INYC replies IYC, urges Delta government to evacuate occupants of Miller Waterside, Warri

Warri South Local Government Chapter of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, has lambasted the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Ogbe - Ijoh, over what it described as the IYC's vexatious call on Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to call the Olu of Warri to order, saying: "The inability of the Delta State Government to fully implement her policy by vacating the illegal occupants from Miller Waterside in Warri, after the last Warri crisis, created room for the pseudo claims of IYC, Ogbe - Ijoh chapter."

In a press statement issued in Warri, Delta State, Saturday August 13, Chairman of INYC Warri South Chapter, Comrade Ofoyeju Izuagie, noted that the Miller Waterside area of NPA Old Port, which was visited by The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, following the fire outbreak that destroyed properties valued at millions of naira, " was leased to John Holt by Ogbe Yonwuren of Ugbuwangue and later taken over by the government and used as Barracks for Marine Police, Custom as well as transit to other Itsekiri communities in the riverine areas, before the last Warri crisis."

Ofoyeju, added: "In the year 2004, the PDP led Delta State Government, under Chief James Ibori set up a committee headed by Comrade Ovuzorie Macaulay on Inter ethnic and peaceful resolution of Warri crisis. The committee, was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all illegally annexed and occupied land by the two feuding tribes: Itsekiri & Ijaw, were vacated. Itsekiri tendered legal documents, confirming ownership of Miller Waterside/front.

Ijaw failed to tender any legal document, rather claimed their father owned the land. At last, they agreed to vacate the land, on the ground that they should be given money, to enable them relocate to where they migrated from.

"They received the money and refused to vacate, continuing their expansionist tendencies, extending further into Ugbori creek.

"Itsekiri provided legal documents, with which they leased Miller Waterside to Royal Niger Company, John Holt and now NPA.

"The Ijaw illegally occupied the estate of Late Chief Gabriel Mabiaku, the erstwhile Iyatsere of Warri and were forced to vacate the estate.

"Ogbe - Ijaw is a customary tenant to the Olu of Warri and this is backed up by law.

"No man has the monopoly of violence. If not for government that rewards violence in the present dispensation, we won't be hearing of illegal occupants, issuing threats. Whoever is aggrieved in any matter, should seek redress in the court of law.

"I challenge IYC Ogbe - Ijaw to publish legal and historic documents/facts of ownership of Miller Waterside, Warri.

"The IYC should know that the handle of the sword, is in the hand of Itsekiri. The Ijaws are only holding on to the blade. The silence of Lion, must not be misconstrued for weakness."

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