The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim has warned the people of Amaetiti and Okpaeze communities both in Orumba North Local Government Area, as well as other communities in boundary disputes in the state against taking laws into their hands, as the present Governor Chukwuma Soludo led administration will not condone any form of crisis that would lead to bloodshed.
The Deputy Governor who is the Chairman, Anambra State Boundary Committee gave the warning during his visit to the disputed Ofia-Olum Ezu-Mamu River in Orumba North Local Government Area.
according to findings, the boundary issue between Umuegbuo village Amaetiti and Mkpalagu village Okpaeze in Orumba North council area has existed since the 1970.
Deputy Governor Ibezim who explained that the visit was part of efforts towards restoring lasting peace in the area, reminded them of the need to embrace peace and eschew acts that could lead to destruction of life and property, as according to him, human beings are sojourners on earth and while leaving the world will not take anything along, including land and other things that men value so much.
Assuring both communities that the state government will make sure that due process is followed in the course of settling the issue, Deputy Governor Ibezim asked the communities to see themselves as brothers and to imbibe peace, as peace is key to development and progress of any community or nation.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Umuegbuo village Amaetiti, Dr Anthony Nwafor thanked the state government for intervening on the issue, saying that the people of Amaetiti want peace and are ready to adhere to directives from the state government on the issue, but accused the people of Mkpapagu village Okpaeze of series of harassments and intimidations, pleading that the state government should do the needful to permanently resolve the matter.
On his part, Mr Victor Nwumele of Mkpalagu village Okpaeze who spoke on behalf of his people, also appreciated the state government on its efforts on the matter which he said has lingered for over forty years, even as he debunked the claims of the people of Amaetiti that they are harassing and intimidating them, saying that it has been the people of Amaetiti that have been taking them to court since the issue started, including the supreme court where his people defeated them recently with court injunction in their favour.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Mr Ekenechukwu Okoye was among the Deputy Governor’s entourage that went on the visit.
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