Magnus Aluma, Abakaliki
The joy of the people knew no bounds yesterday at the Iziola Village Square, venue for the visit of the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Donatus Ilang and the Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Hon. Augustine Uburu.
The essence of the joint meeting was to seek ways of restoring peace in the area and the possible reintegration of the members of the village, who were banished in the aftermath of the crisis that ensued in the area in 2017.
NewsBits gathered that more than 400 indigenes of Iziola, in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, were banished from their homes in the aftermath of the conflict that broke in the area, in 2017, for various crimes.
Addressing the people, the Commissioner urged those whose properties were damaged, including some, who lost their loved ones to forgive and accept peace, adding that God will pay them back in folds.
Hon. Ilang directed the leadership and members of the village to reintegrate their brothers and sisters for permanent peace in their village and pave way for the development of the area.
“Development thrives only where there is peace, and so what we have demonstrated today, translates to the policies of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration’s People’s Charter of Needs,” he noted.
The Commissioner further directed that the properties including lands of those who went on exile should be released to them to pave way for final resolution of the crisis.
According to him, “the Ebonyi State Government is bringing peace to the grassroots and to ensure that it is implemented. To this end, we will not tolerate any person or group of persons who will do anything that will trigger crisis again in the village.”
In a remark, the Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Hon. Augustine Uburu observed that his administration has resolved a number of disputes in area. He urged the people to embrace the peace. Hon. Uburu further promised to repair the boreholes in the village for the people to enjoy especially within the Christmas and new year celebrations, adding that if there is no further report of crisis in the area in the next months, he will also grade their roads.
In their separate remarks, some stakeholders of the community, including Mr. Godwin Ugadu Mr. David Nworu, Mrs. Felicia Anyigor and Comrade Michael Oroke appreciated the State Government for her efforts in ensuring that peace is restored in their area.
They declared that they have accepted the peace established in their land and assured that the visit of the commissioner marked the end of the crisis. The village Head, Mr. Godwin Ugadu promised that his people will monitor the level of compliance to the peace resolution and report back to the state government.
