BOUNDARY DISPUTE: Call Demarcation Team To Order, Delta Community Urges Oborevwori

Sheriff Oborevwori
Governor, Delta state

"This wild and irresponsible claim of land will in no way be helpful to the Government in resolving the land dispute. Rather it will aggravate the already tensed situation orchestrated by the fact we have already conceded so much in our bid to make peace." Aladja community warns.

The Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State has urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to call to order, the demarcation team handing the ongoing demarcation exercise between them (Aladja) and Ogbe-Ijoh Community. 

The mandate by the governor, in the ongoing demarcation exercise between them(Aladja) and Ogbe-Ijoh Communities has been flouted by the Surveyor of the State Government, the community stated.

Aladja Community made the call in a protest letter sent to Governor Oborevwori. 

The letter was signed by Comrade Okakotu Shell GodFirst, President Aladja Community Council, Apst. Lucky Figbele, Oghuvwie-Ode of Aladja Community and Mr. Reuben Doro, Chairman, Aladja Welfare Movement respectively. 

The demarcation exercise, according to the Aladja Community is supposed to commence from the Major. Gen. R.M. Dumudje's canal was started afresh, stressing that, "this will not achieve the desired purpose."

While it reiterated its honest desire for the amicable settlement of the land dispute between the two communities, Aladja Community said, "We are not willing to do that on the alter of justice."

Aladja Community expressed shock that the representatives of Ogbe-Ijoh Community were requested by the surveyor at the start of the exercise, to mark the area of the land in dispute from Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh road. 

According to Aladja Community, "They did this by traversing farms, plantations belonging to its people including the entire length of the Major-General R.M. Dumuje's Canal, Aladja Grammar School, Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters by marking same as disputed land.

"This wild and irresponsible claim of land will in no way be helpful to the Government in resolving the land dispute. Rather it will aggravate the already tensed situation orchestrated by the fact we have already conceded so much in our bid to make peace."

Aladja Community also said, "In the same vein, representatives from Aladja Community were requested to mark out area in dispute. Thus, the entire land between the two communities was marked out as the disputed area with over Ninety percent (90%) on the Aladja side. This is unacceptable to us as our heritage is being threatened. 

"We are aware of the ploy of Ogbe-Ijoh Community to pressurise the team to implement the minority report signed by the two representatives of Ogbe-Ijoh Community in the Prof. A. Ekoko's panel. This ploy, we have also brought to the notice of the government. It seems the interest of the minority is holding sway."