By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Akwa Ibom government has said it would soon issue a proclamation to authenticate it’s ownership of the oil rich Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, under contention by Eket and Ibeno Local Councils of the state.
The reserve is a dense mangrove forest believed to be very rich in oil and gas deposits that also housed the Multi Billion Dollar Qua Iboe Terminal, the operational base of ExxonMobil in Akwa Ibom.
Governor Umo Eno made this known weekend when he paid a visit to the disputed land following renewed skirmishes between the people of Ibeno Esit Eket and Eket Local Councils.
“Stubbs Creek, I want to state emphatically belongs to neither Eket, Esit Eket or Ibeno. It is a forest reserve which belongs to government.
“Since 1930, I have seen all the gazettes, even that of 1966 till date. So those who have gone in there have essentially been encroaching on government’s land and this must stop today.
“I have directed the Ministry of Lands to come up with the entire plan and we will soon issue a proclamation on it.
“Government needs Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve as a source of carbon credits, which ultimately will provide jobs for the youths of these areas.” Eno said.
The Governor warned those who may try the resolve of government to have a rethink.
”Security agencies will continue to ensure there is law and order. They have the directive to confront any group that may want to start this problem again.
“They are going to be stationed here and they will not be lenient with any one one who breaks the law. The law will certainly take its course. We must have communities that are governed by law; so please be warned.”
Flanked by Service Commanders of the various security agencies, stakeholders from the affected areas, he asked those responsible for the unnecessary wanton destruction to cease and desist as he had credible intelligence on their activities.
“I have credible intelligence on those who are sponsoring our young people to go out and cause this mayhem.
“After this warning today, if this happens again, I can assure you that government will call you out, pick you up and you will face the penalty squarely.
“So I want to appeal to our political gladiators to stop taking sides and fanning the embers of disunity. We are leaders and we cannot be sponsoring young people to take the laws into their hands. We will not allow it.” He stated.
The Governor reminded the people of their filial and communal ties and threatened to sack transition committee chairmen of the warring councils of they fail to instill peace peace in their councils.
“The two communities are united in so many ways. There is high level of inter-marriages between yourselves, and I do not see any reason for these repeated clashes. By the grace of God, we are determined to put an end to this problem.
“I had to evacuate 16 people who were wounded in the course of this unfortunate clashes and once I leave here, I am going to visit them at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital”.
“I want to say this to the chairmen of the three local government councils: You have the responsibility to maintain law and order in your respective domains.
“If any of this should happen again in your domains, you know you are transition chairmen; I will remove you immediately and I promise you, I will!.” He said.
