By Elijah Ugani
As the part of the concerted efforts of Mr. Boniface Eraye Ewhe to find a lasting solution to the long lasting intertribal/communual land dispute between Obudu local government of cross river state and Vandiekya local government area of Benue state, the Chairman had today 24th August, 2020 paid a courtesy visit to his counterpart, Mrs. Paulyn Tyler-Garba, Chairperson of Vandiekya local government council.
Receiving Mr. Boniface Eraye Ewhe at the Executive Chambers of Vandiekya local government council, the Chairperson Hon. Tyoer-Garba, expressed delight in the efforts made by the energetic chairman of Obudu local government council to meet with her and garrantteed his safety as he undertook the peace accord.
Tyoer-Garba who was very elated by the initiative of the Obudu council chairman, could not help herself but was full of excitement as she commended the gesture of Mr. Boniface Eraye Ewhe for the priority attention which is indicative of the interest he has for Kunav people.
She maintained that “Kunav people and Obudu people have a long history of cohabiting and sharing culture. This peaceful coexistence has been constantly threatened by incessant crises.
“Many of us have roots from Obudu people, we have relatives including mothers, uncles, aunties and so on from your people so it is very wrong for us to be fighting always”
Responding, Mr. Ewhe congratulated Hon. Paulyn on her victory at the polls that saw her became the first female chairperson of Vandiekya Local Government and promised to do the very best within his capacity to ensure that the two tribes put an end to their long lasting hostilities.
In his words “My administration prioritizes security and since my assumption of office, I have been making efforts to meet with you to see how we can brainstorm, consult widely, develop templates that will bring lasting peace between my people and your people.
“To buttress your earlier assertion, our people have a long history together and it baffles me every time we carry arms against ourselves, this is archaic and mundane. We cannot allow this to continue, it retards our development. Each time we carry arms, lives and properties worth millions of naira are destroyed without any form of assistance from either the state, federal governments or organizations. We must put an end to this and restrategize using the best and most acceptable approaches in resolving this altercation in our best interest.
“I have been briefed of the efforts of past administrations to demarcate our boundaries that ended in futility but this time I want us to succeed in doing that. I have made efforts on my own to see that the federal government comes in and demarcate this boundary once and for all so that our people can finally have peace”
As part of the resolutions from the meeting, the monthly joint security meeting between the two local governments was rivived.
The two local governments were to liase with the federal government to attract a federal government project to the disputed area, which will create job opportunities for the teaming unemployed youths who are always at the forefront of the skirmishes.
The neighboring local government councils to initiate cultural festivals to be jointly hosted at intervals to create awareness on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
The meeting had in attendance principal officers of Vandiekya local government (Including the Vice Chairman, Secretary of Council, DGSA and DSO) and the ESO of Obudu Local Government, Mr. Fred Ugbong.
This move by Mr. Boniface Eraye Ewhe is in furtherance to his determination and zeal to forestall peace in Obudu local government area as the chief security officer of the council.
Since assumption of office, Mr. Ewhe has held series of meetings with security agencies in Obudu as well as met at intervals with the Ukwortung and Kutia communities in Obudu local government to broker peace between the two communities.
Mr. Ewhe holds the philosophy that no meaningful development can strive in the face of choars and social malardy, is working round the clock to ensure that his people enjoy the needed peace within his tenure as council chairman and even beyond.
This among others is a follow up to call he made to the youths of the council to desit from all forms of activities that presents Obudu local government council in the negative light, occasioned by the frequent thievery, kidnappings, cult clash among others when he took over council.
The chairman had warned that he will stop at nothing to ensure that all those who will continue to disturb the peace of Obudu will be arrested and prosecuted in line with stipulated rules. He had however, promised the youths to be patient while he finds a way of attracting grants to enable them undertake small businesses as well as engage in agriculture to garraunttee food security.
