Follow Us on Google
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State, Etim Asido, has established a 17-member committee to resolve decades-old land and border disputes that had plagued the area.
Disputes that the Boundary and Conflict Resolution Committee are expected to address include the Ikoneto and Okoyong dispute, Efedem (Uyi)/Ekim Ebebit/Akwa Ekim dispute, as well as the Obionno/Obio Okon Nyong/Ikot Ebti dispute.
Some of the disputes within the area have led to large-scale destruction of properties, loss of lives and displacement of people.
This initiative, the Council Chairman said, marks a significant step towards addressing the complex issues that have hindered development and fuelled tensions among communities.
The Chairman said the area is a far cry from what it ought to be due to persistent and unending conflicts.
“Every unresolved conflict is a locked door against our economic development,” the chairman said, tasking the committee to bring justice that heals to the area and ensure their legacy becomes an echo of peace and unity.
The committee chairman, Otuekong Bassey Etim, thanked the council boss for finding them worthy to bring peace to the area.
The Odukpani Boundary and Conflict Resolution Committee has nine terms of reference, which include interacting with the disputing parties, collating documents, visiting crisis areas and taking cognisance of Supreme Court decisions.
The committee is expected to bring lasting peace to the disputing communities in order to create room for development.
