​‌‌⁠‌⁠⁠‌⁠Ebonyi resolves 50 boundary, community, election disputes in nine months

EThe Ebonyi Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Paul Nwobashi, says the state government has resolved 21 boundary disputes and 29 community, village and election-related disputes from January to date.

Nwobashi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in his office in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

He said the ministry handled boundary disputes, community land disputes, leadership tussles and other conflicts capable of threatening peaceful coexistence among communities.

“Our ministry handles boundary disputes, community land disputes, leadership tussles and other conflicts affecting peaceful coexistence among communities.

“The ministry mediates in such disputes whenever they arise, and this has helped to restore peace and promote development.

“We have made significant impact in peace-building among communities. We have so far resolved 21 boundary disputes and 29 community, village and election-related disputes,” he said.

The commissioner attributed some boundary disputes to the removal of boundary pillars by land grabbers and disagreements over royalties from areas endowed with mineral resources.

“Ebonyi is blessed with abundant mineral resources, and sometimes communities and villages fight over who controls the royalties from these resources, thereby resulting in crises,” he said.

Nwobashi said peace was essential for development, adding that the administration of Gov. Francis Nwifuru had continued to prioritise peace and the welfare of residents through its People’s Charter of NNeeds agenda.

He described the ministry’s assignment as challenging but said its officials remained committed to achieving results in line with the vision and mission of the state government.

“The ministry works with integrity, as no amount of pressure can make us change the truth or compromise our standards,” he said.

The commissioner commended Nwifuru for his support to the ministry and urged residents to continue to promote peace, stressing that meaningful development could not take place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.

(NAN)