By Ogar Monday/Grace Orok
Traditional ruler in Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas have called on the State Government to permanently put an end to the lingering crisis between their border communities by properly and clearly demarcating the boundary between Oyadama and Inyima. The monarchs also insisted that it is the incessant crisis arising from the boundary disputes between the two communities that snowball into others.
Speaking on two separate occasions while receiving members of the reconciliation Committee of Partners For Peace (P4P) in the Niger Delta, Cross River State Chapter, the Obol Lopon of Yakurr, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng and his colleague from Obubra, His Royal Majesty Ovaar Ewona suggested that proper demarcation of the boundaries in warring communities could help in settling the disputes once and for all.
According to the Obol Lopon of Ugep, His Royal Majesty Obol Ofem Eteng, “If the government can properly demarcate the boundaries between these communities, and put in a place a buffer zone in between them, you won’t hear of these crisis again”.
The Obol Lopon added that there can be no meaningful development without peace and thanked members of Partners for Peace for trying to intervene in the crisis.
On his part, the King of Obubra, His Royal Majesty Ovaar Ewona speaking through the Secretary Obubra Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Nkon Sunday said Obubra and Yakuur are one as they were formerly the same local government before development made the Government separate them.
He further added that the issue of improper boundary demarcation is responsible for the crisis in Ababene and Iyamitet, saying the government will do well to demarcate these areas as they now live in distrust of each other.
Speaking after the visit to the traditional rulers, the Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee of Partners for Peace (P4P) Cross River State Chapter Alhaji Abdullahi Shabam said his committee were paying the visit to the traditional rulers in these communities as a result of the influence they have on their subjects and how their advocacy for peace will bring lasting calm to the warring communities around those areas.
Shabam added that the work of his committee is to prevent, mediate and seek lasting peace in communities so they visited to bring the message of peace which is the only foundation for sustainable development.