Ekuwem, Eyakenyi under fire as Oro Nation kicks over purported relocation of Ibaka Deep Seaport
This is certainly not the best of time for stakeholders in Oro Nation following the suspicion, rumbling, accusations and controversies trailing the alledged relocation of Ibaka Deep Seaport.
At the center of the controversies are two respectable members of Oro ethnic nationality: the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and the Senator for Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
The duo have come under severe attack, having been accused of playing ignoble roles in the purported relocation of Ibaka Deep Seaport against the interest of Oro Nation.
Incidentally, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and Senator Akon Eyakenyi are members of the Technical Committee for the Implementation of Ibom Deep Seaport and the recent developments tend to suggest that they have been keeping Oro people in the dark over the true position of the project.
The issue came alive when the Committee Necodemouslly paid a visit to Oro Royal fathers.
The meeting reportedly held in the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Oron local government area.
According to a source, the committee visited the Royal fathers to formally inform Oro leaders of the approval given by the Federal Government for the kick off of the project.
One question the committee struggled to answer the was: Has the seaport been relocated from Ibaka?
The unanimous position of Oro people remsrems that the seaport be sited at Ibaka.
Many are, however, worried why two powerful members of Oro Nation could be in a committee yet the people appear to shortchanged.
The situation has infuriated the people of Oro Nation who accused Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and Senator Akon Eyakenyi of compromising Oro interest in the process.
Against this background, a cross section of Oro Youths have already demanded explanations from the duo.
“I am a beneficiary of Senator Akon Eyakenyi. But I will not reciprocate her benefits by incarcerating Truth. Time for truth is now. Address Oro on Ibaka Deep Seaport (not as Senator Eyakenyi) but as a member of the Seaport committee.
“Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem please kindly address Oro on Ibaka Deep seaSeap (not as SSG) but as member of the Seaport committee,” one Sam Osung wrote.
Arising from an emergency meeting with the COTR now known as OBIO IFONG ISONG ORO (OIIO) on 19th January, 2021 at Oro Civic Center Royal fathers in Oro in company of the President General, Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante, disowned any body who misrepresented Oro Nation, insisting that they have never authorized anybody to sign the relocation of the seaport on behalf of Oro people.
After extensive discussion on the recent development concerning the Ibaka Deep Seaport, traditional rulers and title chiefs in Oro Nation reached the following resolutions:
“That the Technical Committee should brief the Oro people on issues concerning the development of Ibaka Deep Sea Port as soon as possible to douse palpable tension.
“That the Oro people have not authorized any person or group of persons to sign any document or documents on behalf of Oro people, particularly on the purported relocation of the Ibaka Deep Sea Port to any part of the state. whosoever does that is on his or her own peril.
“Oro people frown seriously at any nocturnal meeting without proper consultations with strategic stakeholders of Oro nation. “What is worth doing, is worth doing well”.
“The Oro people are therefore watching with keen interest the unfolding scenario and shall respond accordingly when the need arises.”
