ENUGU—The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo has called on the people of Umuabo community, Ihealumona and Umuozalla community, Opi all in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu Sate to help create the enabling environment for government to initiate a peace process that would bring to an end, the lingering land dispute between them which had resulted in killings and destruction of properties.

She made this call at the Government House Enugu while inaugurating a seven man Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the dispute between the two communities, noting that the setting up of the commission by Governor Ugwuanyi was necessitated by the need to find a permanent solution to the problem and promote peace between the parties in the overriding interest of the public welfare.

She noted that the commission’s terms of reference were to investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the dispute between the two communities as well as ascertain the number of persons killed or injured and the properties destroyed.

The commission, she said, is also expected to identify the person(s), groups or institutions who were directly or indirectly involved or sponsored the dispute with a view to making recommendations on how to avert/prevent similar dispute in future, or any other recommendations it may consider appropriate in view of its findings.
The deputy governor thanked the members for accepting to serve and noted that she was convinced they would deploy their experience and integrity and competences in the discharge of the task satisfactorily.

She also urged members of the two communities as well all relevant agencies and the public to accord the commission all necessary support towards achieving its mandate.

The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Kingsley Udeh (retd.) in a response made on behalf of the other members expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state, noting that they were committed to the task of achieving the best results in the shortest time if given the necessary materials to function.

Briefing the press shortly after the inauguration, the state Commissioner for Information Dr Godwin Udeughele said that the event was in line with Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to maintaining and promoting peace across the communities in the state.