By Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA – AFTER decades of hostilities, the Delta State Government has resolved the  boundary dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities, Udu and Warri-South West local government areas of the state .

The resolution of the dispute was sequel to an enlarged stakeholders meeting of Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute held at the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu.

The meeting also had in attendance, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.

Emomotimi Guwor, Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN; Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Vincent Oyibode; Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi; Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor and other top government officials.

Speaking during the meeting, Emu 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 which leads from Warri River up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal would be upheld by the government.

He also said the State Government has acquired the remaining portion of the disputed territory which starts from Major General Dumeje Canal as a reserve.

He stated that a gazette would be issued in due course which would provide the survey description of the area, adding that Governor, Sheriff  Oborevwori would make a proclamation on the acquisition.

Emu recalled that past administrations of the State Government  had without success, tried to intervene by setting up various panels of inquiries including the Justice Azinge Inquiry of 1996; Justice Nwulu Inquiry of 2009, and Prof. Ekoko’s Panel of 2016 to settle the issue.

He said a private initiative by some eminent Deltans to mediate in the crises, led by Chief Edwin Ekpoko,
did also not yield the desired results.

Emu stated that 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.

According to him, 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.

He said the demarcation from this point up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal was however, not acceptable to the communities, adding that the team, after further consultation, worked with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to re-align the line of division for the particular segment of the boundary.

Speaking further, Emu noted that the present 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 who presented 12 representatives each.

He said far reaching resolutions were taken at the two-day consultation meeting with the communities, adding  that it was agreed that they should go home and meet with critical segment of their communities and come out with unanimous resolutions and recommendations that would be binding on them.

He said it was also agreed that they were to revert to the government on the collective resolutions of their communities.

Emu disclosed that the outcome of the engagement with the youths led to the enlarged stakeholders meeting.

 He said the position of the government was that thie meeting with both sides would be the last mediation effort to terminate the boundary dispute and free up the area for development and for freedom to thrive.

He said the government was not willing to play politics with lives and properties.

Emu thanked Governor Oborevwori for his commitment, consistency, objectivity and political will power to deliver on the peace process in the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute.

Representative of the Pere of Ogbe-ijoh kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, High Chief Anthony Jolomo and two others who spoke for the community, lauded the State government for convening the instant meeting 

 They urged Government not to hesitate to implement its resolutions as delays and hesitation in the implementation of previous peace initiatives had allowed the dispute to fester.

On their part, representative of the traditional ruler of Aladja, Chief Otto Ogbiruruets  and Chief Paulson Obiebi noted that it was the first sign of very positive action on the part of the government to end the dispute.

They stressed the need for sincerity to be upheld by both sides for the goal of peace to be achieved.

Similarly the Obuzor of Ibuzor, HRM Obi Prof Louis Nwoboshi, who represented the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, called on Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities to sustain the peace brokered between them by the State government.