liyel Imoke
By Bassey inyang /Calabar
The protracted communal conflict between Adadama community in Cross River State and their Ikwo neighbours in Ebonyi State requires permanent solution, the Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, has stated.
Imoke said rather than resort to litigation in court, which he observed will linger for a long time while lives and property continue to perish, it is possible for the governments of the two states to arrive at an amicable and permanent solution to the age-long conflict outside the court room.
Imoke said this on Sunday when he addressed a cross section of members of the Adadama community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State at the palace of the Lezekpakor of Adadama, Oval Fidelis Addu Ikoh.
He said a quick resolution of the conflict between the people of Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area will save lives and create access to farm lands because the story from the other side of the conflict is equally gory.
The governor said the people of both states believe the conflict should be well managed and that the visit was to build confidence to enable them find a peaceful solution.
Imoke said the state government intends to rehabilitate displaced communities, aggrieved families, strengthen security presence, and build access road as well as site projects there.
He said a solution is very much in the offing, as he and his Ebonyi State counterpart, Martins Elechi, will soon visit Adadama community to sign agreement, register it and enforce it for the interest of peace between the communities in both states.
The Cross River State chief executive appealed to the youths and elders of the area to be united for the benefit of all and advised those involved in farming not to do so beyond the buffer zone, as government intends to review military action to strengthen the security situation there.
