The Akwa Ibom State Government has warned that henceforth anyone found encroaching on the land belonging to the University of Uyo Permanent site along Nwaniba road, will be arrested and prosecuted.

Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem handed down the warning on Thursday at Government House,Uyo during a meeting with members of the University of Uyo Community Relations Committee.

Dr Ekuwem stated that the Government decision was informed by the fact that some members of the University’s host communities,land grabbers and illegal developers were still encroaching on the institution’s portion of land unabated in spite of the inauguration of the University Community Relations Committee to work out modalities to end perennial boundary problems between the University and the host communities.

He stressed the need for status quo ante to be maintained as Government was working out modalities to ensure that peace and harmony prevails among the host communities and the institution.

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The SSG warned defaulters against erecting any structure on land as Government would not hesitate to demolish such structures.

He noted that as the Chief Security Officer of the State, Governor Udom Emmanuel is a very peaceful person and as such people should not take the peaceful disposition of the Governor for granted, adding that land is vested in the office of the Governor according to the provision of the Land Use Act as enshrined in the constitution.

“There is still encroachment on the University’s land unabated in spite of the fact that the University of Uyo Community Relations Committee was inaugurated by the State Government.

“Therefore, the message to you chairmen of village councils and youth presidents who are members of the committee is that when you get back home,tell whoever you know that has done what he or she ought not to have done on the land to stop forthwith, because such action amount to taking government intervention and position for granted.

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“The governor that we have is a very peaceful person.He likes doing his things following due process peacefully and some people are taking him for granted and that is not fair,” Dr Ekuwem stated.

It would be recalled that the assigned responsilities of the University of Uyo Community Relations Committee inaugurated on June 22, 2020 was, among others term of reference, to ensure that no person trespasses on the disputed land until all issues are amicably resolved between the University and its host communities.

PRESS UNIT
SSG’S OFFICE
JULY 23,2020