The long-standing boundary dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Delta State has been resolved by the state
government with the acquisition of the disputed territory, among others.
The state government also realigned the line demarcating the boundaries between the two communities from Warri River up to Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja Toad, as well as to Major General Dumeje’s Canal, to the satisfaction of both communities.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, made this known during an enlarged stakeholdera meeting on the Aladja- Ogbe-Ijoh boundary dispute held at the office of the SSG on Thursday.
According to the SSG, far-reaching resolutions were taken at the two-day consultation meeting with the communities where it was agreed that they should go home and meet with a critical segment of their communities and come out with resolutions and recommendations which would be binding.
The SSG said, “The state government had resolved that the boundary line already established by the Special Adviser on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution and his team, which leads from Warri River up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal would be upheld by the government.
“Also, the state government has acquired the remaining portion of the disputed territory, which starts from Major General Dumeje Canal, as a reserve.
“Consequently, a gazette will be issued in due course to this effect and which will provide the survey description of the area and that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will make a proclamation on the acquisition.”
Giving a background history of the Aladja and Ogbe-ijoh communities boundary conflict, the SSG noted with concern that past administrations in the state (military and civilian) had tried to intervene by setting up various panels of inquiries, such as the Justice Azinge Inquiry of 1996, the Justice Nwulu Inquiry of 2009, and Prof. Ekoko’s Panel of 2016 to settle the issue, but without success.
He stated that there was also a private initiative by some eminent Deltans to mediate in the crises, which was led by Chief Edwin Ekpoko, but unfortunately, their efforts did not yield the desired results.
