A delegation from the National Boundary Commission (NBC) on Monday arrived in Osun to intervene in the boundary disputes between some communities in the state and Oyo State.
The team, led by Mr Femi Osinaike, visited the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, who is also the Chairman of Osun State Boundary Committee in Osogbo.
Osinaike said the mandate of his team was to aggregate and harmonise divergent views and positions of the disputed communities and enlighten them on boundary alignment, preparatory to further intervention.
“Our team is in Osun for townhall meetings with representatives of disputed border communities of Osun sharing interstate boundaries with Oyo state, with a view to settling every contending issue amicably,” he said.
He, however, commended the Osun Government for “consistent developmental drive of the administration,” adding that Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola had displayed seriousness in governance.
The team leader also lauded the deputy governor for the warm reception accorded them, which according to him, indicated high level of sensitivity and responsiveness towards the wellbeing of the people.
He said: “It has become imperative to brief the deputy governor, who is the Chairman of Osun Boundary Committee, on the status of Osun with Oyo State boundary.
“Osun/Oyo interstate boundary has been traced and discussed with grey sectors to be sorted out.
“However, the National Boundary Commission, in partnership with the states, is expected to identify the issues of the grey sectors and plan further action towards addressing them.
“The communities involved in Osun are: IIosin/Iro in Ejigbo Local Government Area as well as Ogunjana/Ogburo in Iwo Local Government Area.
“The affected communities in Oyo state are under Surulere Local Government Area.”
In his response, the deputy governor reiterated the readiness of the state government to support the team in all ways and ensure that the intervention achieved it’s original goal.
Alabi stressed that the state clearly understood the importance of peaceful co-existence as a catalyst for progress, hence the adoption of Alternative Conflict Resolution, as the best approach to settle land disputes among contiguous states.
He said since the inception of the present administration, it has recognised the urgency and necessity of having a robust mechanism for resolving contentious issues on boundary matters within and with Osun neighbouring states.
“Considering the pedigree and cultural philosophy of our state as harbinger of Omoluabi ethos, we prioritised Alternative Conflict Resolution method as the best and most realistic model of settling any boundary dispute involving our state.
“I want to state that the idea of administrative boundary was conceived by the colonial masters for administrative convinience, which are in no way traditional or natural.
“Therefore, the states involved in the boundary disputes should see themselves as one and embrace the principle of give and take in the boundary resolutions.
“I greatly appreciate this laudable intervention between our state and Oyo. It is indeed timely and proactive,” the deputy governor said. (NAN)
