The Delta State Government has prohibited land transactions in Ogwashi-Uku and its surrounding towns, especially in disputed boundary regions, until further notice because to the persistent land deputies.
At a meeting on Friday at Government House Asaba to settle Ogwashi-Uku monarchy, chieftaincy, and land conflicts with neighboring communities, Mr. Monday Onyeme, the state deputy governor, issued the decision.
“Until further notice, all land sales in Ogwashi-Uku and its neighboring communities, specifically in disputed boundary areas, are hereby banned.
“The government is resolved to put to an end all boundary disputes bothering between various communities in the state in order for the people to live in peace with one another.
“The meeting is a fallout from the State Security Council meeting which directed my office to address the issue which includes the deposition and replacement of gazetted Chiefs of Ogwashi-Uku by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
“Other issues as land ownership and administration of land titles in Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities, boundary disputes with other local government areas and the plethora of civil and criminal cases emanating from the resistance of the installation of new chiefs by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku,” he stated.
The Deputy Governor stated that the meeting was held to find an amicable solution because the government was worried about the issues and had received multiple petitions and complaints about them.
He gave his word that every concern would be investigated because real progress could not be made in the absence of peace.
With the intention of providing a long-lasting solution, the state government established a committee headed by Mr. Ekemejero Owhoviorole, SAN, the Commissioner for Justice and State Attorney General. The committee’s members included the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Secretary of the State Boundary Committee, the Permanent Secretary, Chieftaincy Affairs, the Office of the Deputy Governor, and a representative from the Technical Committee of the State Boundary Committee.
He gave the go-ahead for all parties to provide the committee with the required documentation within seven days and to assist the committee in completing its task.