The National Boundary Commission has finalised plans to demarcate the border communities of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States to ensure lasting peace between the two states.
Mr. Moses Ekpo, Akwa Ibom deputy governor, who restated this after presentation of relief materials to the people of Ayadehe, Oku Iboku, Mbiabo in Itu local government area, said, “You are to give them support and cooperation for them to do their work effectively.”
Ekpo further urged Itu people in Akwa Ibom state to eschew violence and leave in peace with their neighbours as such would attract development to the area.
“You are advised to live in peace with your neighbouring communities. Government will continue to protect the lives and property of all its citizens,” he said.
The deputy governor said the gesture was a demonstration of government concern and care for the people of the state in times of distress.
He directed that the relief materials be distributed to the victims in the four clans of Ayadehe, Itu, Mbiabo, and Oku Iboku, stressing that only the victims of the border crisis would be the beneficiaries of the items.
Earlier, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, the paramount ruler of Itu council area, had thanked the State Emergency Management Agency [SEMA] and the state government for responding to the plight of Itu people.
Akpan lamented that the communal clash displaced many people from their ancestral homes, who are now living as refugees in their own state, appealing for more assistance to the people as many of them have been deprived of sources of livelihood.
He added that the people could no longer to farm or go to the river to do their fishing, and assured of even distribution of relief materials to ensure the victims benefit fron such.
Items presented included, amongst others, 100 pieces of fishing net, 148 mattresses, 600 pieces of mosquito treated net, food items, toiletries and clothing.
