The Ijaw Legislators Forum in the house of representatives has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt to snatch the land belonging to the Ijaw people in Akwa Ibom.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Awaji-Inombek Abiante representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency of Rivers, said the lands belonging to the Ijaw people in Akwa Ibom state, including Eastern Obolo, Ibeno and Mbo LGAs are being remapped.
Abiante, who spoke on behalf of members of the forum, alleged that the remapping of the oil-producing lands started a few days before the end of former governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration
He said the development is against all regulations and requirements.
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“It is an attempt to take the land belonging to the Ijaw nation. Our thinking is that with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), persons who do not have any bearing with oil exploration within the state want to seize part of the land so that it will qualify them as host communities,” Abiante said.
“We have come with our people’s aspirations, pains and cries to say no, this should not be. Given that the Ijaw people in Akwa Ibom state could be in the minority in the state but they desire the protection of the state and the federal government.”
The lawmaker said the remapping of the areas does not follow due process and it is “against morality, justice and laws” of the country.
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“There is a threat to the livelihood of our people. As we speak, they are invading several committees that belong to the Ijaw people in Akwa Ibom state. We want to call on the security agencies to protect the life and property of the Ijaw living, residing and doing business in Akwa Ibom,” he said.
Abiante said the forum will decide whether to file litigation against the alleged land grabbing in court after the outcome of a petition he submitted to the parliament on the matter on Tuesday.
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