…As Ijaw nation is running out of patience
The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), has called on the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel Udom to resettle the people of Amazaba of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State recently evicted or face whatever action the group and the Ijaw nation may take.
The group handed down this directive via a letter sent to the state governor dated 14th September, 2017 and jointly signed by its executive members of which a copy was made available to GbaramatuVoice.
According to the letter, the Amazama Obolo people have been rendered homeless following a land dispute between them and the Ikot Akpan Udo village of the Ibiobio, Abasi Local Government Area about ten years ago
Since then, successive government have not deemed it fit to have them resettled making them to go through untold hardship for this long period of time.
Continuing, the group stressed that they are using this medium to bring this to the Governor’s notice that over eight Amazaba communities of Eastern Obolo Ijaw extraction, were invaded and evicted out of their home land by Ikot Akpan Udo village of the Ibiobio.
This incident occurred over ten years ago and since then, no word is being heard from the successive government in the state.
Also, the group lamented that the governments in the state has failed to give them a sense of belonging as regards to providing Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, support or outright resettlement.
They further alleged that their opponent, Ikot Akpan Udo community has been resettled by your predecessor Godswill Akpabio since 2012. This act they viewed as discriminatory and ethnically biased.
Also, the letter stated that the Amazaba people have been contending with the visible bias of the previous governments as their opponent lavishly enjoyed their backing and support, the group alleged.
“As law abiding indigenes of the state, it may interest you also to know that we have written several letters to this effect to your predecessor all to no avail”, the group stated.
They further alleged that the Ibibios are using their vantage position in the state to frustrate the efforts by the Ijaws to be resettled.
Furthermore, the letter pointed out that they have been told that Akwa-Ibom state government has concluded plans to turn Amazaba home land to cassava farms and centre of other agro-businesses. “This is unfortunate and barbaric if it is true. If the above plan is executed, it will completely wipe out Amazaba people from their home, the group added.
“Despite these ugly scenarios against Amazaba, Ijaws across Niger Delta has refused to interfere, believing that the issue is internal in nature which could be managed by the Akwa-Ibom state government in an unbiased manner.
“But this is not what we are seeing as the state is visibly taking side with our opponent wondering if Akwa Ibom government only represents Ikot Akpan Udo people.
“With firm commitment, we want to believe that you will use your good office to resettle the Amazaba people, despite your predecessors failed attempt in doing justice to this matter”, IPDI stated.
The letter which was signed by Comrade Ozobo Austin, President; Mayor Timi Ogobiri, Acting Spokesman; Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, Director of Programme and Mr. Peter Luke, Secretary, finally called on the Governor to take urgent steps to resettle Amazaba communities without further delay, as the Ijaws across Niger Delta are running out of patience over this issue.
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