The Unyenge Proposed Local Government Movement (UPLGM) has said the agitation for the creation of the local government is predicated on it’s strategic coastal location, population, geographical spread and growing development needs.
The proposed council is to be carved out of the present Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and included in the proposed Obolo State.
Convener of the movement, Harry Johnson, said the proposed council would bring governance closer to the people, and also provide an administrative framework for harnessing the area’s natural resources and economic opportunities.
In a statement on Wednesday, the group said Unyenge’s access to the Atlantic coastline offers significant opportunities in fishing, maritime commerce, trade and related activities.
It identified the Stubb Creek area as an important ecological and economic asset capable of supporting sustainable development, while also citing oil and gas activities as evidence of Unyenge’s economic importance and investment potential.
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It named Savannah Energy Resources Limited, Universal Energy Resources Limited and Tulcan Oil & Gas Exploration/Production, among companies operating or having interests in the area.
According to the group, activities associated with OML 14 and Stubb Creek further demonstrate the area’s contribution to the energy sector.
The movement also mentioned Shimoa Mining Investment Limited, a Chinese company which it said extracts substantial quantities of black sand in Unyenge.
Beyond oil and mining, the group said fishing, farming, timber and trading remained major economic activities supporting livelihoods across the communities.
It argued that the combination of natural resources, commercial activities and coastal access justified the creation of a separate local government.
“Unyenge’s economic activities and natural resources require a governance structure capable of responding directly to the needs of the people,” it said.
The movement further pointed to the proposed Ibaka Deep Seaport as a potential catalyst for economic growth across the coastal corridor.
It said Unyenge could benefit from increased maritime activities, investment, trade and employment opportunities arising from the development.
The group, however, stressed that effective planning, infrastructure and appropriate government institutions would be required to convert the opportunities into tangible benefits.
It said a new local government would provide an administrative platform for attracting investment, improving infrastructure and coordinating development.
According to the movement, many communities in the proposed council depend largely on fishing, farming, trading and other rural economic activities.
It maintained that a separate administrative structure would improve access to government services, infrastructure and development programmes.
The movement also linked the proposal to improved security through stronger coordination between communities and security agencies.
Johnson urged the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to consider the demand as discussions on new local governments and Obolo State continue.
