WARRI – Okiemute Okpomor
Government silence or in-action over the crisis between Ogbe-Ijoh and Agbarha Kingdom of Warri is a recipe for disaster just as government has been called upon to make public the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the perennial Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja crisis.
This was disclosed by Olorogun Moses Taiga, President General, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Worldwide when he led the executive of the apex socio-cultural organisation on a fact finding visit to the palaces of HRM Ememoh 111, Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom, Warri and HRM Owhorhu 1 JP, Ovie of Udu Kindom.
He said that he embarked on the fact finding visit to get first hand knowledge of the true situation on ground and work towards attaining peace with neighbours of Urhobo nation.
Olorogun Taiga said that the UPU will reach out to leaders of Ijaw nation such as Alaowei Broderick Bozimo and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark to call their people to order, broker peace to avert looming crisis as well as prevail on them to see the need to embrace peace in order to restore good neighborliness that once existed between the Urhobos of Agbarha Kingdom, Warri , Aladja and the Ijaws.
According to Olorogun Taiga, “when we were inaugurated as executives of the UPU, we promised to build bridges with our neighbours, so this fact finding visit is in keeping our promises and to enable us get true picture of the pockets of crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh and Agbarha Kingdom, Warri and Ogbe-Ijoh to see what we can do to assist in restoring permanent peace between us and our neighbours. We shall approach the leadership of Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Alaowei Broderick Bozimo and others to ensure that permanent peace is restored.”
Olorogun Taiga called on government to take proactive action by completing the Ogbe-Ijoh Market in the acquired area and hand it over to the Warri South Local Government Council to avert blood shed because there are reported allegations of illegal occupation of the place and women from Agbarha Kingdom, Warri being denied access to trade in the market.
The President General of the UPU added, “why has Government not released the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh crisis? The report, we heard is ready, why the foot dragging,I am using this opportunity to call on Government to make the report public not minding whose ox is gored . Not releasing the report is more dangerous.”
At the palace of HRM Ememoh, Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom, Warri,the monarch commended the UPU for the bold and laudable steps taken to help sort out the crisis saying, “this is the first of it’s kind in the history of the UPU for coming down to our kingdom to find out what our problem is, this administration of the UPU is a round peg in a round hole, the cap fits,” he then directed Chief Emmanuel Ememu, President General of Agbarha Kingdom of Warri to properly brief the UPU executives led by Olorogun Taiga on the crisis.
Chief Ememu, President General, Agbarha Kingdom, Warri gave graphic detail report laced with historical documents of ownership of land and genesis of the crisis with the Ijaws, he said that they would resist any attempt to oppress them just as he called on the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa led administration to complete the market and hand it over to the Warri South Local Government Council to avert further crisis.
At Aladja, palace of HRM Owhorhu 1 JP, Ovie of Udu Kingdom, the monarch also gave graphic historical details backed with historic documents to show their ownership of the land , he commended the UPU for the steps they had taken urging them not to relent until permanent peace is put in place and justice is done.
The monarch disclosed that the river is the natural boundary just as he called on government to take more proactive measures to stem further attacks to avoid more blood Shed.
