. As Ebonyi women protest, accuse LG Chairman, Surveyor General of collusion in land demarcation
JACOB OGODO, Abakaliki
The former Chairman, Edda Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Barrister Eni Uduma Chima, has called on the government of Cross River State not to lease the Nigeria Institute for Oil Research plantation (NIFOR) which largely belongs to the Ekoli Edda community in Ebonyi state.
He urged the governors of Ebonyi and Cross River states to interphase with the National Boundary Commission to trace and demarcate the land, noting that the people of Ekoli-Edda were open to peace
Eni, made the remarks at the 134 Battalion of the Nigerian Army Ezillo Barracks Ebonyi State, where former vigilantees from Ekoli Edda were rehabilitated and subsequently empowered by the State government
He urged the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru to interface with his Cross River State counterpart, Prince Bassey Otu to disarm the Cross River people in order to restore lasting peace between Egbor/Urugbam Ekoli-Edda.
It would be recalled the vigilantees were arrested during the escalation of conflict between the Egbor people of Biase Local Government Area of Cross River, which allegedly leased the NIFOR plantation, that largely belongs to the Ekoli Edda community without proper consultation.
The former Council boss explained that the disarment of Ekoli-Edda vigilante was hinged on the confidence he has in the professionalism of the Nigerian Army, even as he called on the people of Cross River to emulate the Ekoli-Edda people.
Eni said, “So today, we witnessed the graduation of 51 persons in different skills so that they will be reintergrated into society. They have been empowered to go and be useful citizens.
“We are confident on the professionalism of the Nigerian Army that is why we feel safety with disarm because they have established forward operation base first in Ekoli and at Urugbam, the other side where we have boundary with Cross River.
He said he had in his remarks during the occassion that marked the graduation of the former vigilantees urged governor Nwifuru to interface with his Cross River counterpart, Prince Bassey Otu to disarm Cross River warriors.
“Like I said in my brief remark to the governor, I requested him to interface with his brother governor to also disarm our brethern from the other side. Let them trim their sword, let us continue to do agriculture together.
“And also, we want to use this opportunity to plead with the government of Cross River State not to lease the palm plantation because the land of Ekoli people is inside that plantation and so there is no need to lease that which is encumbered.
“Let them instead use their influence to bring to bear the national boundary commission to quicken come and do tracing and demarcation of the boundary area, so that we will know which place belongs to who. It is only after tracing and demarcation that we can point out which community is violent or offensive or which is not.
“As Ekoli people, we are open to any formula they want to use. They can use the Kalum Ali panel report, the Irikaibe panel repor, Mamanazi panel report or Decree 23 of 1985 or anyone they consider favorable to them. We are peace loving people.
He advised the beneficiaries to utilize the two million given to them by the governor to enable them attract more.
“They should utilize the money given to them because it has the blessing of God, the breath of the governor, but the eyes of the public are on them. And there is a challenge that if they utilize the one that has been given to them more will be given and added to them”, he stated.
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
