Abia govt moves to resolve boundary dispute with Akwa Ibom community

Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, has charged members of the state boundary committee to be professional in bringing lasting solutions to the internal and interstate boundary problems confronting the state.

Emetu, who gave the charge during a meeting he held with members of the committee on the various internal and interstate boundary problems, held at Government House, Umuahia, harped on best approach for peace in border communities, especially during the current farming season.

He enjoined leaders and stakeholders of Ikwuano Local Government Area to make available to government, all certified documents and Court judgements that would lead to finding solutions to the lingering boundary problem between the people of Ariam Elu-Elu and Ariam Osoigwe autonomous communities in Ikwuano and their Ikoro Okwom and Akara of Akwa Ibom State counterparts.

He said Governor Alex Otti has directed the affected communities of lkwuano to immediately liase with their counterparts in Akwa Ibom to find out means of dousing tensions along their boundary areas until the National Boundary Commission can demarcate their boundaries.

Emetu, who is also the Chairman of the Abia State Boundary Committee, reiterated the present administration in its resolve to realisw its mandate on food sufficiency, pointed out that the government was overhauling the agricultural sector to take advantage of its potentials for increased revenue base.

He reaffirmed that the state will always take bold steps in confronting challenges facing Abia and stressed the need for the military and security personnel drafted to secure border communities to remain neutral in matters concerning warring communities.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Commander Macdonald Ubah (rted) assured that the state government will get to the root of the matter concerning boundary issues in and outside Abia and warned villagers against shedding of blood over land disputes.

In their remarks, the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Osinachi Nwaka, traditional ruler of Ugwuegbu autonomous community in Usaka, Eze Ambrose Nwagwu, lamented the boundary issues with their Akwa Ibom neighbours and appealed to the federal and state government to come to their rescue by ensuring food and adequate security in their land.

Interim reports on demarcation of boundaries of Ndi Ememe Abam versus Idima Abam, Ndi Ojiaku Abam versus Ndiebe Abam as well as an update from the National Boundary Commission on the demarcation of boundaries between Abia and Akwa Ibom states were also presented during the meeting.