Ben Ezechime, Enugu
It was a day of conflict management when the Anambra State Boundary Commission (ASBC) headed by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim with the state boundary team through listening and assertive speaking began the process of settling the boundary dispute that has claimed many lives and properties of the people of Enugwu village in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area and the people of Nnenye village of Umueri community, Anambra East Local Government.
The Deputy Governor while visiting both communities reminded the Umueri and Ogbunike communities respectively, that one of Governor Charles Soludo’s oath of office was to protect lives and properties of Ndi Anambra.
He explained that no land in the state was demarcated with the use of sign post and kicked against the installation of one by one of the communities.
According to him, the boundary commission uses monuments as their official demarcation.
Dr. Ibezim reminded them that no lost life can be regained after the dispute, stressing that dialogue was the only way out for peaceful coexistence of the two communities.
He urged the people to keep the peace as the state government was intervening already in the matter.
He warned that any violence henceforth will be seen as a violation of the peaceful process for which the boundary commission will rest its powers on the violated community.
The Deputy Governor cautioned the youths to desist from being manipulated into destroying properties and lives of one another by the affluent from both communities.
He advised the youths to instead key into the various programmes of the government which includes, One youth 2 skills digital skill trainings that was recently launched by the state government and is being handled by Solution Innovative District (SID), and the on going teachers recruitment exercise
In his contribution, the Traditional Ruler of Umueri community, HRH Igwe Bennett Emeka, explained that the recent development in his community including the Chinua Achebe Airport and the Orient petroleum were the major reasons the people of Enugwu Ogbunike kept on encroaching and selling their lands.
Igwe Emeka appealed to the state government for immediate intervention.
Similarly, the Traditional Ruler of Ogbunike appreciated the intervention of the state government on the matter, saying that the land was their ancestral home and promised to support the solution government on any possible way they can.
In their various contributions Hon. Gabriel Oyema of Ogbunike lamented the killing of their people while Mr Ben Ekenta said that violence was not the way out.
In Umueri, Mr Joseph Anikpe described his people as peace loving while Mr. Chukwuma Nweke narrated that since his childhood the said land has been theirs and revenues realised from the land has been enjoyed by them for over 66 years of his existence as he submitted his evidence to the state Deputy Governor.
In his vote of thanks, Bar. Eugene Ekwegba of Umueri said, “we are law abiding. We trust and have confidence in the government in power for peaceful intervention and more development to come.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on boundary matters Hon. Ekenechukwu Okoye, accompanied the Deputy Governor to the peace meetng.
He said that further dialogue would be taking place at the government house Awka, and individuals selected by the two communities will be their representatives.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor on behalf of Governor Soludo later thanked the communities for their support.
He commiserated with both communities over the loss of their loved ones, after which a minute silence in honour of the fallen ones was observed.
