By JOHN ONAH, Abuja-
The Oju II Unity Forum condemns in its entirety, the unwanted, cruel, inhumane, calous and unfortunate destruction of properties at the main town of Igede, in Oju Local Government Area of Benue state where properties worth billions of naira were utterly and regrettably destroyed as a result of minor misunderstanding between two communities of Ibilla and Ukpa/Aniu councils as a result of ongoing enumeration of Area Demarcation (EAD).
In a release signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Eka A’adu Dickson
The crisis would’ve been avoided if the authority live up to expectations and be in charge of their games.
He disclosed that the Enumeration of Area Demarcation (EAD) was fully conducted in 2005 across Igedeland and it was peaceful and without rancor and there wouldn’t have been any challenges or difficulties since no new settlements were created in the affected area.
“We hereby call on the Oju LG Chairman, the Adirahu Ny’Igede and the entire Igede Intermediate Traditional Council, the Honourable members representing the affected regions, the National Commissioner of the National Population Commission representing Benue State who happened to be an Igede person and other constituted authorities to wade in immediately to arrest this unfortunate evil that bedeviled our peace loving Igede people.
The Forum further advice the above listed authorities to call NPC EAD workers to order to check what they’ve done so far and compare it with the standard and peaceful EAD work that was done in 2005.
“As vanguard of peace and tranquility in our region, we’re calling on the Clan and youth Presidents of Ainu, Idelle and Uwokwu to meet and dialogue before the exercise is wound down in Oju II State Constituency to ensure that the right thing is done”.
“The above listed authority is hereby enjoined to summon an extraordinary Igede meeting to review the activities of demarcators so far with a view to revealing what led to the inferno and ensuring that perpetrators of this heinous crimes are brought to justice. Igede is one and shall continue to remain one”, the statement said.
It would be recalled that the Phase 12 of the EAD was flagged off at the Palace of Adirahu Ny’Ígede, Chief Oga Ero on Wednesday.
National Chairman of the Commission, represented at the flag off by Federal Honourable Commissioner, Benue State, Barr. Mrs. Patricia Ori Kupchi-Iyanya, stated that the support and cooperation of the people were important because the EAD forms the basis for the planning and successful execution of Census project and Census in turn is the foundation for development of any nation.
Mrs Kupchi Iyanya said: “What we are doing is a basis for development. It is a foundation for development. It is not about boundary adjustment. It is about generation of data. And it is the NPC that has the constitutional mandate to build this framework and that is why in everything we do we leave no stone unturned to explain this to the people.
“Our commitment in the NPC to Benue State is to ensure no inch of the state is left un-captured. My mandate is to capture Benue state. It is the responsibility of the LG to give us guide. It is the responsibility of the communities to listen to us and answer our questions properly and we normally go to our royal fathers because they are the keepers and watchers of every community that we go to.
“We have not come to resolve boundary issues. That is National Boundary Commission matter. We have not come to adjust polling units which is INEC matter.”
She urged the stakeholders to support and cooperate with the demarcators.
In reactions, both the LG Chairman, Hon. Clement Onaa and the Igede royal father, Chief Oga Ero, assured the NPC of adequate support of the LG administration, the traditional council and the support of communities for the success of the exercise.
Leader of the legislative council Hon. David Ajunga and the entire councilors representing the various council wards to which the NPC functionaries would be deployed, among other stakeholders, formed the roll call at the flag off and advocacy event.