The people of Ishinkwo Community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have issued an open letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru, alleging that the ongoing land demarcation exercise between them and neighboring Abaomege Community has been compromised.
In the letter presented to journalists by Comrade Itumo Joseph, President General of Ishinkwo Community Development Union, accompanied by Youth President Hon. Ndubuisi Awoh, the community accused the land demarcation implementation committee of disregarding the government white paper on the land dispute in favor of Abaomege Community.
Allegations of Bias and Injustice
"The whole boundary demarcation exercise is being hijacked by influence, peculiar interest, clannishness, nepotism and sectional interest exhibited by those seated in the corridor of power against the Ishinkwo Community," the letter stated. "Ishinkwo, as a people, have been treated as not part of the electorate or governed by the governance in Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, and Nigeria at large."
The community alleged that surveyors promptly acted on boundary claims made by Abaomege Community while ignoring Ishinkwo's complaints. They cited specific instances where the committee allegedly contravened the official gazette white paper by attempting to cede four sub-villages from Ishinkwo to Abaomege.
"Paragraph 2 of the official gazette white paper in considering proximity, Iyocha swamp land is nearer to Abaomege Community, and it was ceded to them, whereas Ekerigwe and Agbechicha are situated in the hinterland of Ugwuokwe village in Ishinkwo Community," the letter explained.
The community emphasized that they have been living, farming, and burying their ancestors in these areas for decades, with houses still present in the disputed territory. "The action entails pure rape of justice," they stated.
Community's Demands
The Ishinkwo Community is requesting that Governor Nwifuru ensure proper implementation of the white paper, particularly regarding the five swamp lands mentioned in the document: Igborkor, Idumayo, Eguachara, Obayi, and Ngene Obenwa/Okobo.
They also requested that areas already demarcated be amended to align with the white paper and that lands not originally part of the disputed territory be excluded from the demarcation process.
"Ishinkwo Community is ready to accept the result of the demarcation process if it truly reflects what is contained in the official gazette white paper and otherwise," the community stated, adding that all efforts to reach the Governor had failed, prompting the open letter.
The letter was signed by 15 community stakeholders, including village heads, kindred representatives, and community officials. Despite their grievances, the community commended Governor Nwifuru for his administration's efforts to maintain peace and order throughout Ebonyi State.
The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges of land demarcation and boundary issues in Ebonyi State, which continue to test the state government's conflict resolution mechanisms.
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