[LG Reports] MKPAT ENIN DECIDES: "Ukpum Minya Ward IV Lays Claim to Chairmanship"

By Bobby Brown

As the current local governments’ administration in the state is winding down to give way for the emergence of a new administration, the people of Ukpum Minya Ward IV in Mkpat Enin local government solicits support from other clans/wards in 'chairmanship' of the local government come next local government elections as it will be their turn to produce the council helmsman following the age long zoning system of the area.

The position was contained in a communiqué reached at the end of the 2nd Consolidation Meeting of Ukpum Minya IV held on May 16, 2015 at Mkpat Enin Civic Centre. According to the communiqué, although Ukpum Minya as a clan has clinched the chairmanship position twice just like Ikpa Ibom and Ibiaku clans, Ward IV of Ukpum Minya has never produced a any elected council chairman, member state or national assembly since creation of Mkpat Enin on May 3, 1989.

A brief history on the rotation of chairmanship position in Mkpat Enin since its creation reveals that Chief Stephen A. Ikpim (Ikpa Ibom) was chairman between May 1989 and July 1989; Mkpat Enin was under the administration of Dr. Gabriel Ukpim from Oruk Anam between July 1989 and January 1991 before Chief Richard Umoren (Ukpum Minya III) took over as chairman between January 1991 and November 1993.

Maj. Anthony Usoro (Rtd.) (Ukpum Minya III) was chairman between April 1994 and March 1996; Elder Joe Udobia (Ikpa Ibom) was chairman between March 1996 and August 1996; Bar. Aniefiok Udo Akpan (Ibiaku) was chairman between April 1997 and July 1998 while Akparawa Udosam Umoattan (Ukpum Minya II) was chairman between June 1999 and August 2002.

It is on record that the late Sir Maurice Ebe (Ukpum Minya I) was also a transition chairman in 2003; Bar. Ekong Sampson (Ikpa Ikono) was chairman between July 2003 and February 2004; Hon. Imo Udobia (Ikpa Ibom) was appointed caretaker chairman between March 2004 and April 2004; Bar. Ekong Sampson (Ikpa Ikono) took over again between May 2004 and April 2007; while Rt. Hon. Udobong Ekpo ran the affairs of council from April 2007 to June 2007.

Mr. Ubong Inyang was also a transition chairman between June 2007 and June 2008 (ukpum4) . Hon. Mfon Nkanteen (Ikpa Ibom) was chairman between June 2008 and September 2011; Mr. Ubong Ekefre (Ukpum Minya III) was appointed caretaker chairman between October 2011 and June 2012; while Hon. Ephraim Akpan (Ibiaku) was elected chairman from July 2012 till date.

A part of the communiqué reads;
“That since the creation of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area on 3rd May 1989 Ukpum Minya IV which is the seat of government and comprises five villages of Mkpat Enin, Ikot Ekpe, Ikot Abasi Ufon, Ikot Obio Akwa and Nung Ukim, has NEVER produced an elected chairman of the local government.

“That since the next local government chairmanship position has been zoned to Ukpum Minya Clan, it is the turn of Ward IV to produce an elected local government chairman for the first time since the creation of Mkpat Enin as other Wards in the Clan have already had their turn”.

According to the people, their inability to produce an elected council chairman or clinch any significant political position in the state is responsible for the deplorable state of facilities In the area, adding that such facilities like the Community Secondary School, Mkpat Enin, Housing Units, markets & roads are facing imminent collapse.