Emetu assures Itumbauzo people of peaceful resolution of land dispute
The Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu has said that the present administration in the state will continue to lay emphasis on peaceful co-existence between and among the communities in the state and even with the sister states.
Speaking during a boundary meeting held at his conference hall, Government House, Umuahia, with Amaba and Ndiwo communities and Mr. Paul Chukwuma who hails from Ndiwo but lives and owns a land in Amaba, Emetu harped on harmonious living across the communities in the state, as the State has other boundary issues that are very serious with about seven states around Abia State, stating that internal boundary should not be a distraction but should be solved amicably.
The incident that brought about the meeting was a boundary dispute between Amaba Ubibia community and Ndiwo community both in Itumbauzo in Bende L.G.A, which Supreme court judgement ruled in favour of Amaba community, Ndiwo accepted the judgment in good fate but insisted that there are also some individuals whose land are also in the disputed area amongst whom is the late Mr Paul Udonja whose 12 plots of lands is now inherited by his son Mr. Chukwuma Paul.
After listening to the submissions made by both Amaba and Ndiwo representatives and Mr. Chukwuma Paul, Emetu who is the Chairman of the State Boundary Council, established that Mr. Paul owned two acres of land in the area and the council would come and determine the map on the ground to indicate the boundary base and map out Mr. Paul’s land from it.
His words, “From what was heard at the last meeting, we gathered that there is no form of land dispute between Amaba Ubibia people and Ndiwo community. Based on the supreme court judgement, Ndiwo people do not own lands there. So the only problem that is brewing is that of Paul and the community. This problem will be solved amicably and the 12 plots of lands which belongs to Mr Paul Udonja, who is now late, will be restored back to his son, Mr. Chukwuma Paul”.
He pointed out that the council has the mandate to do the right thing in making sure that the needed peace in the state especially within sister communities within the state is restored.
Tendering the court judgements before the Council, the Counsel to the Amaba people, Barr. I. B.
Uwon. gave a brief details of disputed land.
Speaking also, the son of the late Mr. Paul Udonja, narrated how the land was bought from Amaba people by his father, tendering also the document to the council and further narrated how he narrowly escaped from death in the hands of Amaba people and expressed confidence that the matter will be handled seamlessly by the Council..
In their separate speeches, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo and the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Chief Bassey sued for peace and expressed optimism that the matter will be resolved in the shortest period of time.
