Akwa Ibom group laments government’s alleged neglect of Ekid nation

The Ekid Union, the apex organisation of Ekid nation in Akwa Ibom State has urged Governor Udom Emmanuel to consider the alleged neglect of Eket and Esit Eket council areas in his development agenda. It lamented that despite being core oil-producing areas contributing to nation’s oil wealth, Eket and Esit Eket have continued to be neglected and unfairly treated.

The group aired its grievances in a communiqué signed by Prof. Asindi Asindi and Chairman Planning Committee, Prof. Des Wilson yesterday in Uyo after its national congress at Udo Edukere Council Hall, Uquo in Esit Eket. While lamenting the plight of the Ekid nationality, the group noted that Eket and Esit Eket have been neglected and deprived infrastructure, especially roads.

“It was noted that the story of Ekid Nation as far as oil exploration is concerned has been a litany of woes and pains.“The people of Ekid, over the years, have suffered environmental degradation, resource depletion and deprivation, as well as biodiversity losses arising from continuous gas flaring, incessant oil spillages with low access to benefits of oil and gas exploration. This situation is appalling and pathetic.

“The people of Ekid are not unmindful of the sincere developmental strides of Governor Udom generally, but observed with reservation the slow pace of infrastructure development of Eket and Esit Eket councils, specifically in the area of roads construction.

“We wish to state that Ekid nation, in spite of its contributions, is a deprived nation through a seeming denial of infrastructure. Virtually all roads in Eket, which is the headquarters of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, are in deplorable condition.

“The union appeals to the state government to facilitate the renewal of Eket and rehabilitate the roads in the area as it remains the gateway to the international community through oil companies doing business in the land,” the communiqué reads.
The group also urged the State government to construct a ring road to connect Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno councils, which constitute the primary oil producing areas in the state.

It noted that the coastal rail line originally designed to pass through Eket to Oron had been mutilated, adding that the route out of Eket and the South Senatorial District has been diverted. On the East West road, the group said, “It is unfortunate that Section IV of the road, which runs through Eket Urban has been abandoned. The Ekid people therefore, urge the Federal Government to completion the road, as contained the original contract agreement.”