We Must Find Lasting Peace to Konshisha/Oju Crisis - Abounu

.....sets date for boundary demarcation

By Aviashima Toom.

Benue state government has finally sets date for boundary demarcation between Okpute community if Oju local government and Bonta community of Konshisha Local government of Benue states

This burn out of the desire putting  measure aimed at permanently ending the lingering crisis between the two communities of Benue state, 

 Deputy Governor and chairman, Benue State Boundary Committee, Engr Benson Abounu is to lead a delegation of the Boundary Committee to carry out demarcation of the boundary between the warring communities.

Engr Abounu stated this Thursday as part of the resolutions reached at a State Security Council meeting at Government House, Makurdi with the two Local Government Chairmen of Konshisha, Hon. James Jirgba and his Oju Counterpart, Hon. Clement Onaa as well as other stakeholders including traditional rulers, State House of Assembly members from Konshisha and Oju, community elders, top government appointees, and youth leaders.

The demarcation exercise, which is to take place one week after Easter celebration shall be preceded by a joint meeting of youths and elders from the two communities, who shall collectively look at the boundary and identify the flashpoints of disagreement in order to ease the work of the demarcation team.

The two communities unanimously agreed to cease all forms of hostilities, and open to traffic, the ever busy Awajir-Oju road which has been deserted following the outbreak of hostilities between the two neighbours. 

Engr. Abounu, who expressed sadness over the renewed crisis between the two communities after so much peace had been achieved in the talks held some weeks ago at his office, expressed the sympathy of the Benue State Government with all the victims of the needless violence and destruction of lives and properties. 

He lamented that officials of the State Boundary Committee sent to the disputed area to resolve the matter, after their last meeting, muddled up the issue, resulting in the fresh outbreak of hostilities.

The Deputy Governor however commended the peaceful disposition and initiative of the Executive Chairman, Konshisha Local Government, Hon. James Jirgba who recommended that the committee should go back to the drawing board by revisiting the resolutions reached recently at the Deputy Governor's office for Peace to reign permanently between the two communities. He described Jirgba as a complete gentleman and a peace loving leader.

Abounu urged the victims not to revenge but rather forgive their attackers, adding that, as people from the same state,  the two communities should seek peaceful ways of resolving crisis in order to live together.

In their separate remarks, the two Local Government Chairmen, Hon. James Jirgba and Clement Onaa expressed dismay at the renewed crisis between Okpute and Bonta communities. 

Although like all other stakeholders who spoke at the meeting, Jirgba and Onaa agreed that the traditional method of land demarcation be used rather than the the use of modern technology, Jirgba was of the opinion that the technological means should not be discarded completely.

 He suggested that after the traditional method which involves physical presence of both parties looking at real facts and drawing a demarcation line, technology should be use applied for the sake of posterity.