Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja dispute: Panel commends communities for good conduct

The Chairman of the Panel of Inquiry instituted to survey and demarcate the boundary between Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State, Professor Abednego Ekoko, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities when members of the anel visited the communities for identification of claims.

During the exercise that lasted three days and which took the committee to various points on land and water, the elders, community leaders and youths, according to Professor Ekoko gave the committee members maximum support while conducting them round their claims.

He said “with what we have seen, the panel can now address terms of reference number two which  the extent of land in dispute between the two communities”.

On the panel’s observation when it visited Ogbe-Ijoh, Professor Ekoko noted that the land in dispute  is clearly defined and expressed confidence that his committee would come out with recommendations that would be satisfactory to both parties.

“I can see a win-win situation for Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja. I am very confident that both communities will live peacefully and harmoniously at the end of our assignment. When they live in peace, there will be progress and development,” he said.

Members of the panel were conducted round six boundary points by the people of Ogbe-Ijoh which cut across land and water through the creeks amid tight security while the Surveyor-General of the state, Okeoghene Osiawa, who is also a member of the panel and professional surveyors from his office were seen using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) gadgets to establish the various  points alleged to be Ogbe-Ijoh traditional boundaries.