Delta communities protest against alleged land encroachment by Edo

[TGD]

HUNDREDS of aggrieved protesters led by some traditional title holders from different communities in Delta State stormed Government House and the State House of Assembly both in Asaba Tuesday to protest against the alleged land grabbing by their neighbours in Edo State.

  The peaceful protesters, who came in over ten mini buses got to Government House as early as 9 a.m. carried numerous placards with different inscriptions some of which read "Oba of Benin does not own any land in Delta", "Nobody can claim our land from us", "Edo is looking for war", "Edo is an aggressor," amongst others.

  The protesting communities include Umutu, Eku, Umuegwa-Abraka, Orhuarivie-Abraka, Obiaruku, Mosogar, Jesse, Owa-Abbi, Oghara and Umuaja.

  Chief Abel Idigun, chairman, Central Working Committee of the Communities (CWC), who doubled as the spokesperson for the protesters accused Edo State of being the aggressor as it is laying claim to land that does not belong to its people.

  Presently, he said that there are many surveyors from Edo State in virtually all the disputed lands in Delta State demarcating the land and appropriating same to themselves despite the agreement between the two states to allow the National Boundary Commission (NBC) resolve the issue.

  Idigun recalled that at the end of the meeting of March 7, 2006 between the two deputy governors and boundary committees of the two states, it was agreed that both states have no constitutional power to demarcate interstate boundary.

   He charged: "The two states can and will continue to work together to maintain the status quo for purposes of harmonious and peaceful co-existence within the disputed boundaries pending the final demarcation of the boundaries by the NBC."

   He continued: "That the Federal Government is desirous of a speedy resolution of the boundary disputes between both states and hence the Joint Technical Committee of both states; and NBC is to speed up the execution of the additional field work exercise."

   He called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to tell the Assistant Commissioner of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Benin to order the people of Edo State to hold their peace until the determination of the boundary by NBC. The Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, Mr. Tony Obuh who met the protesters on behalf of Uduaghan commended the communities for not only maintaining peace and refraining from communal clash with Edo State communities but also for coming to intimate government of the issues in their areas.

  He advised the protesting communities to put their grievances into writing and submit it to the state government to enable it pursue their case with the National Boundary Commission and tackle the issue squarely.

  He said: "I thank you for the peaceful way you have handled this boundary dispute, the issue of land is critical to you and the state government. I will advise that you put grievances into writing to enable government handle the matter well. I promise you that government will give it urgent attention."

  The governor added that the visit was for the benefit of the state as the steps taken were to ensure peace and avoid communal clash in the area, saying that the government abhors crisis in any part of the state and was happy that they chose the part of peace because if they had resorted to self-help, there would have been crisis.

The Guardian