A few days after sending emissaries to warring Idomi and Ugep communities in the Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, where their royal fathers expressed commitment to peace, a member of the House of Representatives, Dr Alex Egbona, has personally visited the communities to cement the peace talks.
During the visit to the traditional heads of Ugep and Idomi-the Obol Lopon Ugep, HRM Ofem Ubana Eteng and his Idomi counterpart, Obol Ofem Edet-Egbona said he was interested in the peace of Idomi and Ugep and challenged the people of the two communities to make it happen.
He said “without peace, all the development projects earmarked for you people won’t see the light of day. There are many projects listed in this year’s budget for the good of these communities.
“If you fight, those coming to undertake the projects won’t be willing to come. Development will be stunted. Progress will be at a stand still. At the end of the day, you will be the one to suffer.
“That is why I am here. I want to beg you, please let there be peace. Live and let’s live. Avoid rancour and acrimony. Avoid bitterness, it does not pay. The more you fight and destroy lives and property, the more your communities will be backward. So, let there be peace.”
In response, the Obol Lopon Idomi thanked Egbona for his concern for the peace and development of their land. He said as a retired army officer, having travelled far and wide to achieve peace in other places, he could not sit and watch his own community go up in flames.
Egbona also met with youths of Idomi, where he also preached peace to them. He said he was not in their domain for politics, but to plead with them to avoid anything that would lead to fracas.
