40-year-old crisis: Youths, traditional rulers, govt sign accord

The lingering crisis between host communities in Aka Offot industrial estate and banking layout in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital would soon be over with the signing of a peace accord between the state government, traditional rulers and youths.

The accord which was brokered by the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, became imperative following constant altercation between host communities in the last 40 years.

Chairman of the Corporation, Dr Elijah Akpan expressed the hope that the agreement would not only bring to an end the protests of marginalisation by the youths of the area but also increase the profitability of companies and organisations operating in the estate.

Akpan who regretted that conflicts between host communities and companies in the estate had lingered since 1973 however commended stakeholders for their commitment towards the realisation of the peace accord.

According to the chairman “The MOU encompasses allowing the four villages in the area to be joint host communities with the village where a plant or bank is sited to be referred to as the main host and the other three as cohosts.

“Royalties or other benefits from an organisation operating in the area to be paid to the main host and co-hosts on the ratio of 40:60 (each of the co-hosts getting 20%) with the same formula applying to all companies and banks in the layout.”

Akpan further frowned on the abuse of the use of traditional injunction by the communities to intimidate the companies and called for more friendly ways to settling disputes between the parties.

In a remark the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of Champion Breweries Barr Okon Ekong reminded the communities of their role in protecting and supporting industrial organisations for them to fulfil their corporate social responsibility.

Spokesperson for the host communities, Chief Francis Morgan commended AKICORP for their commitment towards lasting peace in the estates but reminded the organisations operating in the area of the need to improve on their corporate social responsibility to their host communities.