Monday June 15, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Enemy Brandy
The Ibeno Clan Council has condemned what it described as a “dangerous and misleading” publication by one Isaac Inwang regarding the location of the BUA Refinery Project which is located in Ibeno LGA and urge the state government and security agencies to investigate those trying to sow the discord.
The Council said the publication was an attempt to create a false impression that Ibeno people were opposed to development and investments, warning that such narratives could damage the community’s image and discourage prospective investors from coming to Akwa Ibom State.
In a press statement issued by the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia on Monday at Upenekang, the stakeholders expressed concern that, the write-up appeared to expose a long-standing conspiracy to portray Ibeno as hostile to development.
“The narrative is not only false but also capable of damaging the hard earned reputation of Ibeno as investors heaven and discouraging investment in Akwa Ibom State,” the statement said.
The Council noted that, the timing of the publication was particularly troubling, especially as the state government intensifies efforts to attract major investments that would drive economic growth and create employment opportunities.
According to the statement, authorities should carefully examine the content, motives and circumstances surrounding the publication to determine whether it was merely an individual opinion or part of a broader effort to sow seeds of discord between Ibeno and her neighbors and undermine the peaceful reputation of Ibeno.
The Council specifically called for Isaac Inwang, who is said to reside outside the state, to be invited by appropriate authorities to clarify the claims made in his write-up and explain whose interests his statements represented.
“It is important to establish whether the publication is merely an opinion or part of a wider attempt to create unnecessary tension, scare away investors from the area, the statement added.
Reaffirming its position on development, the Ibeno Clan Council stressed that the Ibeno had never opposed investments or economic growth initiatives but rather paid huge price to become investors destination.
The Council described the BUA Refinery Project as a strategic investment that enjoys the support of Ibeno people because of its potential benefits to the host community, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.
It further pledged its commitment to the Akwa Ibom State government and collaborating with genuine stakeholders to safeguard the peaceful environment that has continued to attract investors to the area.
The statement lamented that, while many communities were actively promoting themselves as investment destinations, some individuals appeared determined to portray Ibeno as a hostile environment.
“Ibeno has paid a huge price to maintain peace, and that peace has attracted investors and development,” the Council stated.
It also pointed out that the alternative location suggested by Inwang have hosted several development projects without opposition from Ibeno, emphasizing that the Ibeno believes development anywhere in Akwa Ibom State ultimately benefits everyone.
The Council, however, warned against allowing any individual or group to employ misleading narratives to try to jeopardize the peace in Ibeno by creating division among neighbouring communities or threaten the state’s investment reputation.
It stated that, this was how Akwa Ibom State particularly Ibeno, suffered a major economic setback in 1990, when the Oso Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) project, whose gas resources originate offshore Akwa Ibom, was designed to be processed and exported from Bonny Island in Rivers State instead of Ibeno.
They added that, the Oso field is located near the Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom, but a 42-miles pipeline was built to transport the NGL to Bonny for processing, storage and export, due to unnecessary squabbles by the people.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that Ibeno remains peaceful, welcoming and open to genuine partnerships, while urging Akwa Ibom people to reject narratives capable of breeding unnecessary conflict and instead embrace unity, development and progress.
