BY SAM DUVWODE
The delta State Government has called on communities to maintain peace, as it is committed to proffering lasting solutions to any boundary and land disputes in the state. The state government also called on security agencies to ensure that there is law and order across all communities in Delta State.
The State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, who is also the Chairman, Delta State Boundary Committee, made the call, yesterday, in his office at Asaba during separate meetings held with leaders from Ugboba and Obomkpa communities, both in Aniocha North Local Government Area and Issele-Asaba community (Akpoma quarters) in Aniocha North Local Government Area and Okpanam (Ogbeozoma and Amachi quarters) in Oshimilli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
Sir Onyeme noted that it was the priority of the state government to ensure that peace prevails in all parts of the state. According to him, “I want to assure everyone that one of the cardinal policies of this administration is to enhancing peace and security because when we achieve that, every other thing will follow.
“Without peace, there cannot be meaningful development, without peace there cannot be opportunities. There cannot be reforms, except there is peace and security and we as a government are very serious about it”.
Sir Onyeme noted that the state boundary committee’s technical team will within the next three weeks visit the Ugboba and Ugbomkpa communities, as well as the Issele-Asaba and Okpanam communities and look at the issues presented before the state government. “We will bring in our technical team to look at what you are saying. Solutions must be provided and that is what the government is saying. Every community wants peace and we on the government side wants peace because that is the only way we can move forward as a people”.
“For the fact that all parties involved have been writing to the government shows that we all want a solution to the issue and a solution we must provide. Because we are all part of Delta State and if there is a problem in any part of the state, the state will not be settled and there will be inquiries from higher authority, talking about the federal government, and we don’t want that”.
“We did not come to governance just to seat down and watch our citizens start suffering. We are here to provide solutions to our people and we are here to be fair to everybody.
“I want us to approach things with fairness, and remain calm while we look for solutions to the issues at hand, we should be realistic about the existence of each other as a people. Nations emerged over the years, Nigeria that we have today at a certain time was not existing as Nigeria. I have seen nations created. We cannot say this is the way it is and it must be like that, when we don’t even know what lies in the future. So we must be careful and be fair to each other”.
“As a modern person, I cannot say the kingdom that was created in the 13th century must remain, as it was created forever, society evolves and the only thing that is constant is that change”.
“I want you to submit all relevant documents because as a government, we must use documents and at the same time we will look at the reality on ground and try to provide what we think will be satisfactory to everyone so that we will continue to enjoy peace in our lands”. Sir Onyeme said.
The deputy governor cautioned that the State government will not tolerate any form of hostility and civil unrest caused by any community. He noted that, the security agents have the backing of the government to ensure that law and order was maintained in the communities. “Government advice and instruction is for all to maintain the peace and we should not do anything that will increase tensions in the community while the government will send its experts to look at the issue and find solutions to it”. Sir Onyeme stated.
Also, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP, Olufemi Abaniwonda who was represented by ACP Alex Udeze advised all communities to maintain peace, while the Delta state government proffer solution to all the issues at stake. The Police Commissioner warns that security agents will not fail to enforce law and order and bring to book anyone trying to cause crises in the communities and the State at large.
Earlier in their various presentation, His Royal Majesty, Ezedinbu Nkebakwu 111, the Obi of Ugboba and His Royal Majesty, Obi Onyemechi Kanyinaga, the Obi of Ogbomkpa commended the government for initiating the meeting and appealed to the state government to intervene by urgently addressing the issues affecting both communities. They assured the government of maintaining peace in their various communities while the government found a lasting solution to the issues raised.
Also, Prince Austin Ugboma who spoke on behalf of Issele-Asaba Community and Mr. Joseph Okolie who spoke on behalf of Okpanam community assured the state government of their community’s commitment towards maintaining peace and ensuring their collaboration with the state government in order to find lasting solution to the boundary dispute between the two local governments.
