C”River Govt. orders Immediate Suspension of all activities on disputed lands

By Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

The Cross River State Government has suspended all activities on the disputed lands in Ikom and Obubra local Government areas of the State.

The Nations News reports that the suspension is aimed to address the protracted inter-communal crisis between the Ekukunela/Alesi communities in Ikom Local Government Area and the Odonget/Ochon/Isabang communities in Obubra Local Government Areas of the state.

The Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, acting on behalf of the State Governor gave the directives when he convened a peace and security meeting with leaders and critical stakeholders from the affected local government areas held at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Room in Calabar

According to him: “In his words,all residents of the affected communities are hereby directed to cease every form of activity on the disputed land until a proper boundary demarcation is carried out”.

“Community leaders and representatives from both Ikom and Obubra LGAs of  the State should submit all relevant documents that has to do with the crisis to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh”, he added.

The government has also Inaugurated a peace committee tasked with the responsibility of identifying the root cause of the conflict and to recommend sustainable solution to government. 

Meanwhile, 8-man peace committee was Inaugurated with a mandate to put some palliative measures in place amongst other things for the displaced persons affected by the crisis, and submit its reports in two weeks 

In his Statement, the Deputy Governor  called on all parties to embrace peace and remain law-abiding, stressing that this administration will not condone any further acts of violence or defiance of government directives. 

The Chairmen of the affected Local Government Areas, as Chief Security Officers of their jurisdictions, were also directed to ensure full compliance with the resolutions, warning that failure to enforce these directives will attract immediate suspension from office.