Gov. Okowa visits Ogbe - Ijoh, Aladja, sets up Peace Committee

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa  says that the state government would set up a peace committee to resolve the lingering  boundary dispute between Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area and Ogbe-ijoh in Warri South West Local government Area of the state.

Speaking after a visit and a peace parley with both communities Tuesday [26-04-16], Okowa explained that the committee which would be inaugurated in the next one week would see to the amicable resolution of the perennial communal clash  so as to allow peace to reign in the area.

Ekpumopolo making a point during the Governor;s meeting.

"I just came here today to see for myself, and have an understanding of what is happening here, l am going to set up a committee that will be inaugurated in the next one week with the State Surveyor General as a member." he said, stressing that " whoever among you that have good information and documents regarding the boundary map should be nominated into the committee and both communities will send two representatives each.”

He explained that "The state has its own map of the area, the committee will look into the documents made available to them, deliberate on them, the only person authorized to give the definite boundary of this place is the Surveyor General. The Frank Nwulu's report that you are holding unto has not given a definite boundary to this area that is why you still have this dispute. I believe in justice and know that it is only the peace committee’s recommendations that can bring the needed peace but both communities will first make up their minds that they want peace, it is with this mind-set that you can support the committee to succeed."

Earlier in his address, His Royal Majesty Couple Orumoni, the Pere Of Ogbe Ijoh Kingdom, stated that they were the original owners of the land and accommodated the Aladja community but were now being intimidated by the people of Aladja to pay fees for any building material transported into Ogbe-Ijoh .

Okowa speaking with the traditional rulers,

He also noted that some of their land on the boundary plane has been confiscated by the Aladja community saying: " This dispute is beyond us to resolve because each time the two communities meet to talk we end up disrupting the meeting because we never agree, that is why we have invited government to come into the issue, whatever they agree on we will abide by it for peace to reign."

The Ovie of Udu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Owuri 1 on his part, said that Ogbe Ijoh community has confiscated most of their farmlands and attacked their people whenever they go to farm because they claim that the Aladja farmland belong to them (Ogbe-ljoh).

The governor and his entourage was conducted round the three boundary planes by the Local Government Chairmen of Udu, Hon. Solomon Kpoma and Warri South West, Hon. George Ekpemukpolo and their traditional rulers.