The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, FNSE, has warned of the dangers of internal boundary disputes consciously perpetrated by selfish non-state actors, thereby threatening the peace and order of the state.
Emetu gave the warning at Government House, Umuahia during a meeting with the leadership of the warring communities; Amaba Community in Ikwuano LGA, Lodu Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA and Olokoro Community in Umuahia South LGA, all in Abia State. While addressing the leadership of the communities, Emetu called for a peaceful resolution of boundary disputes among them.
He directed the trio to submit their claims of ownership to his office within a week. Deputy Governor Emetu, who doubles as the Chairman of Abia State Boundary Committee, expressed displeasure over the unwarranted high rate of internal boundary disputes experienced in the State. He decried the inability of the previous administrations to settle both internal and external boundary issues due to their ineptitude and insensitivity to the socio-economic dividends of a harmonious coexistence among communities.
Emetu assured that under the new Abia, ably led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, truth and honesty must prevail in ascertaining the actual owners of any disputed land as the boundary committee will rely on judgements of the Supreme Court, maps and documented archives in government custody to ascertain the real owners of the disputed land.
"Boundaries are man-made and legislative areas should be identified and respected. We want peace. Many people can speak well by saying the truth or painting a lie very well that you take it to be the truth, but documents in the archives don't lie and that is one good thing to rely on".
He warned against encroachment into government owned lands as observed in some quarters of Government College Umuahia, amongst others, assuring that the government will not only reclaim the land, but also any structure erected on such lands.
Hear him, "we are coming gradually to take over government properties that people had already built on and when we are talking about taking over, we don't have bulldozers to bring any house down, but we are very happy to take those buildings on the land and that is what we are doing now".
Submitting earlier, the leaders of the three communities; HRM King Emmanuel Otuwa of Amaba, HRH Eze Donatus of Ndume Ibeku and Chief Ikegbu Godfrey of Olokoro took to self advantage, but promised to provide the requested documents to aid government resolve the matter amicably.
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