By Roseline Etukudo
Contractors handling work at the Dakada Luxury Estate will now enjoy a hitch free working relationship with the host communities as the three villages of Ibiaku Issiet, Ibiaku Obio Ndobo and Mbikpong Atai in Uruan and Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Areas have agreed with the Akwa Ibom State Government on terms of payment of compensation to land owners of DAKADA Luxury Estate in their communities
This is the fallout of the agreement reached at the emergency meeting of Stakeholders of the three Communities led by the Executive Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area, Hon. (Surv) Iniobong Ekpenyong with the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Water Resources, Akwa Ibom State in his office.
The Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno tendered his unreserved apology to the host Communities for the delay in payment of compensation and assured them of government’s plans to pay full compensation to all concerned before the end of July 2021.
The Commissioner disclosed that Ibiaku Obio Ndobo Community has received fifty percent of the compensation due the community while Ibiaku Ishiet is yet to receive its fifty percent due to some outstanding issues.
Pastor Eno appealed to the host communities to allow the contractor handling the DAKADA Luxury Estate resume work at the site and urged them to cooperate with Mr Udom Emmanuel’s led Government in developing the state.
In a motion moved by Obong (Hon.) Godwin E. Udoabasi, Community Leader of Mbikpong Atai and seconded by Samuel Bassey Etim of Ibiaku Obio Ndobo respectively, the communities resolved that work should commence at the site in earnest since government has resolved all pending issues.
Reacting after the meeting, the National Youth President of Uruan Local Government Area, Mr. Daniel Effiong Akpan said that youths in the two affected Communities in Uruan will support the completion of the project. Also, the youth leaders of Ibiaku Ishiet and Mbikpong Atai, Mr Daniel Etim and Abasiama Etimudo respectively, confirmed their resolved to allow work continue on the site.
Representatives of the host communities at the meeting were; Clan Head, lbesikpo, Etebom Nsidibe Etuk, Obong Godwin Udoabasi , Chief Edet Nyong Okoho, Obongawan Mma Mary, Daniel Effiong Akpan ,Samuel Etim
Others were, Ibiaku Issiet Village head, Chief William Effiong Etim , woman leader, Mrs Inyang Friday Ntong, Nsikak Okon , Daniel Etim and James Udo .
Also, Chairman Ibiaku Issiet Village Council, Chairman Ibiaku Development Community, Consultant and contractors of Dakada Luxury Estate were part of the meeting
Recall, on Wednesday 24th March, 2021, indigenes of Ibiaku Issiet and Ibiaku Obio Ndobo in Uruan local Government Area marched to the Estate site protesting the non payment of compensation to land owners by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
