Following the incessant land deputies, the Delta State Government has banned the sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku and its neighbouring communities particularly in disputed boundary areas until further notice.

The state Deputy Governor, Mr Monday Onyeme, gave the directive on Friday at a meeting to resolve Ogwashi-Uku kingship, chieftaincy and land disputes with neighbouring communities at the Government House Asaba.

He said, “All sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku and its neighbouring communities particularly in disputed boundary areas are hereby banned until further notice.

“The government is resolved to put to an end all boundary disputes bothering between various communities in the state in order for the people to live in peace with one another.

“The meeting is a fallout from the State Security Council meeting which directed my office to address the issue which includes the deposition and replacement of gazetted Chiefs of Ogwashi-Uku by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.

“Other issues as land ownership and administration of land titles in Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities, boundary disputes with other local government areas and the plethora of civil and criminal cases emanating from the resistance of the installation of new chiefs by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.”

The Deputy Governor noted that the government had received several petitions and complaints on the issues and was concerned, hence the meeting to resolve the issue amicably.

He assured that all the issues raised would be looked into as without peace there would be no meaningful development.

To this end, the state government set up a committee headed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Owhoviorole, SAN, with the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Secretary of the State Boundary Committee, Permanent Secretary, Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor and representative from the Technical Committee of the State Boundary Committee as members to look into all the boundary issues of Ogwashi-Uku and it’s neighbouring communities with a view of proffering lasting solution.

He directed all parties concerned to submit all necessary documents to the committee within seven days and cooperate with the committee in carrying out its assignment. (Saturday PUNCH)

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