Two A/Ibom communities end 55-year-old boundary feud

Two warring communities in Akwa Ibom state, Nung Oku Ekanem and Afaha Ubium have signed a memorandum of understanding to end the 55-year-old boundary dispute between them.

The two communities are in the Onna Local Government Area of the state.

Akwa Ibom state Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Onna, Edidem Raymond Inyang on Tuesday.

Ekpo, who is also the chairman of the state’s boundary committee, said that the peace brokered between the two communities would promote healthy living and attract development to the area.

He condemned the unwarranted loss of lives and property occasioned by incessant communal clashes across the state and commended the communities for seeing the need to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

The deputy governor called on other communities in the state engulfed by one crisis or the other to emulate the Nung Oku Ekanem and Afaha Ubium communities by toying the line of peace.

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“I have always said that only warring communities can end their boundary crises and win peace for their areas. What you have done is a great honour to your son, the governor of the state and your children will grow up to call you peace-makers,” he added.

Ekpo assured the communities that the state government would look into the report and recommendations of the peace committee and do whatever was necessary to ensure permanent peace in the area.

He also commended the peace committee led by the paramount ruler of Onna for their prompt action in settling the age-long feud.

The deputy governor noted that the peace that the Supreme Court could not secure for the area over the years had been accomplished in record time by the peace committee.

Chairman of the Peace Committee and Paramount Ruler of Onna Community, Edidem Inyang, expressed appreciation to God and the state government for wading into the matter and supporting the committee to succeed in its assignment.

Inyang thanked the village heads of both communities for their cooperation and called on the communities to respect the boundaries set by the state.

The monarch warned against further trespass on the disputed land.