THE CONTEST AGAINST THE RELOCATION OF IBAKA DEEP SEA PORT (IDSP): MATTERS - ARISING

 THE CONTEST AGAINST THE RELOCATION OF IBAKA DEEP SEA PORT (IDSP): MATTERS - ARISING 

I have keenly followed the issues arising from the vexed contest against the relocation of Ibaka Deep Sea Port, a rare happening in very recent time in Oro Nation. This show of unity, togetherness and commitment rekindling Oro known age long ‘Afangkism’ and ‘Oroism’ philosophical tenets has been inspired by our indefatigable Engr. Okon  Nkpubre, the worthy and celebrated Chairman of Oro Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep Sea Port (Techcom on Ibaka Deep Sea Port). 

I am seriously compelled to write these critical views of mine to join in advising my people of Oro Nation against allowing internal bickering to divide us at the point when victory against sustained oppression and injustice, and at the time the whole world is beginning to understand why the people of Oro have to frontally and fiercely contest this anomaly.

Let me highlight and address the Matters - arising for ease of understanding as follows: 

PGOU AS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR ORO NATION:

It is true that the Constitution of Oron Union gives the PGOU the power to speak for Oro Nation but the Constitution did not say that the PGOU is the only person who must speak for Oro Nation. The Constitution did not specifically ban any other Oro person from speaking on any matter affecting Oro people. It would be absolutely impracticable to interpret the OU Constitution to mean so, especially, when there is a greater possibility for the PGOU to speak amiss where thorough consultations are not made by him and the necessary structures such as relevant committees of the Union that should have aided him in taking some critical decisions are not put in place for this purpose by him.  One can well imagine what would happen when only a ‘tyrant’ PGOU remains the only spokesperson for Oro Nation.

It was therefore wrong for the PGOU to question the authority of the ‘Oro Leaders of Thoughts’ who went to meet with the Executive Governor. However, since the PGOU has denied the Communique purported to have been issued by him, let us ignore the claim and move on.

THE MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR:

When I contacted Engr. Nkpubre to know why he did not attend the meeting with the Executive Governor, he told me that the timing of the meeting was strategically not right. He was of the opinion that even though he was the one whose life was being threatened, the escalation of the controversy over Ibaka Deep Sea Port relocation and Dugout Port controversy was in the interest of the Oro struggles and halting the escalation was in the interest of the Executive Governor. I tend to agree with him. Looking at this reason critically, where would Oro Nation have had the money to fund the national and international publicity that the Ibaka Deep Sea Port controversy has received which has caused the Executive Governor to deny the relocation, and the Dugout Port. It’s my belief, if we had allowed the controversy to escalate the more, the outcome could have been more profound and rewarding to addressing the backlog of Oro travails in Akwa Ibom State.  

THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR:

The outcome of the meeting to me was very positive for Oro Nation, and I thank God Almighty for this. For the first time in recent times, we saw the Executive Governor posing for a group photograph with representatives of Oro people. He appeared humbled. The Executive Governor's denial of the relocation, and the Dugout Port in the presence of his Honourable Commissioners and representatives of Oro people in contradiction to available documentary evidence is a big victory to Oro Nation. It is commendable that our smart Media Team led by Joe Atainyang has made the story of the Dugout Port denial by the Executive Governor and its implications go viral. This indeed is a true ‘Oroism’ spirit.

However, one important issue the team which met with the Executive Governor failed or neglected to address was the call for arrest of Engr. Okon Nkpubre who was speaking in defence of Oro Nation on the Deep Sea Port controversy.  He never created any platform of his own to do this but had the mandate of the Oro people through a platform created and constituted for this singular purpose by Oro people. The representatives of Oro people on this visit should have seized the opportunity to hand over his protection and safety to the Executive Governor considering the extent and the publicity given to the outbursts in this respect. As the PG of Okuko Development League (ODL), an apex organization of the people of Okuko in Urueoffong/ Oruko LGA, I seize this opportunity to hand over the protection and safety of our eminent son, Engr. Okon Nkpubre whom we very much cherish and hold at high esteem to the Traditional Rulers and the entire people of Oro Nation.  

“ORO LEADERS OF THOUGHTS” CONTROVERSY: 

In Oro Nation, we have Elders Committees in Oro Union both at the Central and Branches.  We also have Oro Think Tank (OTT), Chaired by our amiable son, Hon. Prince Chris Abasieyo (Crown Prince). We recognise Oro Steering Committee (OSC), Chaired by our distinguished father, HE Amb. Etim U. Uye (Ikpoto Oro). The team that met with the Executive Governor could have adopted any of these existing groups known to Oro people to operate with and embark on the visit. To adopt and use the name of a ‘strange group’ not known to Oro people is not ‘tidy’. How can Oro people be fighting ‘untidy arrangements/ processes’ outside Oro and only return home to perpetuate the same. 

What is most disturbing to me is the information that the reason why the group that met with the Executive Governor adopted the non-existent “Oro Leaders of Thoughts” is because they wanted to be seen as a Neutral Group intervening between those fighting for Oro Nation and the State Government. How can any Oro group fighting a just cause claim neutrality in the fight by Oro Nation against sustained deprivation, marginalization and unbridled subjugation of Oro Nation by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.  

When Edwin Clark went with Chiefs of Niger-Delta to see President Buhari during the disruption of Oil production by Niger-Delta Militants, they did not go there as a Neutral Group to intervene. They went there to reinforce the demands of the Niger-Delta people and when they returned home, these demands were compiled in writing and sent to President Buhari as a condition for enduring peace in the Niger-Delta Region.

SELECTION OF FOUR ORO PEOPLE INTO THE DEEP SEA PORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE: 

I sincerely thank the Executive Governor who in his wisdom decided to add additional four Oro people into the Implementation Committee when we already have two highly placed Oro people in the Committee, in the persons of SSG and our Senator who should have been very influential in protecting the interest of Oro Nation. This is indeed a ‘show of love’ by the Executive Governor. However, if we must send the four people, they must be people who we know had passionately spoken or written against the relocation and the option of a dugout port. It will be sacrilegious to send Oro people who were sitting on the fence or outrightly were against the agitation of the Oro Technical Committee. In this selection process, Engr. Okon Nkpubre (Chairman, Oro Tech. Comm.) should be fully involved and also lead in the entire process to select the four Oro people to join the Implementation Committee. He knows those who were supporting the fight either openly or discreetly. Those selected must be given clear Terms of Reference (ToR) to defend Oro position as articulated by Oro Technical Committee on Ibaka Deep Sea Port. 

THE WAY FORWARD:

I sincerely request that Obio Iffong Isong Oro (OIIO) (formerly, COTR) which has a traditional authority in Oro Nation should urgently direct “Oro Leaders of Thoughts” to stay further action on the use of the non-existing group which is not in the recognised structure of Oro Nation so as to prevent unnecessary proliferation of groups in Oro Nation with duplicated functions and responsibilities. I pray, and earnestly appeal to Obio Iffong Isong Oro (OIIO) to act urgently on the issues raised above to avert and halt Oro drifting perpetually to the abyss (May God forbid!). 

Sir Inyang Atting (Olukhoo), KJW, JP, PhD

(Writes from Okuko Eyo Ating, Urueoffong/ Oruko LGA)