A-IBOM TO RELEASE WHITE PAPER ON IKOT AKPAN UDO/AMAZABA CRISIS

UYO-Akwa Ibom State Government is to release a white paper on the communal clash between Ikot Akpan Udo village in Ukpum Ete clan of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and Amazaba, in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, early this year.

State deputy governor, Nsima Ekere, who announced this during the 2011 Ukpum Ete Day celebration and reception in his honour, said the commission of inquiry set up by government to ascertain root causes of the conflict had completed its work and government was now in the process of releasing the white paper on the commission's report.

Ekere urged elders and youths of the two communities to continue to exercise restraint, pointing out that conflict does not profit anyone.

He assured that the state government's Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Agency would be directed to renovate the dilapidated classroom blocks at the Methodist Central School, Ete, venue of the event.

The deputy governor advised women and youths of the clan to take advantage of the Women Agricultural Empowerment Programme and the Integrated Farmers' Scheme, put in place by government for them as agriculture was a veritable source of employment.

Ekere, who was accompanied by his wife, Ese, thanked the Ukpum Ete Council of Chiefs and the Mboho Ukpum Ete for the chieftaincy title of Ubokudom Ukpum Ete and noted that he has always enjoyed tremendous support from the clan in his political endeavours.