By CHRISTIAN OGBONNA

Ebonyi State Government has released a white paper on the report of the committee set up to resolve the land dispute between Amana, in Ezza South Local Government Area, and Ohaukwu in Ikwo Local government areas of the state.

Mr Jude Okpor, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this at a press conference on Friday in Abakaliki.

Okpor noted that the committee found out that the discovery of lead, a mineral in commercial quantity in the area and the removal of the cement boundary beacons established by the colonial masters, were the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

Okpor noted that the committee, set up by the state government, has recommended immediate re-establishment of boundary pillars as part of measures to end the crisis.

According to him, the White Paper, dated 8th Nov. 2023, and endorsed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, contained Government’s statements of adoption of the Committee’s recommendations and the Governor’s directive to concerned ministries and departments to implement same.

“The Committee, from their findings, set aside the earlier report of the Ebonyi State Peace Committee which recommended government’s acquisition of the disputed land and properties and its subsequent partitioning between the contending Communities.

“They observed that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) committee did not consult archival evidence before arriving at its decision,” he explained.

“The committee has recommended immediate re-establishment of the cement boundary pillars taking bearing from existing ones as such will automatically determine the owners of the disputed Lead site and surrounding farm lands under contention.

“Such determination, the Committee believes, will enable proper delineation of the boundary, and thereafter, a directive to those encroaching on lands to retreat to their own side for a lasting peace between the two communities,” Okpor added.

The Committee members inaugurated by Gov. Francis Nwifuru on July 17 include: Mr Ogbonnaya Obasi, Chairman, Mr Peter Ogodo, Secretary, Royal Highnesses, Eze Charles Azuenya and Cosmas Agwu, and Augustine Okpani. (NAN)

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