By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel at the weekend, told the people of the State to hold Oron people responsible if he fails to construct the Ibom Deep Seaport.
The Governor made the statement during a State – wide “Phone – In” programme on Radio and Television stations, as part of the activities marking the State’s anniversary.
But, in a swift response, the Oron people fired back, accusing the Governor of insincerity, ethnic bias and engaging in policy summersaults.
Governor Emmanuel had accused the people of the area of being responsible for the delay in the take – off of the project.
“Hold Oron people responsible if I can’t construct the seaport.
“They have written a lot of petitions that have driven investors away”, and we authoritatively gathered that, Power China a supposed investor pulled out of the project owing to this uncertainty.
“The problem we have with Ibom Deep seaport is that the people of Oron wrote a lot of petitions.
“Ibom is a brand name, we should enjoy brand equity but they have written petitions and driven our investors away. If I leave office without achieving that project, hold them responsible, not me.”
But the people of Oron did not take kindly to the Governor’s remarks, accusing the State government of discriminatory practices, insincerity and policy summersaults.
They also condemned attempts to relocate the Deep Seaport project to Ibeno and accused Gov. Emmanuel’s administration of ethnic discrimination in the sitting of infrastructural projects in the State.
Chairman of Oron Nation Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep Seaport, Engr. Okon Nkpubre, also gave reasons why Oron communities opposed the project, wondering why a littoral State like Akwa Ibom surrounded by water and endowed with Ibaka Bay; a harbour, would be contemplating to dig out an artificial ocean for a deep sea port.
Engr. Nkpubre, who is a former MD/CEO of Nigerdock Plc said, “it is not true that Oron Nation drove away investors from Ibom Deep Sea Port. What Oron Nation has done is to unveil unassailable facts and figures about the Deep Sea Port to allow all concerned, including intending investors judge for themselves whether the relocation of the Deep Sea Port from the preferred location and the contemplation of a Dugout Port, make any sense.
“Oron Nation deserves to be appreciated for maintaining the peace in the face of intense provocation due to blatant acts of discriminations by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.
“For instance, Ibaka Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (FTZ) was conceptualized to be in Mbo Local Government Area of Oron Nation which produces the bulk of Oil accruing to Akwa Ibom State.
“Ibaka was in the list of Free Trade Zones awaiting approval for about the past ten years. Later the whole world was told that Liberty Free Trade Zone was a nick name for Ibaka Free Trade Zone.
“And when Ibaka FTZ was finally given approval, the name was changed to Liberty FTZ. But, with utmost impunity and insensitivity to the feelings of Oron People, not even an inch of the area previously covered by Ibaka FTZ is included in Liberty FTZ.
“Not even one LGA of Oron Nation including Mbo which was the host of Ibaka FTZ, is included in the six LGAs covered by Liberty FTZ. One may ask, why is Liberty FTZ not branded Ibom FTZ?
“The Government of Akwa Ibom State has been very unfair to the Oron Nation and insensitive to the feelings of Oron People concerning the handling of Ibaka Deep Sea Port and Free Trade Zone projects, including the fact that, of all the much talked about industrialisation of Akwa Ibom State by Governor Udom Emmanuel, not even one of the industries is sited in any of the five LGAs of the Oron Nation.
“One would have expected that Udom Emmamuel, after becoming Governor in the place of an Oron person, would be more sensitive to the plight of Oron people. But the reverse is the case. This is a classic case of adding salt to injury.
“We must be reminded that there is God above who, unquestionably presides over the affairs of men. Therefore men should desist from acting as if they were God.
“In spite of all attempts to deprive Oron Nation the benefits of its rich maritime environment, it is very heart-warming for Oron people that an Ocean Vessel, 160 meters long, fully loaded with 15,000 tonnes of petroleum products, at a draft of 8 meters recently landed at a dredged creek near Ibaka Bay in the Oron Nation.
“This is the first of such vessels to berth in Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.
