The Ogbe-Ijoh community, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State has sent a strongly-worded petition to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, calling on him to intervene urgently in the age-long land dispute between them and the Aladja people.
According to them, what happened in Okuama, Delta State may be child’s play if the matter is taken for granted.
They said their worry and concern is further affirmed by the inability of the state government both in the past and present to demonstrate the needed political will to once and all take a definite stand and resolve this issue irrespective of whose ox is gored.
The petition said the recalcitrant attitude of Aladja people is another sad reminder of the unfortunate “Okuama Killing incident” that is waiting to explode one day except the Delta State government and security personnel live up to their responsibilities in this regard.
They drew the governor’s attention to the ongoing demarcation work between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities and expressed their worries and concern as it relates to the land in dispute.
The Ogbe-Ijoh community avowed: “We, therefore, demand that the Delta State Government should look into the abandoned Ogbe-Ijoh bypass road awarded to Broad Link to avoid passing through the heart of Aladja town to access Ogbe-Ijoh town.
“From available government records, vis-a-vis the various panels of inquiry, it is the undeveloped parcel of land between the two communities which was estimated to be about 289 hectares that is being disputed.
“The 289 hectares of land was government independent findings by the Prof. Okoko led panel which the Delta State government accepted as the area in dispute in an expanded stakeholders meeting held in Government House, Asaba at the Unity Hall on the 16th of December, 2016.
“The Government of Delta State must stand firm and arrest those Aladja people that have the courage not only to stop work but threaten to kill anybody at sight including security personnel. Furthermore, since March 16, 2016 to date, the Ogbe-Ijoh people and visitors can’t access Ogbe-Ijoh, Headquarters of Warri South West Council through land.
“The failure of Delta State Government both past and present to decisively deal with promoters of native war in Aladja community is largely responsible for the incessant attacks on law abiding Ogbe-Ijoh citizens and other Nigerians including military personnel and this can’t certainly continue.”