… Urges Host Communities To Remain Calm
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has said that it would not be pressurised to alter the original boundary of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), as contained in the survey plan and gazette of the institution’s land of 1981.
The State deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who made the position government known at a meeting between the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and Nsukara Offot community in Uyo Local Government Area, appealed to the university host communities to respect the landmark demarcation of the University’s land.
Eyakenyi stated that the survey, which is supported by the gazette, outlined the points of survey, the bearings and distances, was the elements and instruments of the powers of government that cannot be controverted.
She noted that the Certificate of Occupancy, signed by the then State governor, was an irrevocable document of facts that cannot be tempered with, emphasising that the validity of claims, rest on documents of government.
“These documents cannot become a less inferior document to any authority since it has establish the seal of the governor of that time.”
The deputy governor explained that the gazette and the map, were elements and instruments of the powers of government, adding that accompanied with the seal on an irrevocable Certificate of Occupancy, signed by the chief executive of the State of that time, made it sacrosanct.
Eyakenyi pointed out that those documents could not be challenged but, however, request if alternative measure should be taken, it was the final stage of any document to any ownership to land, that even the law court cannot dissolved.
The deputy governor told the parties that if there was need for clarity, government would remain responsible to the people of Nsukara Offot and the University of Uyo, to remain neutral and allow the community engage a qualified surveyor to work with government surveyor, to re-establish the beacons and bearings alongside the gazette.
Eyakenyi maintained that the document could only be neutralized by a court of competent jurisdiction and not by negotiation, presentation or any other instrument of power, emphasizing that it was such institution that can liquidate the authenticity of those document alongside the map.
The deputy governor stressed that for the purpose of psychological satisfaction, government would subject itself to checks and be magnanimous by paying for the services of the community surveyor, to work with government surveyors, to re-establish those beacons on the gazette to determine the boundary of the university and Nsukara Offot community.
She sued for peace from the community to enable government settle the matter, noting that the boundary between the University and host communities, were clearly stated in government documents and such unambiguous information should not be subjected to conflict.
In his remarks, the commissioner for Lands, Capt. Iniobong Ekong (rtd), expressed the willingness of his Ministry to work with the parties with a view to achieving an amicable resolution of the dispute.
The chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, appealed to both parties to sheath their swords and co-exist peacefully to facilitate development in the community.
Presentations were made by representatives of the vice chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Aniekan Offiong; Deputy vice chancellor, Administration, Engr. Augustine Udo; chairman, University of Uyo Community Relation Boundary Committee and chairman, Nsukara Offot Village Council, Mr Alex Benson.
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