BOUNDARY CONFLICTS: OGUN, OYO ASSEMBLIES BEGIN PEACE PARLEY

BOUNDARY CONFLICTS: OGUN, OYO ASSEMBLIES BEGIN PEACE PARLEY

In its commitment towards resolving lingering crisis arising from boundary dispute between Ogun and Oyo States, as well as Osun State, the State House of Assembly has played host to its Oyo State counterpart led by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Ona- Ara State Constituency, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Declaring open, the meeting jointly chaired by the Deputy Speakers of Ogun and Oyo States, Honourables Lateefat Ajayi and Fadeyi, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, said that the boundary issues among the three States were a family matter that could be resolved amicably, commending the Oyo Assembly for the visit.

Elemide explained that the unity, peaceful coexistence and development of the Southwest remained sacrosanct, stressing the need for the officials of the National Boundary Commission to be present at the next meeting, as the teams from both State would have to undertake a joint physical verification of the sites for the representatives of the boundary commission to address all the issues raised by the residents of the affected boundary communities.

He called on the residents of the boundary communities to remain calm and allow peace to reign, saying that the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde, would be duly notified on the progress made by the two State Houses of Assembly.

In his remarks, the Oyo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Fadeyi said that their mission was to team up with their counterparts in Ogun State to find a lasting solution to the issue of boundary conflicts between Oyo and Ogun States involving communities and villages including those along Ibarapa East and Ibarapa Central- Elere, Ayegbede, Opeji, Ilugun, Atakan and Aya villages, as well as Iddo/ Bakatari, Obete and Apojola amongst others.

He said that the issue was raised under matter of urgent public importance on the floor of Oyo State House of Assembly, hence the need to solicit the support of the Ogun State House of Assembly and the representatives of the affected villages to come together with their Oyo counterparts to find a legislative means of addressing the perennial conflicts.

Also contributing, a member representing Water Side State Constituency, Hon. Samsideen Lawal, the Director of Legislative Drafting in the Ministry of Justice, Barr. James Mafe and the State Surveyor General Oladele Ewulo, recalled the efforts and progress made by the State in resolving the issues in the past, noting that the issues would be amicably resolved with the involvement of the officials from the National Boundary Commission.

Others who made presentations at the parley included the representatives of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Baales, representatives and residents of the affected communities amongst others.