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History
Esit Eket Local Government Area was created in 1989 by the Local Government (Basic Constitutional and Transitional Provision Decree No. 15 of 1989). Prior to this historic political exercise, the geographical area now called Esit Eket was part of Uquo Ibeno Local Government Area. Esit Eket Local Government Area is presently made up to two clans namely: Eket Offiong and Eket Afaha, which are held together by common tradition, customs and ancestry relationship.
The Local Government Headquarters is at Uquo. There are 23 recognized villages in the local government area, although some omitted villages are yet to be gazetted. These villages are spread across the three geo-political zones making up of Uquo and the development zones A, B and C.
Zone A is made up of Wards 1, 2 and 3; Zone B is made up of Wards 4, 5, 6 and 9 while Zone C is made up of Wards 7, 8 and 10.
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People
With a projected population of about 117,300 (1991 Census projection) the local government area has one distinct ethnic group, Esit Ekid. This group is put under the jurisdiction of one customary court area of Uquo. The name of the Local Government Area is derived from this court area. The people live in large families and communities. They are dynamic and very resourceful. The major dialect is Ekid.
The people are predominantly of the Christian faith although some forms of traditional African religion is practiced by a negligible minority. The orthodox Christian churches that operate in the area include Qua Iboe, Roman Catholic, the Apostolic and Lutheran Churches.
Culture
The socio-cultural and traditional life of the people of Esit Eket local government is well displayed in dances, songs, plays and mythology, oracles, cults and festivals.
The picturesque representations of these are manifested in Ekpe masquerade and in traditional dances, story- telling and plays. There are many other types of plays some of which are mere pastimes, some associated with worship, some with warfare, while others are purely cultic. These plays include Ekpe, Ekong, Obon, Ekong Isong, Nyoho, Akata, Ntok Odio Odio, Atia Ata, Ebre and Ikara. There are also taboos and totems, some of which are no longer observed because of the influence of Christianity.
The principal deities in Esit Eket include the Atara, Akuki, Yokho, Nsoabasi, Idim Itiet, and Isemin Odiong. Each of these presides over a number of patheons and has a messenger popularly called Nsong Edoho.
The deities are still regarded as protectors and keepers of peace and order in the society. Eventhough deity worship is minimal, some people still regard these deities as the pervading and guiding spirit in the communities.
Population
| Males | Females | TOTAL: | | 33,942 | 29,759 | 63,701 | | * Source: 2006 National Census |
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- Newly Renovated Esit Eket Local Government Guest House
- Renovation of Eslt Eket Local Government Works/ SSS Office and provision of toilet facility.
- Renovation and construction of Eslt Eket Local Government Pavilion in the Sport Stadium.
- Construction of generating House I Installation of 500KVA Generator
- Renovation of chairman`s quarters and construction of boys quarters within the chairman`s quarter.
- Construction of fertilizer storage depot
- Construction of five (5) rooms Female VIP public toilet
- Construction of five (5) rooms Male VIP public toilet
- Construction of new 10 rooms office blocks in the local Government Secretariat.
- Fencing of Local Government secretariat I provision of second gate.
- Renovation I tilling of the Paramount Ruler`s palace
- Renovation of Eslt Eket Local Government viewing Centre
- Restoration of electricity In Eslt Eket Local Government Area.
- Rehabilitation of 20 thousand gallons capacity water project/drilling of borehole and reticulation of waters in all toilets within council office.
ESIT EKET In The News
| Mar, 12 2011: Akpabio Charges Federal Government on Roads...more | | Sep, 14 2009: State Govt Called to Reactivate AkwaPalm Industries...more | | Jun, 10 2009: UNICEF re-appoints Kanu...more | | Oct, 24 2008: Youths Told To Inculcate High Moral Values...more |
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Geography
The Area situates at the extreme South of Akwa Ibom State and extends across the South Eastern shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
| Climate
Eket is within the tropical zone and is therefore influenced by the two principal climatic conditions – the dry and rainy seasons. The dominant vegetation of the local government area, by virtue of its location is the mangrove swamp forest. In the hinterland, the green foliage of trees and shrubs is inter- spaced with the erect and numerous trunks of oil and raffia palms as well as coconut trees.
There are two distinguished ecological zones. The marshy land of the ocean washed and river-washed areas of Ntak Inyang, Odoro Nkit, etc. and the flat or low- lying areas of Etebi, Uquo and Edo, etc. The entire area is drained by the Qua Iboe River and its major tributaries – the Stubbs/Widenham Creek.
| Commerce
Predominantly farmers, fishermen and a considerable number in trading like their Ibeno neighbours. They are actively involved in the oil industry downstream operation.
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