The traditional ruler of Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area Igwe John Mark Anyaoha has initiated moves aimed at resolving the boundary dispute between the community and neighbouring Owerre Ezukala.
The move is coming barely a month after he was issued with certificate of recognition by the Anambra State government.
The land under contention, Ikpaebu, a large stretch of hectare that connects Ogbunka and Owerre Ezukala, both in the same local government area, has brought fatal crises between the two towns since 1937.
Correspondent Daniel Ezeigwe, reports that it was as a result of persistent inter-communal crises that had trailed the land dispute that upon his enthronement, Igwe Anyaoha took it as one of his cardinal responsibilities to find a lasting peace between the two sister communities, by seeking a different conflict resolution approach.
One of such steps is a visit to the said land, alongside other traditional rulers in the area and some stakeholders in Orumba South including the Transition Committee Chairman of the council, Chief Cyprian Okereke, Presidents General, led by the President-General of Umunze, Chief John Akanyeonu, who is the leader of Presidents General in Orumba South, Divisional Police Officers from the police divisions overseeing the two towns, two village heads living in the disputed land ends, and vigilante groups from both Communities.
One of the most evident arguments in the dispute is the case of an already-destroyed primary school; Ikpaebu Central School, Ogbunka, said to have been built by the Christian Missionary Society, CMS, in 1937.
After an on-the-spot assessment of issues arising from the fracas, a particular spot which had become notorious for gun clashes was restricted from entry by both communities for six months, except for farmers harvesting already-planted crops, to give the panel of inquiry into the land dispute enough time to work on evidence tendered by both towns and bring a peaceful resolution.
A team of vigilante members, as suggested by Igwe Anyaoha, was also dispatched to the crisis spot to ward off trespassers and maintain peace.
In an interview, the Chairman of Orumba South Traditional Rulers’ Council and traditional ruler of Nawfijah, Igwe Clifford Okeke, who is heading the panel of inquiry into the land dispute, expressed dismay at the fatal clashes that had heralded the peace moves, noting that if the two towns showed commitment to the restriction order, it would help the panel in its peace process.
On his part, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South Local Government Area, Chief Okereke, said that the panel is not altering State government’s earlier boundary demarcation, but was looking deeper to discover the bone of contention and put an end to it.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Ogbunka, Igwe Anyaoha, expressed satisfaction with the ruling of the panel, saying that he trusted that the panel would pursue transparency to install peace between the two towns.
Igwe Anyaoha also commended the commitment of the State government to ending the crisis, stressing that it meant that the government is truly listening to the calls of his people.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Owerre Ezukala, Igwe Thomas Ogbonnaya, commended the panel for its efforts so far and said that he is optimistic that a justified call would be made eventually.
The President-General of Umunze, Chief John Akanyeonu, who is also the Chairman of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, in Orumba South, also commended the immense role played by the Presidents-General of Ogbunka and Owerre Ezukala in resolving the issue, noting that it meant that peace is close.
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