Finally, Ugborodo Factional Leaders Embrace Peace

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, April 17, (THEWILL) â€' The peace that seemed elusive to the Ugborodo community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State is about to return at last.

‎Factional leaders in the three-month-old crisis triggered by controversies over unresolved issues bordering the multi-billion naira Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project to be sited in the area have resolved to sheathe their swords at last.

THEWILL can report that at a ceremony on Monday at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, efforts to broker peace among the warring factions eventually paid off with the signing of a peace pact by representatives of both factions.

Both the Alex Ideh/David Tonwe and the Chief Thomas Ereyitomi factions endorsed the Federal Government-brokered peace pact at the

Naval Headquarters, Abuja, after arriving at an amicable resolution.

The agreement was signed under the close watch of representatives of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Secretary to the Delta State government, among others.

The initial controversy bordered on the membership of the expected new EPZ Interface Committee constituted by the State and Federal Government.

Both factions in the crisis had submitted their respective 10 nominees for the reconstituted committee which has the State government's appointed Austin Oborogbeyi as its chairman.

Listed, in addition to Dr Ideh and Tonwe, in their faction, are Dr Ayo Ayomike, Maxwell Egbele Okoro, Moses Ajijala, Betty Igbene, Mike Lodge, Tuoyor Ojogor, Elliot Totuoma Ukutse and Femi Uwawah.

Chief Thomas Reyitomi tops his faction's list which also included Alex Eyengho, Prince Perry Atete, Ayiri Emami, Pullen Esimimajemite, Isaac Botosan, Sanbdys Omadeli-Uvwoh, John Edah, Mercy Olowu and Julius Atete as nominees.

In the seven-point resolution agreed upon on Monday, it was that both factions agreed to maintain existing peace in the community and anybody seen with arms will face full wrath of the law. They also agreed that all displaced persons must return to their communities immediately.

The resolution of the crisis is coming as the new Ugborodo Community EPZ Interface Committee is expected to be inaugurated next week by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan .

President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the Ogidigben Gas City Development and the Marine University at Okerenkoko where the Ugborodo community also has stakes at the end of the month.

Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan toured the site for the proposed facility on Wednesday.