Boston – By Alltimepost.com.
United States-based organization, Edo Movement on Boundary Encroachment and Resources Preservation has expressed grave concern over the continued encroachment on Edo lands and called on leaders of the state for actions to reverse the trend.
The organization, in a press statement during the week appealed to the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, members of Edo State House of Assembly, Office of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Edo State Local Government Chairmen and the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs to come up with an action plan to stop the encroachers and aggressors.
“It’s now very obvious that nearly all Edo citizens are aware of the encroachment crisis plaguing our communities, which has resulted in a mass exodus of local indigenes for security and safety of their life and love ones.”
The statement, signed by the movement’s coordinators, Mr. Stafford Iyomanhan, Dr. Kienuwa Obaseki, Dr. Victor Ihama and Ms. Tina Iyare named some of the communities being encroached upon to include those of Orhionmwon, Ovia South West, Ovia South, Ovia North East and Oja-Akoko Edo Local Government Areas of Edo State.
The organization regretted that Edo State boundary lines have been consequently eroded and redefined by this unfortunate occurrence.
The group urged Edo leaders to start a movement to reclaim all ceded lands and urge all Edo people to assist in stopping the aggression and invasion of our communities, provide the needed assistance to the Enigies (Dukes) who are facing communal crisis as a result of such encroachment.
According to the organization, the movement should include provision of support and assistance to the Okao of Gele-Gele in enforcing the Supreme Court judgment as it stands and assist in defining the boundary lines as it relates to communities.
“If we continue to stand by and watch these acts unfold, the consequences will only compound as we now see the agitation to carve more states from the existing continue to make inroads, and gain some traction,” the group warned.
The organization acknowledged and commended the various efforts made in the past to address all these issues, especially by the Oba of Benin, Chief J.I. Iyonmahan and a host of others fighting “on behalf of our communities.”
The organization however bemoaned the current state of affairs where the encroachers continue to trespass Edo land with impunity and that the situation posed a grave threat to the various communities and resources.
“We the citizens of Edo State have been marginalized in our own land. These acts of aggression and encroachment pose a grave threat to our communities and resources as we witness Edo State boundary lines eroding.”
See full text of the statement:
It’s now very obvious that nearly all Edo citizens are aware of the encroachment crisis plaguing our communities, which has resulted in a mass exodus of local indigenes for security and safety of their life and love ones.
Some of those communities being encroached upon are in Orhionmwon, Ovia South West, Ovia South, Ovia North East and Oja-Akoko Edo Local Government Areas. As a result, Edo State boundary lines have been eroded and redefined.
If we continue to stand by and watch these acts unfold, the consequences will only compound as we now see the agitation to carve more states from the existing continue to make inroads, and gain some traction.
We are aware of various efforts made in the past to address all these issues, especially by OMO N’ OBA N’ Edo, Chief J.I Iyonmahan and a host of others fighting on behalf of our communities.
We are indeed very grateful to them all.
However, we the citizens of Edo State have been marginalized in our own land. These acts of aggression and encroachment pose a grave threat to our communities and resources as we witness Edo State boundary lines eroding for the following reasons:
– We have ceded the Bight of Benin and other Edo lands/landmarks to other States
– Lost several and risk more Historical monuments to others
– The risk of losing some important Traditional Ruler-ship Stools
– Edo State natural and economic resources are being drained under our watch
– The call for development of Historical Gele-Gele Seaport becomes meaningless when we become a land locked State
– The target area suggested for State creation will cripple Edo State economically
– Non action can lead to communal clash and blood bath that can been avoided
Therefore, we the people demand from our leaders a call to renew their vigor and stand up for justice to protect our communities, resources and Edo State boundary lines.
We are pleading with the following Administrators, Local Authorities and Rulers of our State to help drive our message home:
– His Royal Majesty OMO N’ OBA EREDIAUWA
– Edo State Governor
– Edo State House of Assembly
– Office of NEPAD- Edo State
– Local Government Chairmen/Chairpersons
– Commissioner for Local Government Affairs
In conclusion, we are appealing to leaders and Rulers of our State to:
– Start a movement to reclaim our ceded lands and people
– Assist in stopping the aggression and invasion of our communities
– Provide the needed assistance to the Enigies who are facing communal crisis as a result of encroachment
– Provide support and assist the Okao of Gele-Gele in enforcing the Supreme Court judgment as it stands
-Assist in defining the boundary lines as it relates to communities
We the undersigned are willing to accept any call to service as maybe demanded of us to resolve the encroachment problem confronting our people.
Issued by:
Coordination Center Edo Movement on Boundary Encroachment and Resources Preservation
Phone: 980-395-4221
Signed By:
Stafford Iyomanhan
Dr. Kienuwa Obaseki, PhD
Dr. Victor Ihama
MS. Tina Iyare
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