The people of Ifa Ikot Okpon Community in Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State have cried out to Governor Umo Eno to come to their aid following the demolition of their houses which rendered many families homeless.

Under the aegis of Ikot Okpon Community Development Association, they made the appeal in an open letter to the Governor Umo Eno with a headline, ‘Ifa Ikot Okpon Community Is In Pain (Save Our Souls),’ signed by Edet Udoh as Ppresident, Etim Bassey Offiong, vice president and Mfon Udoh, secretary.

The letter drew the attention of the governor to the demotion of several residential homes, shops and churches by the State’s Ministry of Lands and Town Planning on December 19, 2024 on claims that it was a government’s land, forcing owners of the buildings to become homeless with other valuables destroyed.

According to the community, the said land known as Edem Eko Umana which stretches to Nwomo, (the community’s deity) is their ancestral land where they have lived for over hundred years.

“That the lands said to have been acquired are individual lands and the area is a densely populated area with houses, churches and grocery shops.’ they said

According to them “there is no time in the history of Ifa Ikot Okpon Community that the portion of that land is/was acquired by the state government or its agents, and that there is no document to attest to the fact Edem Eko Umana was/is acquired by any government or its agents and that any document produced now is a conspiracy by the Ministry of Lands.

“That when last the village representatives met with you, then the Commissioner for Lands, now our Governor in 2022, you made a policy statement that since there was no document to prove the legitimate acquisition of that portion of land

“That government has intention not interest and will not come for it anymore. remember the words of the king are his bond.

“That the following tract of lands were taken from Ifa Ikot Okpon Community: Uyo Regional Market, the Timber Market, Osongama Estate, Emili Estate (G and H block) which are vast enough to accommodate EFCC, Judiciary quarters, Police station and other intending projects within.

“That by forcefully ejecting Ifa from their ancestral home, thereby subjugating them to untold suffering and mourning, was not part of the social covenant and responsibility you made during your electioneering.

“That in the Land Use Act, the procedure for government to acquire lands from the citizens or overriding public interest is well spelt out, not a secret process or a process stepped in confusion or speculation.

“That on 19th December, 2024, Ministry of Lands and its agents embarked on demolition of people houses where they live for over hundred years without giving them notice and paying compensation.”

They however, called on the governor to see their tears as another opportunity to further cement his amiable reputation as a forthright governor, to right the wrongs, create goodwill among the governed in his unwavering drive to build the Akwa Ibom state of their dream.