The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has promised that the Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Otti, OFR, is ready to handle boundary threats or issues that want to hinder infrastructural development in Abia.
The Deputy Governor who doubles as the Boundary Committee Chairman disclosed this while having in audience at his office in Government House Umuahia, members of Azumini Ndoki and Akirika Obu Communities all in Ukwa East local government area of Abia State whose aim of visiting is to solicit the help of Abia state Government in solving boundary issues they have been having with Akwa Ibom.
Engr Emetu said that there is no need for their fears as the Abia State Government is doing everything within it’s power to make sure Abia State properties, land inclusive are recovered, hence their present effort in getting updated boundary maps from the Survey General Office of Abia State’.
He implored them not to allow their fears terminate projects that are meant for community development while reminding them that the Azumini Ndoki and Akirika Obu road projects are all for infrastructure development in Abia State and therefore warned that any group of people threateneing the completion of those projects will be arrested by Abia security officers that will be detailed to those area.
He encouraged the people of Azumini whose properties were damaged not to hesitate in collecting compensation offered by Akwa Ibom State Government as it is their right.
Speaking earlier, the Representative of Azumiri Community Barr Phillip Nnah while speaking, thanked His Excellency for giving them audience and pointed out that the purpose of their visit is to still further impress it on the State Government, the need to have a written legalized document on Abia State Government’s agreement with Akwa Ibom State over road construction taking place in Azumini Ndoki in Abia State.
He insisted that Akwa Ibom Government might in future make claims over those land they are working on if a proper clarity and documentation is not done on it.He also pointed out that they are still having disparity over previous agreed compensation and
enjoined the state government to come in and play their role as they have the veto power to state what should be done or not.
Also contributing, Barr Okechukwu Nna, the Representative of Akirika Obu in Ukwa East LGA pointed out that the land dispute they are having with Akwa Ibom has lasted over 50yrs. He noted since the flagging off of Ohanze road construction which is supposed to end at Akirika Obu community by Dr Alex Otti, the long drawn dispute between Abia State Government and Akwaibom Government over Akirika Obu seem to have resurrected and is posing a huge threat as the contractors are gradually removing their equipment to avoid destruction.
He implored the state government to if possible, detail security people to the area to bring orderliness.
While lending their voices respectively Mayor of Ukwa East, Chinbunna Akara, Member Representing Ukwa East State Constituency. Mr Lewis Chinaemerem and the Commissioner for information, Mr Prince Okey kanu stated that the boundary issues that bothers Azumini Ndoki and Akirika Obu has lingered and requires urgent attention.They noted that these issues are posing a hindrance to development and stressed on the need to have proper documentation on land dealings with Akwa Ibom inorder to avoid future eventualities.
