Delta State Government says it has resolved the lingering boundary dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities in Udu and Warri South West Local Government Areas.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, disclosed this at an enlarged stakeholder meeting on the Aladja- Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute held in Asaba the State Capital.
At the meeting, Dr. Emu gave a background of the conflict noting that past administrations Military and Civilian had tried to intervene by setting up various panels of inquiries to settle the issue.
He added that the efforts which included private private initiatives by some eminent Deltans to mediate the crises, all unfortunately did not yield the desired results.
The SSG also highlighted the effort of the immediate past administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa 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 said 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 that they refused to accept the demarcation from the point up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal.
The SSG said, the Governor Oborevwori-led administration, disturbed by the enduring 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 Resolutions and the Ministry of Justice brokered a dialogue between the youth leaders and other stakeholders of both Communities where far-reaching resolutions were taken at the two-day consultation meeting with the communities.
The SSG said the outcome of the engagement with the youths led to an enlarged stakeholders meeting.
He reiterated that the administration of Governor Sherrif Oberevwori remained committed to the course of development across the state, and for which peace is an indispensable factor.
The SSG stated that the State Government has resolved that the boundary line already established by the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution and his Team that leads from Warri River up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal is upheld by the government adding that the State Government has acquired the remaining portion of the disputed territory which starts from Major General Dumeje Canal as a reserve, stating that a gazette will be issued in due course.
Representatives of the Pere of Ogbe-ijoh kingdom in Warri South West, Chief Anthony Jolomo and his Counterpart from Aladja represented by Chief Otto Ogbiruruete commended the State government for convening the meeting and called for prompt implementation of the resolutions.
They observe that delays in implementing previous peace initiatives gave room for the dispute to linger.
Representative of the Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, the Obuzor of Ibuzor, reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence of communities in the State.
He called on Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities to sustain the peace brokered between them by the State government.
The meeting had in attendance the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Agbateyiniro Weyinmi, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, Special Adviser on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Lyna Ochulor, representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Commissioner of Police and the Commanding Officer, Amphibious Battalion Warri, amongst other government functionaries.
