By Tom Moses

IKOT AKPAN UDO—ELDERS, chiefs and leaders of Ukpum Ete Clan, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have raised the alarm over alleged clandestine removal of Ikot Abasi Local government area from the list of littoral communities in the state.

They said in a communiqué issued after their meeting at Ikot Akpan Udo community, February 27, 2016, and made available to Niger Delta Voice that they were surprised to find out that “the map of Akwa Ibom State has been surreptitiously redrawn to deny Ikot Akpan Udo community and Ikot Abasi local government area of their littoral status through their total exclusion from access to the sea.”

Secretary of Mboho Ukpum Ete, Mr. Nkanta Nkanta and the village head of Ikot Akpan Udo, Eteidung Oscar Abel, endorsed the communiqué.
The leaders advised oil-prospecting companies operating in Ikot Abasi territory to desist from paying royalty accruing to Ikot Abasi to another local government. The community also urged Ukpum Ete clan and Ikot Abasi local government area to rise, defend and protect their patrimony.

According to the communiqué, Ikot Akpan Udo community had faced incessant attacks from Amazaba of Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom state from August 2008 till date, but Ukpum Ete clan and Ikot Abasi local government area have not shown appropriate concern towards the plights of Ikot Akpan Udo people.

Accordingly, the meeting affirmed the determination of Ikot Akpan Udo people that the Amazaba, who had vacated Ikot Akpan Udo community’s territory voluntarily after their massacre and destruction of Ikot Akpan Udo people and property, shall no longer live on the said territory.

They also affirmed that Ikot Akpan Udo community shall not sign any MoU with the Akwa Ibom State government to cede any part of its territory to Amazaba.