Aladja /Ogbe-Ijoh Crisis: Okowa receives conflicting reports

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has received two conflicting reports from the committee set up to resolve the land dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Area respectively, Fresh Angle International can authoritatively report.

While Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Abednego Ekoko presented what was described as majority report of the committee, a representative of Ogbe-Ijoh Community in the committee, Hon. Denbofa Oweikpodor presented what was christened a minority report on their findings.

Receiving the reports, Governor Okowa pleaded with the people to continue to preach peaceful co-existence in the area, adding, “I have always said that in any dispute, there must be give and take for the best resolution to be achieved and I want to thank you (members of the committee) for the reports as presented, we will study them and take right decisions for a lasting solution to be proffered on the crisis.”

Dr. Okowa noted, “Government will not shy away from taking decisions that may not be palatable if the need arise. It is our duty to preach peace, we must be careful about the type of communities we leave for our children because, any father or mother who wants to leave a crisis-ridden community is not worthy to be one.”

Governor Okowa had on May 25, 2016 inaugurated the committee which had Professor Abednego Ekoko as Chairman, with its membership comprising, Mr. F.O. Osiawa, Surveyor General, Mr. J.N Ogabu, Asst. Surveyor-General, Barrister Ernest Edomwonyi, Legal Counsel/ Secretary, Chief Engr. Paulson Okobiebi and Elder Stephenson Lerhovwre (Aladja Community Representatives) and Hon. Denbofa Oweikpodor,  Mr. Franklyn Igangan  (Ogbe-Ijaw Community Representatives).         

Our Delta North Correspondent reports that while commending the committee for a job well done, the Delta State Chief Executive averred that the report would be studied and the best actions in the interest of the people would be taken.

Governor Okowa disclosed that murder cases that are related to the communal crisis would continue in the courts of law and assured that the law would take its course in granting bails to arrested community leaders.

Prof. Ekoko on behalf of members of the committee, thanked the Delta State government for deeming them fit to serve the state in that capacity, stating that the committee carried out a detailed assignment with the interests of the communities involved at heart, while Hon. Oweikpodor in his minority report, disclosed that the minority report had to come up because of few grey areas they disagreed with the majority report.

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