Anambra State Government Spits Fire Over Umuchu/Umunze Boundary Dispute

CHUKA UBAH

Anambra State Government Boundary Commission has warned the two communities, namely Umuchu in Aguata and Umunze in Orumba Local Government Areas, not to disrupt the determined efforts of the state government to bring a lasting solution and peace by creating a boundary demarcation between the two communities.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the warning was given at the Deputy Governor`s office during a meeting between the representatives of the towns and the Deputy Governor, who is the head of the State Boundary Committee, at the Deputy Governor’s office.

The two communities were allowed to feature three representatives at the peace meeting including the traditional ruler of Umuchu, Igwe G.O. Ezechukwu, Barrister Bertrand Obidinu and Ogbuefi Raph Njirika as part of the team, while Umunze had former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Emeka Sibudu, chairman of Ugwunano community and one other person.

During the meeting, the Deputy Governor, H.E. Dr. Nkem Okeke, read the riot act to the two communities, stressing that any violation of the standing rules would have the violators arrested and dealt with the government’s way. He said that the Technical Team of the State Boundary Commission will return to business soon to continue with the boundary demarcation exercise.
He observed the challenges faced in the process and stated that the number of persons from each side that would work with the Technical Team as they return to site was trimmed down to two in order to reduce friction as witnessed in past.
” Anyone, other than the two selected persons, seen within the vicinities of work will be arrested. The two communities are to communicate the government position to their people and warn them accordingly or have themselves to blame” he said.
He stated that the date for the resumption of action on the land will be announced shortly and that Government will stick to the 1932 judgment in going about the exercise.

It will be recalled that Umunze and Umuchu had dispute over the boundary which went to several Courts and in 1932, Umuchu won the case. Subsequently, Umunze went on Appeal to both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court and lost. Since then, there was no peace over the actual boundary. Thus, Umuchu wrote to the State Government to determine the boundary between not only the towns but the two local governments in the State.

It was gathered that Umunze has put up some obstacles and hampered the demarcation hence the meeting and warning by the government.