BENIN CITY – Edo State Government is poised to settle all the lingering internal boundary disputes across the 18 councils and amongst its neighbouring states of Delta, Ondo and Kogi.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa quoted the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu as saying that ” we are going to deal with all internal and external boundary issues before we leave office. There must be peace across the state. We are tired of all these skirmishes and blood letting in the name of boundary disputes”.
The Deputy Governor bared his mind in his office at a meeting with members of the state boundary committee as part of preparation for a crucial meeting with his Delta State counterpart over the lingering boundary disputes in Orhiomwon Local Government. In attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of Orhiomwon Local Government, Hon Silvester Okoro, representatives of the communities, Managing Directors of Presco Plc and Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited.
The representatives of the two companies at the meeting pleaded with their host state government, Edo to come to their aide as they live under the threats of their hostile Delta State neighbours who harass and intimidate their existence daily. According to them, ” we have suffered the loss of our palms and rubber over time even our staff are attacked daily”. The representatives of Presco specifically mentioned an incidence whereby one of the policemen attached to the company was brutally attacked with matcet and suffered life threatening cuts on his head, but for the adequate and prompt medical care he would have died.
Responding, Rt. Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu assured that the Edo Stare Government is ready to see to a lasting peaceful resolution to the boundary dispute. He said the meeting slated for Benin City today with his Delta State counterpart and boundary committees of the two states was part of the efforts to bring peace to the communities so that the companies can operate in a crisis free environment.
He commended members of Edo State Boundary Committee for their dedication andselfless service to the state. According to him, ” we trust your judgement given your knowledge and credibility on boundary matters. This is why we do not influence whatever you do as a committee. Whatever you bring to us, we look at it dispersionatly and implement without fear or favour. Nobody is bigger than the law no matter how highly placed”.
