25th June, 2015
The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, has called on the National Boundary Commission to intervene in a boundary dispute between the state and Ebonyi.
The deputy governor made the call in Enugu on Wednesday when she received her counterpart from Ebonyi, Dr Kelechi Igwe.
She said the two neighbouring states had maintained a robust relationship and efforts should be made to sustain it.
The deputy governor appealed to the residents of the disputing communities to sheathe their swords and allow the relevant government agencies to settle the matter in the interest of peace.
Ezeilo commended the Ebonyi deputy governor for initiating the peaceful consultation, adding that the state government would do everything to bring the tussle to an amicable end.
Earlier, Igwe said that he was in Enugu to work out a lasting solution to the impasse between Ihenta in Akaeze, Ebonyi and Okpanku in Aninri, Enugu before it degenerated.
He said that it had become imperative to get the affected communities to respect protocols established in respect of the boundary pending a final resolution.
The deputy governor said that the two states needed to work out a lasting solution by mapping out a permanent boundary in the designated areas.
“We have to do everything within the law to protect the lives and property of our people,” he said.
Igwe solicited the cooperation of the residents of the concerned communities in finding a lasting solution to the problem.