Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has signed nine certificates of recognition to one Paramount Ruler and eight clan Heads as part of activities to mark the 35th anniversary of the state’s creation.
Presenting the certificates to the Royal Fathers in Uyo on Saturday, Governor Emmanuel warned the monarchs and local government chairmen in the state to steer clear of boundary delineations in their domains
He charged them to endeavour to operate within the ambit of the law and permissible boundary of their offices in the discharge of their duties.
The Chiefs sworn in with staff of office were the Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Udoette Edon and nine Clan Heads from Abak , Uyo, Essien Udim , Obot Akara, Urue Offong Oruko and Mbo council areas respectively.
Governor Emmanuel appreciated the contributions and support of the traditional institution to the success of his administration and congratulated the newly sworn-in Royal Fathers.
He further tasked them to be guided by their oath of office in carrying out their functions and passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, for always delivering on the mandate of his office without fail.
On issues of interventions in land disputes, the governor explained that the ownership of every land within the state, by law, resides with the governor and cautioned council chairmen, Paramount Rulers and other traditional rulers against making pronouncements that should not be made by any other outside the office of the governor or use the privilege of their office to cause disharmony among communities in the state.
In his words, “every single piece of land in the state is entrusted in the governor, not in the Paramount Ruler. No Paramount Ruler has any right to make pronunciations about boundaries except the state governor.
“So please let no Paramount Ruler cause confusion, please, let nobody disturb the peace of this state because of selfish interest. Let’s continue to live in peace and harmony.
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“If you have any issue, let the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs know and from there, I’ll know immediately and then the Attorney General will come in and we take it through the right law. Please don’t go and make any pronunciations that are not allowed”.
He said no local government chairman has the right to delineate boundaries of his area and warned that if such is done, they were not fit to hold the office.
“I also want to caution; no Local Government Chairman has the right to delineate the boundary of any Local Government Area or any state. If you do that, it means you are not fit to hold that office and I’m sure the law would take its course” the governor added.
Governor Emmanuel sued for synergy between local government and the traditional institutions and warned traditional rulers at all levels from village heads upwards to accord due respect to those higher in hierarchy.
He reiterated that local government chairmen are the closest to the traditional institution and should do everything possible to accord the institution due regard and recognition as stipulated by law and help bridge the gap between them and the state government.
The Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, expressed happiness as the Royal Fathers celebrate with Governor Emmanuel, adding that the new frontiers of economic development, peace, unity and prosperity of the state have been established in the last 35 years.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the governor for giving the traditional fathers their pride of place and assured that the traditional rulers will continue to play the role of maintaining peace in their various domains.
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