By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State Government has waded into the planned move by its Ondo counterpart to cede some Ijaw communities located in Egbema, Warri North local government area of Delta State.
A fact-finding meeting was held at Government House Asaba between leaders of Opuama, Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities and the Delta State Boundary Committee presided over by the State Deputy governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.
At the meeting held Thursday, the people of Opuama, Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities told the Boundary Committee that they were at the verge of defending themselves, following efforts by the Ondo State Government to illegally annex their communities into Ilaje East Local Development Area, LDA.
Deputy governor Onyeme while assuring the communities and other communities in the State that are experiencing similar issues of the State government’s commitment to protect them.
Said he, “you have made your case very loud and clear about where you belong because you have been able to trace your history from the defunct Western region.
“Your facts are enough to convince anybody that you belong to Delta State; Delta State has never dreamt of ceding any part or any community to other states, so, do not be afraid as government will do everything within its powers to ensure that the matter is resolved.
“It is good to know that the Chairman of Warri North is from your community and four councillors who are representing your communities are also domiciled in Warri North and your votes are counted in Delta State, so, it is wrong for any other state to want to annex those communities”.
Chief David Ugedi who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, gave historical perspective of their roots in Delta State, disclosing that the interest of the government of Ondo State was mainly about oil resources in their communities.
He stated that they were ready to defend themselves if such is required and asked Delta and the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, intervene.
