Ebonyi Govt Set To End Over 100 Years Land Disputes Between Abaomege, Ishinkwor
By Oko OMAKA (Abakaliki)
They are strong indications that the age-long land disputes between Abaomege and Ishinkwor communities may soon come to an end as Governor Francis Nwifuru is set to implement the white paper report.
The indications to this emerged recently at a stakeholders meeting of the warring communities in which the Governor disclosed of its readiness to signed a peace pact to permanently resolve the lingering communal clash.
The two brotherly communities of Abaomege and Ishinkwor have engaged in over 100 years of fratricide war, leading to wanton killings and destruction of valuable properties worth over hundreds of millions of Naira.
This development led to the setting up of the fact finding committee aimed at finding lasting solution to the intractable crisis.
And in readiness for the peace pact, the government came up with a White Paper implementation committee on Abaomege and Ishinkwor crisis headed by State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odoh.
Addressing stakeholders of the two communities at the Old Government House Abakaliki recently in preparation for signing of the peace pact, Odo expressed optimism that the state government will permanently resolve the crisis.
Odo said: “This committee is an implementation committee of white paper on Abaomege/ Ishinkwor crisis.
“Just as the name implies, we are not alternative dispute resolution committee, we are not fact-finding committee, we are not an appeal court or quasi committee, we are implementation committee.
“I am holding unto uncertainty with passionate conviction that this crisis between the good people of Abaomege and Ishinkwor that has lasted for 111 years will come to an end," he stated.
He disclosed that the state government has approved the rebuilding of Effium market and Effium high school destroyed by warlords in the Effium/Ezza Effium crisis in Ohaukwu local government area.
On his part, the traditional ruler of Ishinkwor community, HRH Jehoshaphat Nnanna, commended the state government for its efforts in resolving the age-long crisis.
He promised that his office and the community would would give all the necessary support to government to find permanent solution to the land disputes.
