The Federal Government says it is set to put a demarcation mark between Akwa Ibom and Cross River communities as a panacea to the persistent boundary feud.
Mr. Moses Ekpo, the Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, stated this Saturday during sensitization campaign visit to Mbiabo Clan in Itu Local Government Area, said “The boundary demarcation is not to divide communities that have been living together but for administrative purposes.”
Our Correspondent reports that Mbiabo Clan is one of the communities in Itu that has been in boundary conflict with Ikot Offiong in Cross River State.
Ekpo, who was represented by Ime Ekpo, the Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, said government would not rest on its oars until all neighbouring communities live in peace.
He appealed to the people of Mbiabo Clan and other boundary communities to remain calm and eschew violence.
“You must cooperate with Government to bring peace and development to your communities,” Ekpo said.
He appealed to the people of Mbiabo clan to remain calm and peaceful as the National Boundary Commission is about to begin the demarcation exercise which is intended to put to rest the age-long boundary feud.
Ekpo assured the people that government would remain firm and just in the demarcation exercise without ceding communities to one another.
The deputy governor, who is also the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, warned youths not to allow themselves to be used by others to unleash mayhem that the boundary crisis was known for.
He urged the women to advise their children to desist from acts capable of disrupting the peace during the conduct of the demarcation exercise.
He expressed government sympathy with the people of Mbiabo Clan who have been displaced from their traditional home for the last 18 years.
Also speaking, the representative of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) Mr Marcel Ukweni, Zonal Laison Officer, South-South zone, said that the purpose of NBC was to preach peace, as it is the only condition that allows for meaningful development.
Ukweni restated the commission mandate to ensure peace reigns in the boundary communities of the nation.
He said, “Boundary is an imaginary line not to demarcate people, not a wall but a mark on the ground for the administrative convenience of both Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.”
In his remark, Mr Bala Ipalibo, the Chief Resident Surveyor of Akwa Ibom said that a boundary is not intended to restrict movement nor hinder means of livelihood.
He urged the Mbiabo Clan to cooperate with government in the demarcation exercise as it would bring meaningful development to the area.
The Clan head of Mbiabo Clan, Etebom Etim Asuquo Okon, recalled that the 18 year old feud has brought to them nothing but devastation.
Okon said boundary feud has caused the community to flee their homes and has rendered them without any means of livelihood as their farmlands are not accessible anymore because anyone who goes there, is killed.
The Clan Head emphasized that Mbiabo is not part of Odukpani local government area in Cross River.
Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, the Paramount Ruler of Itu, decried the loss of farmlands across the river which has brought untold hardship.
Inyang, however, wondered how the people are expected to meet their daily needs and that of their families when their farmlands have been taken away from them.
The monarch assured government of their support to end the age long feud between two communities.
