DELTA GOVT BROKERS PEACE BETWEEN ALADJA, OGBE-IJOH COMMUNITIES

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By Oghenero Orovwuje 

The lingering boundary dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities has been resolved by the Delta State Government. 

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, made this known at an enlarged stakeholders meeting on the Aladja – Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute held in his office in Asaba.

Dr. Emu, who gave a background history of the conflict, noted that past administrations of the state (Military and Civilian) had tried to intervene by setting up various panels of inquiry, including the Justice Azinge Inquiry of 1996, Justice Nwulu Inquiry of 2009, and Prof. Ekoko Panel of 2016 to settle the issue, to no avail.

He stated that there was also a private initiative by some eminent Deltans to mediate  the crises, which was led by Chief Edwin Ekpoko, but unfortunately, their efforts did not yield the desired results.

The SSG said the immediate past administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa also made efforts to resolve the conflict through the Office of the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, which had officials of the Ministries of Lands and Survey, Justice, representatives of both communities, and Chairmen of the Councils at that time.

He noted that the Team made good progress by demarcating the boundaries between the two communities from Warri River up to Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja road to the satisfaction of both communities, but the demarcation from this point up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal, was not acceptable to them.

Dr. Emu said at that point, after further consultations, the Team worked with the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly to re-align the line of division for this particular segment of the boundary.

The SSG said the present administration, disturbed by the intractable stalemate on the dispute through the Ministry of Youth Development, in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Ministry of Justice, brokered a dialogue between the youth leaders and other stakeholders of both communities who presented 12 representatives each.

Dr. Emu stated that far reaching resolutions were taken at the two-day consultative meeting with the communities where it was agreed that they should go home and meet with critical segments of their communities and come out with unanimous resolutions and recommendations, which would be binding on them and they were to revert back to the government on the collective resolutions of their communities. 

The SSG said the outcome of this engagement with the youths was what led to the enlarged stakeholders meeting and reiterated that the Oberevwori administration remained strongly committed to developing all parts of the state, for which peace was an indispensable factor.

He further stated that it was the position of the government  that the meeting with them would be the last mediation effort to resolve the boundary dispute and free up the area for development and freedom to thrive, noting that the government was not willing to play politics with life and property. 

In conclusion, the SSG said the State Government had resolved that the boundary line already established by the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution and his Team leading from Warri River up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal was upheld by government.

Dr. Emu equally stated that the State Government had acquired the remaining portion of the disputed territory, starting from Major General Dumeje Canal, as a reserve, stating that a gazette would be issued in due course to that effect, which would provide the survey description of the area and that Governor Sheriff  Oborevwori would make a proclamation on the acquisition. 

In their remarks the representative of the Pere of Ogbe-ijoh  kingdom in Warri South West, High Chief Anthony Jolomo and two others who spoke for the community, commended the State Government for convening the instant meeting  and urged government not to hesitate to implement its resolutions, as the delay in implementing the recommendations of previous  peace initiatives contributed to non resolution of the dispute 

Similarly in his remarks, the representative of the traditional ruler of Aladja, Chief Otto Ogbiruruets, and Chief Paulson Obiebi, expressed their happiness for the instant meeting, noting that it was the first sign of very positive action on the part of government to end the dispute, but observed that sincerity should be upheld by both sides for lasting peace to be achieved. 

In his goodwill message, the Obuzor of Ibusa,vObi (Prof) Louis Nwoboshi, who represented the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, also reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence of communities in the state, while calling on Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities to sustain the peace brokered between them by the state government. 

At the end of the meeting, the SSG thanked the Governor, Rt Hon Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, for his commitment, consistency, objectivity and political will power to deliver on the peace process in the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute. 

The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Agbateyiniro Weyinmi, the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Vincent Oyibode, Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Lyna Ochulor.

Also in attendance were the Director General Security, Hon David Tonwe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Ms Ngozi Mgbolu, representative of the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), representative of the Commissioner of Police and the representative of the Commanding Officer, Amphibious Battalion, Warri, among others.

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