Boundary Dispute: Okowa Meets Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja Indigenes, Says Process To Release White Paper Still On

Governor Okowa and SSG, Agas arriving the meeting

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has sued for dialogue between the people of Aladja, and Ogbe-Ijoh over the intermittent crisis bedeviling the communities, saying that the process to release the white paper on the recommendation of the peace committee is still on.

Addressing the press after a closed door meeting with security operatives, traditional rulers, members of the peace-building council and some stakeholders from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja Communities, Governor Okowa urged communities to always apply dialogue as the best way of settling dispute.

Arising from the meeting which lasted for more than two hours at the Government House annex, Warri, Governor Okowa disclosed that the meeting was necessary to avoid escalation of hostilities between the communities.

According to him, “the meeting was to maintain peace in the area while the Police carry out its investigation into what happened in the area.

“At the meeting, we appealed to the communities to remain peaceful and we have a favourable outcome as we have been assured by the communities that they will maintain the peace,” the Governor stated.

On the outcome of the committee set up to find lasting solution to the crisis, the Governor assured that the right thing would be done, noting that the committee had submitted its report but, it requires a process for the white paper to be released, reiterating that his administration would ensure peaceful co-existence among the people.

Earlier in an opening remark before the meeting went into closed-door, Governor Okowa said, “it is unfortunate that we have lost some lives when the crisis erupted when I was on vacation, the Deputy Governor who was acting has briefed me appropriately and we are here with members of the Peace Building Council, traditional rulers and members of the state security council to fashion a way forward for us to live in peace.

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“I appreciate the Gbaramatu community for the restraint and I believe that there is nothing that can be better than peaceful co-existence,” he added.