A peace agreement made by the Ebonyi State Government for the settlement of the land dispute between Amasiri in Afikpo and Edda in Edda Local Government Area has been signed by both parties.
The State Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Paul Nwobasi, made this known shortly after presenting the peace agreement papers to leaders and youths from both sides during a peace meeting held recently at the Old Government House, Abakaliki.
In view of the findings on the lingering land dispute between the Amasiri and Edda people in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas, the State Government waded into the crisis through the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution to bring a lasting solution and ensure permanent peace in the affected areas.
Professor Nwobasi, who revealed that mediation and inspection of the disputed areas had commenced, disclosed that both parties had mutually agreed to halt all forms of hostility and attacks against one another to enable the State Government restore lasting peace.
The Commissioner maintained that any party, group, or individual that violates the peace agreement would be answerable to the laws of Ebonyi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In their acceptance speeches shortly after signing the peace agreement papers, the Traditional Ruler of Edda, Eze Charles Azuenya, and his counterpart from Amasiri, Eze Onya Bassey-Idam, agreed to prevail on their warriors to lay down their arms to allow the State Government to intervene in the crisis with the aim of resolving the land dispute amicably.
Speaking on behalf of the youths from both sides, Hon. Maduka Amadi from Amasiri and Comrade Nwachi Okoro Ibe jointly agreed to stop all forms of hostilities and to cooperate with the Ministry and the State Government in their efforts to bring lasting peace to the trouble-ridden areas.
Meanwhile, both parties agreed that the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, alongside the Office of the Surveyor-General of Ebonyi State, should propose and demarcate the land in dispute between Amasiri and Edda.
To this end, community leaders from both sides who attended the peace agreement meeting include government appointees, stakeholders, town union leaders, traditional rulers, youths, among others.
