The Administrative Panel of Enquiry on the Uyo Mechanic Village Crisis has stated that the conflict of 30th September 2022 which led to its temporary closure was not instigated by any form of ethnicity.
The chairman of the Panel, Barr. Victor Akpan made the statement while addressing Media practitioners after the end of the Panel’s public hearing on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
In his words, “During the public hearing, We have taken a total of 14 witnesses, cutting across all interest groups and from our investigations, the Mechanic Village crisis on 30th September was not caused by any form of ethnicity.
“The Panel also carried out inspections on the site when the facility was shot down to make its findings.
“We discovered that the fight did not take place at the Mechanic Village nor did it take place at the dump site. The fight occurred on the roadside and the scuffle was between two small boys who are between 22 years and 24 years.”
Fielding questions on the reasons for the closure of the Mechanic Village facility, Barr Akpan said the vicinity was shut down” to save lives and protect the properties of the people in the mechanic village as well as guard against hoodlums taking advantage of looting and vandalizing properties.”
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Barr Victor Akpan said the panel also discovered that vehicles were destroyed during the chaotic situation and photographs were taken as evidence, noting that the reported number of cars damaged was quite higher than what the Panel recorded during its on-the-spot assessment and would rely only on its findings.
The Chairman said other observations and the Panel’s recommendations will be submitted to the Executive Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr Uwemedimo Udo.
“We have had a very useful public hearing and we will get our report ready soon and submit it to the Chairman of Uyo Local Government. Thereafter the Council will make its position on the matter known.”
Earlier in the public hearing, the Chairman of the scrap dealers under the auspices of Axe and Mallet Association, Mechanic Village, Uyo, Mr Okeke Charles Uchenna also appeared before the panel to give his testimony.
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Mr Uchenna said he was on ground when the crisis started and he reported the situation to the village head of Afaha Offot, shortly afterwards, the Police and other security agencies arrived at the scene to calm down the situation.
He said the association is registered under Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC and there are about 60 members in the union, noting that the members remit their levies to the village, youths and the state government on their daily transactions.
He however disclaimed the suspected assailant, Nwankwo Samuel Ugochukwu of being a member of his Union, explaining that due to his gross misconduct, he left the association to be on his own.
Uchenna also debunked allegations of his members being involved in the Uyo Mechanic Crisis, blocking gutters in the vicinity, having guns or selling hard drugs and hoisting of flags in their dump site to show the authority of their possession of the land. He said members of the Union are peaceful and have a cordial relationship with the village council and the indigenes of Afaha Offot.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry has expressed appreciation to the various persons and bodies in the mechanic village for responding to the Panel’s invitation throughout the public sitting.
He emphasized the need for fruitful synergy between the leadership of the Mechanic Village Union and that of the Axe and Mallet Association for mutual understanding and co-existence.
While thanking members of the Panel for their dedication and sacrifice, he also expressed gratitude to the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for the interest shown in the peace and welfare of people and the Local Government Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo for finding them fit to serve in the committee towards the resolution of the Uyo Mechanic Crisis.
The three-day Public Hearing held by the Administrative Panel of Enquiry at the council hall of Uyo LGA started on Monday, October 10, 2022, and ended on Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
