According to Edidem Etim Abia, the Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government Area, when the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law 2023 was passed by the State House of Assembly, unity and peaceful coexistence would be fostered.
The monarch remarked that the state’s map was significant because it would put an end to years of conflicts about the boundaries between nearby settlements when he spoke with reporters in his palace in Eket on Wednesday.
“Without a map, an official gazetted map, we could not have survived as a state.
The map that was previously in circulation, according to him, was not an official one; rather, it was something that someone had drawn and that caused many issues.LATEST: There May Be No 2023 Elections If.. – UK Govt Raises Alarm(Opens in a new browser tab)
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his courage and determination in ensuring that the state had an official map, which he described as a vital tool for ensuring peace and stability.
“This map is expected to show clearly where the boundary of each Local Government is and bring to an end all the fights.
“The governor has done well, he has the courage to do the right thing and not mind anybody, we couldn’t have had a state that didn’t have a map,” he said.
He also drew attention to the fact that the map would prevent Local Government Areas from making claims on territories that were not rightfully theirs.
“We in Eket have been fighting since 1914 to get the proper boundary demarcated between us and Ibeno. This case went up to the privy council, the highest court in the British Empire and right from Nigeria, Eket won the case both in the High Court, Court of Appeal to the British Council. Ibeno never accepted that Judgment
“It is not up to Ibeno to implement the judgement but when there is a judgment that involves land it is the Government that should implement the judgment but successive Governments haven’t implemented the judgement.
“We also joined in the case to argue where QIT (Qua Iboe Terminal) is and they lost, the appeal was thrown out but still they won’t give up.
“This map is very important, not just for Eket alone because it affected Onna, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi.
“But this map is expected to show clearly where the boundary of each local Government is and bring to an end all the fights,” he said.
He further noted that in the past, there had been conflicts over territories that were not properly delineated, leading to tension and sometimes violence between communities but with the map.
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