Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, and Head of Delta State Orientation Bureau, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, has attributed the finality of peaceful resolution of the over two decades Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute in Udu and Warri South West Local Government Areas of the state, to the uncommon foresight and astute leadership craft of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Oghenesivbe made the assertion while speaking to newsmen on Friday, saying that the enhanced peace and security encapsulated in the MORE Agenda of the governor, has started yielding tremendous results, describing the final peace accord signed between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities as a welcome development, and an unforgettable core legacy of Oborevwori administration.
He noted that the crisis resisted all known alternative dispute resolution mechanisms until Governor Oborevwori, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, took proactive steps by adopting previous undisputed land agreements, and more importantly, acquired the encumbered boundary areas between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities.
Oghenesivbe further explained that the state government’s deliberate acquisition of the disputed boundary areas of the two communities as directed by governor Oborevwori, finally nailed the deal, thereby ending the over two decades land dispute which consistently defiled genuine efforts of previous administrations since the creation of Delta State.
He commended the pragmatic leadership style of Governor Oborevwori, which resonated in the entire peace process, and for working tirelessly with traditional rulers, security agencies, senior government officials, stakeholders and community leaders to ensure that peace was finally restored to Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities.
The EA Communications appealed to citizens of the state to sustain their unalloyed support for the governor, pray for unhindered peace and smooth implementation of the MORE agenda meant to upscale socioeconomic and infrastructure development of Delta State.
And on Okuama Killings which have generated tensions and attracted national focus, Oghenesivbe lamented the unfortunate incident, as well as the humanitarian and socioeconomic negative effects in the affected communities.
He assured that the ongoing investigations by the AVM David Ajayi-led military board of enquiry shall unravel the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate killings of soldiers and civilians, adding that at the appropriate time, governor Oborevwori and the state government shall do the needful to restore socioeconomic activities to Okuama community.
He pointed out that the governor handled the Okuama crisis with deep reasoning and well-calculated diplomacy, tact and maturity, noting that the unforeseeable incident came as a rude shock and a major distraction from the governor’s tenacious focus on socioeconomic and infrastructure development across the senatorial districts.
He disclosed that inspection of ongoing projects was stopped temporarily as the governor tactically engaged the Presidency and the military high command in respect of the incident, adding that Governor Oborevwori has again commenced project inspection in preparation for his first anniversary in office.
“It’s heartwarming that our indefatigable and pragmatic leader and governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has finally added another feather to his cap by resolving the over two decades Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute.
“The prolonged crisis had defiled all known alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by previous administrations in the state. But this is God’s appointed time, and the governor with excessive local content, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, got it right.
“Deltans are very happy. The game changer in the dispute was government acquisition of the disputed boundary areas between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities. It settled the land ownership lacuna between the parties.
“Governor Oborevwori worked round the clock with SSG Delta, traditional rulers, Special Adviser to the Governor on peace and conflict resolution, security agencies and major stakeholders to finally resolve the dispute.
“The two communities of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh shall henceforth live peacefully together, and side by side. Peaceful coexistence is now a confirmed reality between the parties.
“Well-meaning Deltans have been commending Governor Oborevwori for working tirelessly to restore permanent peace to the once-waring communities of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh. This is what good governance and visionary leadership is all about,” Oghenesivbe said.
