George Odok|3 April 2017
In the last two months, the main revenue source of Boki Local Government Area has been in disarray over the struggle for supremacy in who controls the oil rich Boki palm estate.
What started like a joke turned out to claim the life of one Bukie Etta as youths from Okubushuyu engaged men of the Nigerian Police in a gun duel. The four landlord communities of the palm estate, Osokom, Irruan, Borum and Oku have been divided among itself as some of the plot owners now pay loyalty to factional leaders perceived to be at the fore-front of the crisis.
Since the dead of Bukie Etta, some youths from Okubushuyu are still camping in the forests for fear of arrest while a larged number of them are in detention at the state police command in Calabar.
The major actors of the crisis are not giving up, they are bent on getting the governor's nod in other to take full control of the estate.
According to history, the estate was established in 1962 and it has 400 plots. Royalties from this estate was used in building the Boki Comprehensive Secondary School in Okundi.
As it stands now, there is so much tension and anxiety, because Okubushuyu youths are either arrested or beaten daily.
In view of all these, the state government has not uttered any word with a view of finding lasting solution to the mayhem in the estate.
During the week, the Obol Lopon of Ugep openly said that the fourth coming local government election will not be held in the area unless the state government complete's the ongoing building of the Institute of Technology and Management. This courageous statement is commendable.
Stakeholders ranging from the political class, businessman and women, religious and traditional rulers, youths and all an sundry should rise up and demand for the restoration of peace in the Boki oil palm estate and unity among the landlord communities before the conduct of local government election can be held in the area. It is time to keep politics and sentiments apart and foster unity and peace among our communities.
Youths from these communities should be ready to surrender their arms and embrace peace for the sake of prosperity and unity. Fumming crisis is never an alternative, but meaningful dialogue heal wounds. Politicians on their part should see their appointments as a call to service and not to fan embers of dis-unity among the people because development can only thrive in a peaceful region.
The time to talk is now because i am ready to publish such a communique with utmost interest.
The unity and peace of that rich oil palm estate should be our primary concern.
George Odok
Is a Senior Defense Correspondent with News Agency Of Nigeria (NANS)
