Otuaro Calls On Presco Plc To Halt Activities On Delta/Edo Border Communities

…As Both States Implore NBC To Carry Out Final Demarcation Exercise 

The Delta State Acting Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has called for the cessation of activities of Presco Plc at Obiaruku, Umutu and Ogbe-Obi, Abavo forthwith.

The Acting Governor made the call at a Joint Delta/Edo meeting held on Tuesday, 17th July, 2018, at the Government House, Benin – City, Edo State over issues arising from the Delta/Edo interstate boundary dispute.

The acting governor said there was never a boundary dispute between the communities in those areas and there was no need creating any unnecessary tension. Deacon Otuaro, stated that both States were sister-states and should maintain the status quo until the boundary had been determined, disclosing that there had been several joint meetings between Delta and Edo States since their creation and the first was held in April, 1995, at Benin-City under the military era. 

Otuaro revealed that unlike previous meetings, this meeting was convened to discuss and resolved collateral matters associated with the boundary dispute which according to him had snowballed into a breakdown of law and order, forcible seizure of economic properties, displacement of people, harassment and intimidation by law enforcement agencies.

He also suggested that a joint committee of three persons each from both States be put in place, including the Attorneys -General, to look into all legal matters with a view to determining actual Criminality and /or persons who had exercise bona-fide claim of right and to examine concluded cases with a view of recommending immediate release of persons who are currently incarcerated.

According to Deacon Otuaro, the boundary meetings for dispute resolution could only be done with the active participation and guidance of officials of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and that of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation.

“Handling skirmishes and disputes arising between contending interests in the border area with a view to maintaining peace and order. I believed that implementation of these keys suggestions shall eliminate acts of harassment, intimidation, arrest, forceful acquisition, destruction of farmland and means of livelihood all of which are very alien to our common sensibilities” Deacon Otuaro said. 

Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Edo State/Chairman, Edo State Boundary Committee, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, disclosed that in the past, they had prevailed in the National Boundary Commission to expedite action on the demarcation of the boundary between the two States, adding that there was need for both States to call on the NBC to take urgent steps to carry out the final demarcation and put to rest the lingering tensions and agitations brewing in the border communities of the two States. 

While commending the Delta State Acting Governor for giving priority attention to the importance of interstate boundary meeting, the Edo State Deputy Governor said that the meeting could be regarded as a family affair to douse the mounting tension in the border communities of the two states.

Comrade Shaibu appealed to all communities in the border areas of the two States to embrace peace, saying that in the past, they had prevailed on the National Boundary Commission to expedite action on the demarcation of the boundary between the two States.

He expressed the need for both States to call on the NBC to take urgent steps to carry out the final demarcation that will no doubt, lay to rest the lingering tensions and agitations brewing in the border communities of the two States.