The Oyo State government has announced necessary moves being made to settle long standing boundary disputes involving 12 local government areas (LGs) in the state.
The peace meeting involving representatives from the 12 local government areas, convened by the state government, took place at the Mediation Centre, Ministry of Justice, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, who doubled as chairman of the Boundary Committee, urged stakeholders in the concerned LGs to desist from causing troubles in their respective communities, based on the judgment given regarding their various disputes.
He explained that the inter-state boundary dispute and inter-boundary dispute needed to be solved amicably, noting that every responsible government would always want to prevent violence, massacre and bloodshed.
The deputy governor noted that the establishment of the Boundary Committee is constitutional, and it is legally binding.
He said the disputes between Ibadan South West and Oluyole LGs, Akinyele and Afijio LGs were adjourned respectively, until next boundary meeting which will be communicated to all parties concerned.
Lawal hinted that the committee adopted judgments from the High Court and Appeal Court for the boundary dispute between Kajola and Iwajowa LGs, while Oyo East and Afijio LGs were informed that they should expect a verdict regarding their cases.
He maintained that the committee still needs more legal documents and evidence from the two parties regarding the dispute between Saki West and Atisbo LGs.
The chairman of the committee said the Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area was asked to provide more updates and do follow-ups to the intra-local government boundary conflict.
The committee appealed to Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa East LGs to allow peace to reign, urging the Surveyor General of the State to escalate the matter by defining administrative boundary (boundary between LGs) apart from town/village boundary.
In his observation at the meeting, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said peace is paramount to this administration.
He stressed that a government that set a record of 40 installations of obas and baales will not want peaceful communities to be disturbed by boundaries strives.
He assured all the concerned LGs that the present administration in the state considered peaceful co-existence and dialogue as a solution to any dispute.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, implored concerned parties to accept rulings and mediation tactics employed by the committee for their cases.
He maintained that the committee based its judgment on the facts and documents provided by the parties.
Also, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Biodun Aikomo, assured the concerned LGs that the committee will conduct thorough investigations to establish a position aimed at delivering a fair and just resolution.
The LGs concerned with disputed areas include; Ibadan South-West and Oluyole; Oyo East and Afijio; Kajola and Iwajowa local government areas;
Akinyele and Afijio; Saki West and Atisbo; Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa East; and Agbaa and Oko communities in Surulere.
