IDSP CONTROVERSY: A MESSAGE FROM ORO UNITY FORUM

As a pan-Oro sociocultural organization, the Oro Unity Forum considers divisive and unacceptable, the recent remarks made by His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, in which he blamed the lethargic progress of the Ibom Deep Seaport project on the people of Oro Nation, on the claims that progress of the project is being stalled by petitions written by the Oro people.

The Forum also condems in strong terms, the seeming sponsorship of media hirelings to further insult the Oro people from an absolutely misinformed point of view. This betrays the government's commitment to the maintenance of peace in the State.

It is instructive to note that the people of Oro are bonafide citizens of Akwa Ibom State and we reserve the right to express our concerns on whatever involves our communities and the entire State such as the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

It therefore follows that the governor's refusal to listen to the findings of the Oro Nation Technical Committee on Ibom Deep Seaport, and his resort to 'naming and shaming' the Oro people constitute a display of outright disrespect for the feelings of our people. This, of course, necessitated the petitions which the governor says has discouraged interested investors.

However, having examined the findings presented by the Oro Technical Committee headed by the former MD/CEO of Nigerdock, Engr. Nkpubre O. Nkpubre, Oro Unity Forum is of the view that the issues raised by the Committee are too germane and fundamental to be ignored by the State Government and host community, if both parties are genuinely interested in the development of the deep seaport.

Accordingly, the Oro Unity Forum calls on Gov. Udom Emmanuel to advance dialogue with relevant stakeholders of the Oro ethnic nationality, to address the claims made by the Committee chaired by the respected Engineer Nkpubre led Committee, especially on the government's purported decision to embark of the construction of a dugout seaport, and the alteration of other aspects of the Seaport masterplan, including its location and gateway.

OUF acknowledges the roles played in the last few days by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, as well as other government officials, to assuage the governor's frayed nerves over the unfortunate random responses that his outburst against the Oro people has generated, but we wish the governor would reciprocate the gesture by assuming a fatherly position, and pursue an understanding with the Oro people, to put the worrisome controversy to rest.

Finally, the Oro Unity Forum appeals to the generality of Oro people, especially social media users and opinion leaders to ceasefire and relax the overheated debate, promote harmonious coexistence amongst the different parts of the State, while we hope strongly that His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel places premium on the oneness of Akwa Ibom State, and allows same to reflect in his posturing and public comments, going forward.

God bless Oro!
God bless Akwa Ibom State.

Hon. Elder Ben Oyombio
President, Oro Unity Forum
29th September, 2021