Reps wade into Ebonyi, Abia boundary dispute.

From Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja

The House of Representatives has called on the

governments of Abia and Ebonyi states as well as the

National Boundary Commission (NBC) to wade into  the communal crisis arising from a dispute between Ishiagu in

Ivo Local Government of Ebonyi State and Lokpanta

Umunneochi Local Government of Abia State.

The resolution is sequel to a Motion on Notice raised by

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (PDP, Abia) and titled, “Speedy

Boundary Delimitation between Ishiagu Ivo LGA of Ebonyi

State and Lokpanta Umunneochi LGA, Abia state”.

Onyejeocha’s prayers  in the motion include that the

House condemns the continuous upheaval in the area;

She also urged the House to mandate its committees on

NBC and the Surveyor-General of the Federation to effect

a final resolution of the conflict by the demarcation of the

troubled spots.

She called on the House to apply pressure on both state

governments to co-operate with the government 

agencies

in resolving the boundary dispute.

She noted that the stability, peace and economic activities

of affected communities in both States have been for a

couple of weeks in jeopardy as a result of the perennial

boundary dispute.

She said: “There have been a resurgence of armed

hostilities leading to wanton destruction of property and economic assets, heightened fears, looting. Release of

stray bullets and physical combat”.

“Information from the national archives indicate that as of

1927, Ishiagu and Obiagu towns were ceded from the old

Okigwe Division and were joined to the old Afikpo

Division”, Onyejeocha noted.

She added that the aforementioned  action which was

taken by colonial authorities at the time was to create 

administrative boundaries between Ishiagu and Lokpanta

at the railway that passed through the area, which has

now become a theatre of war that is grounding all

economic activities.

Her words: “The area is rich in solid minera resources like

quarry stones and different stones-crushing companies

are currently engaged by the two warring communities.

Because of the lingering crisis, the companies operations

in the area are affected and highly sub-optimal”.

Hon. Onyejeocha expressed worries that “lives and

propoerty in these communities are in great danger as

violent attacks which occur in splinter forms endanger free

movement and economic activities”.

“In fact, women and children from Lokpanta do not go to

the farm anymore for fear of molestation and rape”, 

she

said, quoting Leadership report of Sunday, July 26th and

Premium Times report of July 23rd of 2015 on the same

subject matter.

She warned that if no urgent and permanent steps are

taken to end the incessant communal feud between the

warring neighbouring communities, restiveness will

pervade as some people engage in destructive actions

that jeopardise the peaceful co-existence of the people.

The motion which attracted no debate from lawmakers on

the floor due to its self-explanatory content and argument

as opined by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara was passed with an

overwhelming voice vote.