Ado/Ohuakwu Border Crisis: James Oche Commends Presidency, Ortom
..as Abounu Inaugurates Benue Committee to Assist Boundary Commission
For over 3 decades, the border conflicts between Benue and Ebonyi States particularly between Ado Local Government of Benue State and Ohuakwu Local Government of Ebonyi has endured little results born out of the efforts to permanently subdue it.
Recent developments however seem to concretize the efforts to bring the protracted discord to an end as the Presidency after holding tripartite meetings with the Governors of the two states has directed and funded the National Boundary Commission to immediately take necessary steps and demarcate the boundary for lasting peace.
In his determination to help the Comission deliver on record time, the Benue State Deputy Governor who doubles as Chairman, Benue State Boundary Committee, Engr. Benson Abounu yesterday, Monday October 28, 2019 inaugurated the Benue Wing of the Boundary Peace Committee to undertake a facts mission and submit its findings within one month.
The members of the committee are; Member of the BENUE state component of the Joint peace committee on BENUE / Ebonyi inter state boundary are; HRH chief Christopher ONUMAH- chairman, Ado local government chairman - comrade James oche - member, Chief OGENYI Otseme- 3rd class chief Zone B of Ado, Chief AGBO otteh - clan head Ulayi and Chief Ochapa Emeruwa - Ward Head Ekile.
Others are; Hon. Otse Otokpa - member, Dr. Pius Oketa- member, Mrs Mary Udenyi- member, Bishop Simon udenyi- member, Surv. Z. T Ade - Boundary Commissioner, Surv. Adaga S. Surveyor General and Surv. Peter oinu- Resource Person.
Also on the Committee is Barr. Lawrence Ochogwu- member, Victor Okorie- Member, AGBO Martins - project surveyor, Dsp Odaudu Odejo - member, Andza moses - member, Adagi M. A. T - Recorder, Col. Paul Hemba (rtd) - member and Mr . Samuel Obande - Secretary.
The committee was handed the following as terms of reference:
A. Sensitize the border communities on peace building advocacy by holding regular meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure peace is built at the border corridor.
B. Ensure the border communities desist from the use of land and its resources in the disputed area pending the final demarcation of the boundary by National Boundary commission (NBC)
C. Appeal to border communities on the use of dialogue or any Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR) method of peace building instead of the use of violence to resolve conflict thereby creating a peaceful environment to enable National boundary commission demarcate the boundary.
D. Harmonize and integrate various interest groups into the peace building process.
E. Liaise with the state boundary committee for proper functioning of BENUE state component of the Joint Peace Committee.
F. Address any other matter that is relevant to the success of the committee towards resolving the boundary dispute.
Ado Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Hon. James Oche who is elated by this development has expressed the willingness of his administration to provide logistical and technical support to aid the process. He has equally charged members of the Committees in Benue and Ebonyi States to deliver on record time.
Mr. Oche who stated this yesterday in Makurdi shortly after the inauguration exercise further expressed his appreciation to Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom for his resoluteness to ensuring a permanent end to the crisis. He has also hailed the Presidency and the National Boundary Commission for their efforts and appreciated the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu and the State Boundary Commissioner, Mr. Z.T Ade for their sacrifice to ensure commendable outcomes.
Mr. Oche has advised that, as a way of finalising the efforts to the issue, the Federal Government should adopt the invaluable submissions of Hon. Francis Otta Agbo by establishing a military barracks around the border line and also undertake infrastructural development of the area, which in his view will not only end the crisis but also enhance the development and welfare of the people.