True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice ― Martin Luther King, Jr.
The recent claim by Eastern Obolo stakeholders over what they perceived as attempt to cede some oil wells to three local government areas in Akwa Ibom State poignantly attracted the concern of many.
Addressing newsmen on the matter recently, Dr Amah William, the Secretary-General of IILIMA, socio-cultural organisation working for the promotion of ideals and welfare of Eastern Obolo people in Akwa Ibom state, raised alarm on purported plan by the state government to cede 17l communities with more than 56 oil wells to Onna, Ikot Abasi and Mkpat Enin Local Government Areas.
To say the least, the weighty allegation is disturbing such that the government and people of good conscience must not give it a kid-glove treatment. Whether the complaint is genuine or not, government must of necessity not allow the allegation to be swept under the carpet.
Straightnews is totally espoused to unraveling the claim because injustice to one is injustice to all. We will be glad if such a sensitive matter is given ears to bring about the continued peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship among the affected people.
Since the matter is lying in the hallowed chambers of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, we cannot adjudicate on the matter nor engage in scapegoatism.
However, anyone going for equity must go with clean hands. Our Eastern Obolo brethren deserve fair hearing and justice provided they have neither encroached nor trespassed on the land of their neighbours under any guise of expansionist mission.
The Obolos deserve justice provided their neighbours have not dragged them before any court of competent jurisdiction for adjudication over any disputed land not owned by them. They deserve justice if any court has given judgment and they have not disobeyed. Where they might have infringed on laws bordering on natural justice and good conscience, then they do not have any cause or right to cry foul on what they should have done restitution.
For Obolos’ neighbours, we hope they do not want to use the remapping exercise as a ploy to illegally collect the oil wells and enter the book of ’littoral local government areas?’ We hope too they have neither trespassed on the land of the Obolos? In all, government must exact punishment to any of the erring: the mourners or the bereaved to serve as a deterrent to others.
Since the matter is with the state House of Assembly, the members must do a thorough work and ensure the culprits or victims are brought to the fore to ensuring adequate punishment and compensation to the deviants and beneficiaries for the sake of justice and peace.
As proffered by Martin Luther, Jnr, true peace is not absence of tension but the presence of justice, the House Committee on Boundary Matters must rely on the remapping exercise of the state Surveyor-General of the affected areas, forward same to the governor for assent. The chief executive has to send it to National Boundary Commission and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission for implementation.
No one, except government based on the Land Use Act has a right over land, though it must seek the consent of the title holder before taking over such land to avoid undue tension. Let the government ensure that disputed oil wells are resolved and returned to the rightful owners, not impostors. Let any disputed boundary be redrawn and oil wells be handed over to the rightful owners to diffuse tension.
This piece was earlier published in the hard copy of Straightnews
