Obubra Council Boss meets With Ikom Counterpart, resolve Age Long Dispute Between Eja and Nsele

Obubra Council Boss meets With Ikom Counterpart, Resolve Age Long Dispute
Between  Eja and Nsele.

Bright Ibingha
Coneri Magazine.

It was a joyful day for the people of Obubra and Ikom Local Government Areas as the two fresh leaders Hon Dr Bassey Agara Tom for Obubra and his counterpart in Ikom, Hon Kingsley Egumi yesterday July 1st met at the Ikom Council hall to end the agelong dispute between Eja community in Obubra and Nsele community in Ikom Local Government Area. The meeting which was facilitated by the deputy leader of Ikom legislative assembly, and councilor representing Nta/Nsele ward, Ikom Local Government Area, Hon Nton Joseph, brought together the chairmen of Obubra and Ikom Local Government Areas, traditiona leaders of Eja and Nsele communities, Councilor representing Osopong ward 1, heads of security, youths leaders, women leaders, opinion leaders and other representatives of the two communities to discuss ways of ending the lingering crisis arising from the ownership and management of the river which also constitutes a natural boundary between the two communities.

In their opening speeches, the two leaders urged the discussants to tow the part of peace, reminding them that no meaningful development can be achieved in an environment of chaos. They charged the people to be truthful in their account, so as to help them trace the root of the problem for easy mediation. On his account, the clan head of Nsele HRH Marcelenus Ekpe disclosed that the Nsele people have no problem with their Eja brothers as the two communities intermarry and have enjoyed good intercommunity relationship from time immemorial. He pointed out that what constitutes a problem now is the fact that the Eja are not comfortable with their tenants that have been staying on their land at the shore side providing revenue for them right from the days of their forefathers. He appealed to the mediators to enquire from their neighbours why they are not comfortable with their Afikpo tenants who work on their water to generate revenue for their survival.

Responding, the traditional ruler of the Eja community, Chief Emmanuel Okem confirmed that they have had a very good relationship with their Nsele brothers from time immemorial, but what he did not understand was why a stranger who is looking for his daily bread cause them to be at loggerheads. Chief Okem said the same Afikpo people who are tenants to Nsele people also share revenue to the Eja people as they cannot do without the shores of Eja. He disclosed that their reason to send the fishermen away was for security of the Osopong people, given the unhealthy relationship between the Ebonyi speaking communities and the Mbembe speaking communities in the Osopong axis, adding that they would not because of revenue put the lives and existence of the Osopong people in jeopardy. One of the Eja community leaders, Mr Vincent Ovat who also spoke in the event said the eviction of the fishermen irrespective of the revenue they pay became necessary as they now hide under the disguise of fishing to perpetrate crime along the water ways, he said the Nsele people are not heat by their activities because they stay miles away from the shores.

Corroborating the fact of insecurity born by the people, the national president of the Mbembe Peoples Assembly Hon. King Omenyi, confirmed that in so many occasions, they have had series of cases where the fishermen masterminded killing, kidnapping and betrayal in the Osopong axis thereby exacerbating and aggravating the plights and already experienced hardship of the people due to incessant killing and maiming by their Ebonyi neighbours. The MPA leader admonished the Nsele people to empathize with their brothers and take the security of lives and properties of the riverine neighbouring communities sacrosanct so as to continue to live in the already established peace and good relationship enjoyed since the days of their forefathers.

The positions of the Councilor representing Osopong ward 1 Hon Anthony Onigha and his Nta/Nsele counterpart Hon Nton Joseph were in tandem as they both asked for committee to be set in the two communities to handle the issue. It was resolved that the security personnels should take care of the insecurity in the area, while the fishermen be given another chance to operate but this time under the close monitoring by the security agents. The police area commander of Ikom, AC Oliver Nnadozie together with his DSS counterpart said the fishermen should be reduced to a manageable number and proceed to be profiled for easy identification and monitoring.

The chairman of Ikom Local Government Council, Hon Kingsley Egumi thanked the people for their understanding and for making the peace process easy for them. On his part, the chairman of Obubra Local Government Council, Hon Dr Bassey Agara Tom also thanked the people for the humility shown in the meeting which he said the two parties were ready for peace. He thanked the Eja chief and his people for responding to his call given the fact that it came very prompt. Admonishing the Nsele people, Dr Bassey Tom said they should not allow the euphoria of revenue override and undermine the security of their brothers. He told the people that the resolution reached was just an experiment, it is subject to review especially if it fails to bring lasting peace in the area as intended.

The meeting ended with the setting up of the committees from the two communities by the two Councilors.








The chairman of Obubra Local Government Area in Cross River State, Hon. Dr. Bassey Agara Tom is currently in a meeting with his Ikom counterpart, Hon. Kingsley Egumi over restoring peace to the two border communities of Eja in Obubra and Nta Nsele in Ikom Local Government Area respectively.

The two communities who have been at loggerhead for a decade now are separated by a River.

The meeting is being attended by Chiefs and leaders of the two communities as well as heads of securities in the two Local Government Area.

Details shortly