The House of Representatives on Wednesday tasked the Federal Government, through the National Boundary Commission (NBC), on the need to activate an adjustment process among the Iwo Local Government, Ayedire Local Government of Osun State and Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State to find a lasting and amicable resolution.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on a Matter of public importance on the urgent need to address the continuous fatal boundary dispute amongst Communities in Osun State and Oyo State, sponsored by Hon. Lukman Mudashiru, who solicited for the House intervention.
In his lead debate, Hon. Mudashiru lamented that there have been “prolonged interstate boundary disputes in communities in Iwo Local Government Area and some parts of Ayedire Local Government area of Osun State and Lagelu Local Government Area in Oyo State which has been causing immense challenges for the residents of these communities.
“The House also notes that the boundary disputes in these Local Governments in Osun state and Oyo state have led to numerous violent clashes which have claimed many lives of people living in these affected communities.
“The villages affected in Osun state include Paapa Village, Paku Village, Oloya Village, Ogunajo Village and Malamu Village all in Iwo Local Government as well as Eleye Village and Arikese Village in Ayedire Local Government area.
“The House further notes that as a result of this interstate boundary dispute, 24th April 2024 Eleye Village in Ayedire Local Government area of Osun State was burnt down, leading to many losses of life.
“The House is aware that the continuous boundary dispute among these communities have inflicted a great deal of hardship on the people of Iwo and Ayedire local governments and hindered the development of infrastructure, investment and crippled meaningful progress in different sectors such as Agriculture, Education, Healthcare and Commerce etc.
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“The House is also aware that sometime in February 2022, delegates from the National Boundary Commission (N.B.C.) led by Mr. Femi Osinaike, met with the Former Deputy Governor of Osun State, who also doubled as the Chairman of Osun State Boundary Committee, in order to intervene in the boundary dispute between the affected communities in both States.
“The House is further aware that the National Boundary Commission (N.B.C)Â team were able to trace and discuss the Osun/Oyo interstate boundary, with the issues on the grey sectors to be sorted out.
“The House is worried that the lack of a definite, precise and clear boundary among the Local Governments affected in both States will lead to continuous conflicting territorial claims which will give rise to various disputes and clashes among the communities of Iwo and Ayedire Local Governments in Osun State and Lagelu Local Government of Oyo State;
“The House is also worried that if the interstate boundary dispute is not quickly resolved, there will be continuous loss of lives in the affected communities as well as prolonged negative impact on the lives and the means of livelihood of the affected populace;
“The House is disturbed that the effect of this boundary disputes among the three affected areas have been severe with numerous communities facing uncertainty, very limited access to resources and difficulties in executing initiatives/projects,” Hon. Mudashiru noted.
To this end, the House urged the Federal Government, National Boundary Commission and other relevant Agencies to promptly re-open the boundary adjustment process among Iwo Local Government, Ayedire Local Government of Osun State and Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State in order to find a lasting and amicable resolution.
The lawmakers also urged the institutions to conduct a thorough and impartial assessment of historical records, traditional boundaries, land title documents to ensure an accurate demarcation that respects the cultural and historical significance of the affected areas.
In the same vein, the lawmakers stressed the need to encourage the active participation and involvement of the affected communities, the affected local government councils, traditional leaders and stakeholders from Iwo Local Government, Ayedire Local Government and Lagelu Local Government in the settlement and adjustment of boundary process as their contributions are crucial in achieving a fair, just and peaceful co-existence amongst all parties involved.
They also harped on the need to encourage cooperation, peaceful dialogue and resolution among the affected communities of Iwo Local Government, Ayedire Local Government and Lagelu Local Government during the boundary adjustment process.
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