Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, has charged members of the state’s Boundary Committee to ensure quick intervention whenever is an issue relating to boundary between communities.
Sir Onyeme gave the charge on Wednesday in Asaba at the inaugural meeting of the Delta State Boundary Committee.
According to him, “boundary matters are very sensitive and require appropriate attention as they arise so as to prevent such from escalating into full blown crisis that could lead to breakdown of law and order.
“Since assumption of office, a lot of communities in our state have requested for the intervention of the Boundary Committee in their boundary issues; this shows that they have confidence in the ability of government to proffer solution to their challenges and this made it such, that we must ensure quick intervention whenever such issues arise to ensure that there is peaceful co-existence in all parts of our state.”
The Deputy Governor who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee, told members of the committee about what is expected of them.
He disclosed that the committee is “to deal with inter-local government boundary disputes within the state with a view to resolving them;
ii. To monitor border relations with neighbouring states and between local government areas with the state with a view to detecting areas of tension and possible conflicts and take necessary measures to address them;
iii. To liaise with the boundary committee of neighbouring states with a view to taking joint measures to promote cordial inter-communal and inter-state relationship;
iv. To constantly evaluate the developmental needs of the border areas and advise government accordingly;
v. To source for and protect all boundary marks including beacons, angle irons or pillars of any nature in place for the purpose of demarcating the boundaries;
vi. To encourage and promote joint inter-communal development ventures among border dwellers;
vii. To encourage negotiated settlement of boundary disputes and other issues;
viii. To monitor and co-ordinate the activities of local government boundary committees within the states and deal with disputes beyond the competence of the said committees; and
ix. To interact with the zonal liaison officers of the National Boundary Commission in the area.
He added, “This is our inaugural meeting and His Excellency, the Governor of our dear State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, sent his felicitations. Being the inaugural meeting, I am aware that most of us have been members of this committee for several years, and I say, thank you for the sacrifice that you are making for us to get it right for our people.
“Though, we have people who have been serving as members of this committee for several years, permit me to refresh our memories about this committee for us to be properly guided in our actions.
“The Delta State Boundary Committee was established by the Delta State House of Assembly Law 2001 and the law provides that the Chairman of the Committee is the Deputy Governor of the state and has as members, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Commissioner for Works (Rural), Commissioner for Information, Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Commissioner of Police, Director of the State Security Services, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Surveyor-General of the state. It is worthy to note that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Surveys serves as Secretary of this Committee.
“Also, Traditional Rulers, particularly, those whose Kingdoms share boundary with neighbouring states are ex-officio members of this committee, while three boundary scholars who are reputed for historical memories and have the capacity to carry out detailed research on boundary issues are among us as representatives of the three senatorial districts of our state. It is therefore, a thing of joy to welcome the two boundary scholars who were recently appointed as members of this committee. Please, you may rise up for recognition. Congratulations! The other one was appointed before now.
“Great Deltans, my brothers and sisters, there is also, a sub-committee, the Technical Committee which has the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as Chairman. This sub-committee has the Surveyor-General of our state as Secretary and it handles technical issues and report to the main committee for appropriate decisions to be taken.
“From what we have seen among us, this committee is composed of the right caliber of government officials and personalities so as to do justice to Boundary matters in our state.”
