Table of Contents

  1. Willingness of Ibeno Residents
  2. Tension Over Project Routing
  3. Governor's Warning
  4. Dispute Over Land Ownership
  5. Peaceful Rally by Ibeno People
  6. Local Government's Address
  7. Youth's Restraint
  8. Remarks from Ibeno Elders' Forum

The residents of Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State have shown their readiness to permit the Federal Government's Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to pass through the Stubb Creek Reserve.

Routing the project through the forest reserve has created significant tension, as the people of Ekid (Eket and Esit Eket), who assert ownership of the forest, have issued a caveat emptor preventing contractors from entering the area.

However, during the inauguration of a hospital facility in Eket, the state governor, Umo Eno, cautioned the residents to refrain from interfering with the land and to allow the project to proceed.

Additionally, the state government, represented by the Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, countered the claims made by the leaders of Ekid nation. He clarified that the historical case of Ntiaro and Ikpak v. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not grant ownership of the Stubbs Creek land to any ethnic group or community.

Nonetheless, the Ibeno people, who assert their rightful ownership of the Stubb Creek Reserve, held a peaceful rally on Saturday to commend Governor Eno for his courage in standing by what they consider the “truth” regarding the disputed oil-rich Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, regardless of the consequences.

Dressed in white and holding placards at the local government secretariat with messages such as ‘Ibeno is the true host of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve,’ ‘Dialogue not dispute, Ibeno is for peace,’ and ‘Ibeno says yes to coastal highway,’ the Ibeno residents expressed their support for development and their willingness to back the Federal Government’s construction of the superhighway, as well as welcome other potential investors to their community.

During the rally, the vice chairman of the local government, Ukpong Okon, who represented the council chairman, Mrs. Glory Effiong, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

He also praised Governor Umo Eno for his wise handling of the contentious Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve issue, noting that it would foster peace and development in the communities.

He commended the Ibeno youth for their restraint amidst the provocative claims made by the Eket people.

“We truly appreciate the youth for organizing this protest today. We commend our non-violent approach to the current situation. Over time, there have been numerous discussions in social media, print, and even on radio, questioning the ownership of the Stubb Creek.

“But that should not be a concern. For the government to boldly address the issue and clarify the truth about Stubb Creek, I believe that should resolve any misunderstandings or claims that anyone might have had.

“We in Ibeno sincerely and wholeheartedly support the government in this initiative, as it will facilitate the construction of the superhighway through this forest reserve and open up the rest of Ibeno land to investors,” Effiong stated.

In his remarks, the spokesperson for the Ibeno Elders’ Forum, Barrister Diamond Akpanika, emphasized that the events demonstrated that the Stubb Creek Reserve is not owned by the Eket people.

“Today, you have witnessed the Ibeno people come together in white for a rally; white symbolizes peace. The people are here to showcase the character and qualities inherent in every Ibeno person, that we are peaceful, peace-loving, and peace-makers.

“We are peacefully rallying our support behind President Bola Tinubu for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. We are also expressing our support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to ensure that the coastal highway traverses our land and for Governor Pastor Umo Eno for standing by the truth,” he stated.

What is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project?

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a proposed infrastructure project aimed at enhancing transportation and connectivity between Lagos and Calabar, passing through various states in Nigeria.

What are the concerns regarding the Stubb Creek Reserve?

Concerns include ownership disputes over the Stubb Creek Reserve, with the people of Ekid claiming ownership and opposing the project, while the Ibeno people assert their rightful ownership and support the highway's construction.

What was the outcome of the rally held by the Ibeno people?

The rally resulted in a unified expression of support for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and a call for peaceful dialogue over the land ownership dispute.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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