Despite a barrage of oppositions, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Thursday, passed into law the Bill to provide for a Map for the State and other matters connected therewith.
Following the directive of the House for the state Surveyor-General to draw a new map, the bill sparked off a war of words between the people of Eastern Obolo and Ibeno Local Government Areas on one hand and the people of Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA, Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin local government areas on the other hand.
The law, which is cited as the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law 2023, was passed during the plenary and is expected to take effect from April 13, 2023.
This followed a report of the Joint Committee on Lands and Housing, Boundary and Conflict Resolution and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, presented by its Chairman, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam).
According to the report, the Bill sponsored by Hon. David Lawrence (Eket) will help reduce agitations and communal conflicts, enhance and promote development within the mapped-out boundaries.
The report further stated that “The Bill will enhance cultural affinities of the people within the boundaries and make for easy identification and placements. It will also assist in the proper identification and allocation of resources domiciled in the component units.”
The report also recommended that all government White Paper on boundary issues across the state be taken into consideration and implemented without delay.
The Bill was co-sponsored by Sir Udo Kierian Akpan (Oruk Anam), Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan (Etinan), Otuekong Nse Essien (ONNA), Elder Mark Esset (Nsit Atai), Hon. Victor Ekwere (Mkpat Enin), Hon. Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo), Barr. Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium), Obong Godwin Ekpo (Ibiono Ibom) and Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem (Itu).
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, who presided over the Plenary, has directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to transmit clean copies of the Bill to the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for assent.
