The IBIAE Consultative and IBIAE Monitoring and Executive Committee have been inaugurated with a charge to collaborate with Wilmar Plantations Limited to produce an acceptable MOU and ensure a conducive business environment and relationship between the company and Landlord Communities in Biase.
Performing the inauguration ceremony in his office, the Deputy Governor Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu said the constitution of the committee and forum is to serve as a unifying platform for coordinating and protecting the general interest and wellbeing of the Ibiae people.
Professor Esu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Conflict Resolution and Management, Deputy Governor’s Office Ntufam Clement Ntui, enjoined members of the new Committee to see their responsibility as an opportunity to exhibit selfless, team spirit and sacrifice to attract development to Ibiae Communities.
He listed the terms of reference to include, to collaborate with Wilmar Plantations Limited in particular and other corporate entities operating in Ibiae for full implementations of their social responsibilities as approved by government, to liaise between the communities, stakeholders and Wilmar to ensure industrial harmony among others.
The Deputy Governor admonished them to as a matter of priority to produce a working document that will guide their actions as a body while advising them to swing into action to ensure that the objective for which the forum is established are pursued with vigor.
Responding, the Chairman of the consultative Forum, Professor Arikpo B. Arikpo thanked the State Government for the inauguration and express the hope that the forum will work towards bringing lasting peace and unity to the Landlord Communities as well as creating a conducive environment for investors to thrive in Biase.
In his remarks the Chairman of the Ibiae Monitoring and Executive Committee Chief Egbai Egwu Udoh pledged the Committee’s commitment to render effective representation through sound leadership and called on other communities to collaborate with government through donation of land and other facilities to ensure development of their areas.
The Ibiae, Consultative Forum and Ibiae Monitoring and Executive Committee is made of 48 members drawn from the four Landlord Committee viz-a-viz Idoma, Betem, Akpet and Ehom/Igbofia.
Report by: Paulyne Eba
Deputy Gov Press Unit