*Commends Obiano for prevailing peace, new roads, bridges
The incessant cross-border attacks on the crude oil bearing Aguleri-Otu community, Anambra East council of Anambra state has remained issue of great worry and concern to its monarch and natural ruler, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alex Anakpulu Edozieuno.
The monarch had a media chat with journalists in his Umuawunu palace, Mkpunando Ivite Aguleri yesterday to announce the kickoff of activities marking his Ovala Festival and 13th year anniversary.
During the chat, he sent a ‘save our soul’ call to the Federal and state governments over the border clashes and the wanton loss of lives and properties.
He shed tears recounting how many of his subjects had lost their lives and properties as a result.
The Ovala would hold this weekend, March 26, 2016 where sons and daughters of the community would closely interact and celebrate with the monarch.
He would use the opportunity to appreciate outstanding citizens of the area, while Chieftaincy titles would be conferred on some deserving citizens too.
According to him, “…we have been having boundary issues with the people of Ibaji, Kogi state. It actually predates our forebears.
“That’s why I wish to appeal to the Federal Government and the state government under the able leadership of our dear Chief Willie Obiano to step up actions to save us the unnecessary intermittent killings and destruction of property.”
Edozieuno reminded the Ibaji indigenes that as neighbors, ” the discovery and exploration of crude oil in Aguleri Otu will benefit all of us, including other less troubling neighbors of Enugu, Delta and Edo states.
And since we share same topography, the scientists have mooted that oil deposits may be found in Ibaji land too”, the traditional ruler stressed.
He admitted that indigenes of all the nearby communities have benefitted and have potentials to benefit more from the presence and activities of the oil prospecting and exploring companies in their midst.
On the situation on ground at the border area, he pointed that the FG’s Boundary Commission has on more than one occasion sent teams to visit the trouble spot.
He, however, lamented that the Ibaji people have not been cooperating well.
He therefore urged the new Kogi government Ibrahim Bello to step in like his other counterparts who had called peace meetings at Awka, Enugu, Delta and Edo states in search of peace.
Igwe Edozieuno admitted that all the neighboring border communities in these states have one issue or another with one another but that none has been as troubling and challenging as the Ibaji people.
That it got to a head since the exploration of crude oil spearheaded by the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc commenced about 2010.
He commended Gov Obiano “who just completed two successful years in office for the infrastructural revolution being witnessed in the whole state, especially within Aguleri Otu”.
He listed the police station, new well-paved roads, water projects, healthcare, schools, bridges at Eziagulu and Okpaali-Aguleri Otu and a lot other life-enhancing projects.
From Chuks Collins, Awka
