PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY SITE: IBENO FIGHTS BACK Says we own Okoiyak

The people of Ibeno Local Government Area under the auspices of Mpono Nnitor Ibeno says the land in which the petrochemical industry is sited belongs to Ibeno and not Eket as claimed by Okoiyak Landlords in Eket Local Government Area. The group made this known in a press statement addressed to the Editor of THE INK Newspaper last week. 

It avered in a release signed by Enienwe Ikoedem Ekong, John Cyril Ekang, Daniel Sunday, Friday Ebong and Ikwo Dan Okon that “For the avoidance of doubt and for the purpose of keeping the records straight, the land in which the Petrochemical Industry is sited belongs to Ibeno and not Ekid Nation. From historical facts, the Ibeno people are among the earliest settlers on the Atlantic Coast where they have remained till today. Historical facts and colonial documents have unequivocally confirmed this assession. 

It  is also on record that most Eket villages takes their origin from Ibeno even through Eket people maintain that they found themselves emerging from the ground to exist where they are now. Ibeno people are primarily fishermen and they have maintained that industry from the beginning of their life till now”.

The release indicates further that, Ibeno Local Government was created vide the Local Government Decree No 7. Of 1997, CAP A61 Federal Republic of Nigeria Decree 1997, and before the creation, the entire area of land occupied by the people of Ibeno have always been in effective and total occupation, and control by them including the land on which the petrochemical industry is sited. This recent claim by Dr. Obioba only represents a mere figment of imagination of the alleged claimant, since it is not supported by concrete facts on which a claim for title to land can be based. A mere reference to suit No. FHC/UY/CS/53/2003 dated 19th October, 1998 and an alleged judgment arising therefrom is not enough. 

In any case it would be preposterous to join issues with Dr. Obioba. However it is our intention to refer the matter of this publication to our lawyers since there is a case in the High Court of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in connection with the so called “Okoiyak” land and all matters connected therewith are subjudice. 

It added also that the Ibeno people cannot be intimidated when it comes to the issue of protecting their land and they are absolutely confident in that all traditional and colonial records at their disposal confirm that the land on which the Petrochemical Industry is sited belong to them. It noted in parts that, Indeed it is proper to mention here and now that even the Gas Processing Facility allegedly named after Uquo in Esit Eket is built on Ibeno Land. As one passes from Uquo to Ibeno the cast excavation of sharp sand going along the road, shortly after the Gas Processing Facility is carried out on Ibeno Land. 

These show that Ibeno Community has great control of land along the axis leading to the home-stead of the Esit Eket community of the Ekid Nationality. The Ibeno people having appreciated the uncommon transformation of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State reserve their right at an appropriate time to negotiate for compensation in connection with the land on which the Gas Processing Facility is sited.