Akwa Ibom: Tension in Oil Communities Over Ownership of Forests Reserve

Again, the battle over who owns the disputed Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve between the two oil – bearing communities of Ibeno and Ekid ethnic nationalities of Akwa Ibom State has taken a fiery turn with indications pointing to resumption of another round of hostilities 

The forest reserve, part of which the State government has annexed and allocated to some firms including the BUA Petrochemical refinery and fertilizer company, has been the epicentre of perennial disputes with Ekid and Ibeno.

Under the aegis of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) led by its president general, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, the Ekid people argued that the reserve, rich in oil, gas, aquatic ecosystems, solid minerals and agricultural resources, belong to the Ekid nation, citing colonial and post colonial judicial precedents.

Faulting the EPU’s disposition, the secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council (ICC), Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, described the sentimental action of their Ekid neighbours as a mere trump- up allegation coming from a bias and fraudulent mindset.

He accused the EPU of “peddling falsehoods, twisting history, and blackmailing Governor Umo Eno, to avoid a peace probe Committee to be chaired by the governor himself.”

Speaking in an interview at Upenekang, headquarters of Ibeno local government area yesterday, Udofia described EPU’s rejection of the governor’s peace overtures as “an act of cowardice, stressing that Eket has no facts, maps, or legal judgments and documents to prove ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest.”

“You can not talk about Stubbs Creek without Ibeno. That expansive Stubb Creek Forest Reserve, is the very landmass of Ibeno. From colonial maps to present-day Akwa Ibom boundaries, it is clearly Ibeno territory. Eket people are only living on lies,” Udofia maintained.

He dismissed Ekid’s reliance on the 1916/1918 Court case as a “landmark judgment,” calling it a distortion of the fact of history.

“That case was between two Ibeno families; Chief Ntiedo of Upenekang and Chief Ikpak of Mkpanak. No Eket man was involved.

 The so-called Mr. Edohoeket, was only a house-boy to Chief Ntiedo and was brought as a witness in the matter. How can Eket now claim ownership based on another man’s family quarrel?,” he queried.

He, therefore, accused the British judge who gave Ekid a favourable ruling at the Court of first instance of corruption and bias in the age – long matter.

“Judge Webber was married to an Eket woman and lived among them. He connived to hand over Ibeno land. But Ibeno appealed, and Webber’s ruling was countered where the appeal Court declared that the Court is not a father Christmas to award what was not prayed for.

“Ibeno won at the appeal.

Ekid instituted another case on the same Stubb Creek ownership, and in 1980, judgment came in Ibeno’s favour with damages of N200,000 awarded against Ekid. These are with documents, and that’s the truth they want to bury,” he recalled.

Challenging EPU’s claim that they gave Ibeno land for fishing and settlements, Udofia, queried whether Ekid is the federal government.

“If they claim they gave us land, let them name their forefathers who signed the treaty or produce any documents to back their claim. We can trace ours to treaties with the Portuguese and Europeans before Eket even existed,” he stressed.

He branded EPU’s leaders as instigators of violence in the area, saying they are afraid of any initiative that will bring permanent peace to the area even the proposed Governor Eno’s Peace Committee because it will strip bare their propaganda.

“They have no history, no maps, no facts. That is why they are running away from the Governor’s committee. If they have any documents, let them bring them. If not, they should hide their faces in shame,” he argued.

While pledging Ibeno’s loyalty to Governor Eno’s peace initiatives, Udofia warned that Ibeno’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We will not go to war because the Governor has stepped in to keep the peace. But let no one think Ibeno cannot defend itself against any aggression and hostilities. Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve is ours; always has been, always will be.”

He reminded them to pursue the Stubbs creek ownership case that is pending at the Appeal Court in Calabar, and also challenged them to come out and display their documents to the world at the proposed Governor Eno’s Peace Committee, and stop their propaganda.

“The world knows the truth that Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve belongs to Ibeno. Both Eket and Esit Eket LGAs lies can't not rewrite history,” he explained.

SOURCE: Leadership