Apparently disturbed by the destruction of lives and property as a result of the perennial communal clash between Enwang community and Ukonteghe Uda village in Mbo Local Government Area, the Akwa Ibom State Government has vowed to take over the disputed farmland.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, who disclosed this at the peace parleys in Ukonteghe Uda and Enwang respectively on Thursday, said the take over of the land had become necessary to prevent further loss of lives in the area as government can’t fold its hands and continue to watch things spiral out of control.
Dr Ekuwem, himself an indigene of Mbo said that the decision is the only and best option to end the age-long rift between the two communities.
According to him, government will either use the disputed land for “a large plantation or industry or factory” that will benefit both Enwang and Ukonteghe.
“The land is going to be taken over by the government for a large plantation or industry or factory that belongs to Akwa Ibom State Government.
Related: Mbo Paramount Ruler Wades Into Enwang, Ukonteghe Uda Crisis
“The constitution provides that every land is vested in the state government; so the state government is taking over the land in order to ensure peace,” the SSG stated.
The secretary to state government urged the warring parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace for the overall development of Mbo in particular and the state in general.
Describing Governor Udom Emmanuel as a man of peace, the SSG warned that henceforth anyone caught again entering another person’s village with intention to kill, maim and destroy, the full weight of the law would be meted out on such person.
He reminded them that no meaningful development can take place in a crisis ridden area.
“Money is a coward because it doesn’t go to where there’s violence. No rich man would go to invest his money where there is violence. Once he knows that there is violence he will run. This land you people are fighting for is part of Ibom Industrial City.
“To kill is not good. To maim is not good. To injure is not good. So, no more fight, no more maiming and killing. Go back to status quo ante. Let there be peace and calm. Let peace return. When peace and calm return we’ll sit down as brothers and sisters to discuss and make peace. It’s better to jaw jaw than to war war,” he advised.
It would be recalled that Enwang and Ukonteghe Uda have been in a tussle over the ownership of the parcel of land for years now.
Many people from both communities have died and some maimed, while houses and other properties have also been destroyed as a result of the crisis.
