Community hails Ebonyi gov for resolving land despute

By Zika Bobby

Ebonye State Governor Francis Nwifuru has been hailed for his efforts in resolving a long-standing land dispute between Ishinkwo and Abaomege communities. The dispute, which dates back to 1902, had claimed numerous lives and property over the years.

The people of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community, in a press statement signed by Chief Chukwuebuka Nwagu, President Ishinkwo People in Diaspora, expressed their gratitude to Governor Nwifuru for fulfilling his promise to demarcate the disputed land. The demarcation process, which began recently, involves excavators digging the boundary between the two communities.

Nwagu, however, advised the engineers carrying out the demarcation task to ensure that justice and fairness prevail in the process, stressing that this was necessary to avoid either of the parties feeling aggrieved. “My advice is that the provisions of the White Paper and the survey map stipulating the trajectory of the boundary should be strictly followed. This is necessary to avoid justified grievances from either of the communities. Yesterday, the people of Ishinkwo protested against the way the demarcation went, but we were able to calm the situation down. Nwagu continued: “ It is important to note that the Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area, to which both communities belong, is from Abaomege. The Coordinator of Ukaba Development Centre, also overseeing both communities, is from Abaomege, besides other principal political appointees from the same Abaomege Community. Ishinkwo has only one supervisory counsellor serving in the government. So, it is natural for the Ishinkwo people to feel that the demarcation may favour Abaomege people because they have people in government. By and large, we appreciate our performing governor.”

Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to resolving the dispute is seen as a significant step towards restoring peace and stability in the region. The Ishinkwo community praised the governor for keeping his promise, expressing their happiness with the progress made so far ¹.

This development comes after years of conflict between the two communities, with the dispute remaining unresolved despite various attempts at mediation.

Governor Nwifuru’s intervention has brought new hope to the people of Ishinkwo and Abaomege, who are eager to put the dispute behind them and focus on rebuilding their communities.