importance of statistics in the corporate accounting system, the Bill will help in discovering loopholes in governance and will guide in decision making. She also said it will aid to build the state’s confidence in public governance.

In his contribution, the Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo member, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh said his support for the bill is because it exist in majority of the states in the federation.

The Bill was thereafter committed to the House Committee on Economic Planning and Development to report back to the House within one month.

Meanwhile, the House has been adjourned to Thursday, September 9, 2021 by 10:00am prompt.