Residents of Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa-East Local Government Area (LGA), today, staged a peaceful protest over road construction by Akwa-Ibom State government.
They lamented that there is no formal agreement nor Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), by Abia State government with Akwa-Ibom State government to do road construction from Ikot Esu – Otomo in Ika LGA of Akwa-Ibom State into Uzonta road in Azumini Ndoki community, in Ukwa-East LGA of Abia State, except verbal approval from Abia State Government.
Speaking with newsmen during the protest in Uzonta road, Azumini, a community leader, Chief Ogbo Ubani further allayed fears of mischief, accusing Akwa-Ibom State Government of territory expansion and encroachment.
In his words: “First of such mischief is that Azumini Ndoki community is a community within Ukwa-East LGA and is not part of the territories within Akwa-Ibom State and clearly situates at the terminal end of the aforesaid road project. Sandwiching the name of Azumini Ndoki community in between the names of communities in Akwa-Ibom territory is clearly suggestive that Azumini Ndoki community seats within Akwa-Ibom State territory.”
Chief Ubani noted that upon their demand from Kas Ufot Consult; the Estate Surveyor and Valuer, in respect of the payment of compensation to Azumini indigenes, a specimen copy of the compensation schedule for the exercise and was instead given a copy of beneficiaries of the compensation which copy reads thus: “The underlisted names of property owners affected by the construction of 22 Kilometre Ikot Ezu -Otomo – Azumini – Ikot – Niia, Ikot Asukpong Road Project In Azumini Community, Abia State”.
Ubani said that the community is apprehensive, due to the nature of their perennial boundary dispute, as a consequence of the alleged land grabbing disposition of Akwa-Ibom State.
Contributing, the President Azumini Welfare Association, Elder Azubuike Nwankwo, said that the community insists on documentation of any interface between Abia State and Akwa-Ibom State governments in respect of the aforesaid road construction against verbal promises from Abia State government.
Nwankwo maintained that with no evidence to the ongoing project, that they are worried that they may wake up one day to find out that they have been ceded into Akwa-Ibom State as an Ndoki community.
He said: “Our fear are germane that a new government may not have a grasp, in the absence of any documentary evidence, of what transpired between the two governments of Abia and Akwa-Ibom states, in respect of this road project in the future.”
In a related development, the Secretary, Azumini Interim Administrative Committee, Barr. Fidelis Nnah, faulted the paying of compensation to Azumini indigenes by Akwa-Ibom State government, accusing Akwa-Ibom State government of deceit.
He questioned the rationale behind Akwa-Ibom State government revoking properties in Abia State territory and paying compensation.
This, he said is the sole responsibility of Abia state government, where Azumini belongs and not Akwa-Ibom state.
The legal luminary alleged that Akwa-Ibom State government who is yet to reposition their youths are now more concerned in constructing roads in Abia territory.
“I wondered why Abia State government should be less concerned about protecting its own indigenes against an expansionist government. We are saying, if they are not ready to protect us, they should let us know.”
They called for the immediate stoppage of work in the area until Abia State enters into MoU with their Akwa-Ibom State counterpart.
They also disclosed that the road description should change thus: Ikot Esu – Otomo in Ika LGA, Akwa-Ibom State to terminate in Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa-East LGA, Abia state.
Azumini elders further said that they are intrinsically indigenes of Abia state and pledged their unalloyed allegiance and loyalty Governor Alex Otti-led administration.
They explained that they have no fear on the Governor’s capacity in this regard, stating that their intentions are to secure their future and that of their future generations as Igbos in the main and as indigenes of Abia state.
Abia State Government had on October 16, 2024 admonished Azumini community to desist from doing anything that will impugn on the progress and completion of the said project.
Meanwhile, the Mayor, Ukwa-East, Hon. Chibunna Akara has urged the community to remain calm and peaceful, amidst their grievances.
Represented by the Secretary of Ukwa East LGA Council, Pastor Iheanyi Adindu, he assured them that their messages would be conveyed to the Abia State Governor for amicable resolutions.
