Following the on going feud between Kogi and Anambra states over ownership of a certain oil well, vice-president Namadi Sambo met with governors of both states in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, August 29, 2014.
The meeting which was held behind closed doors had Kogi state governor Idris Wada in attendance with his Anambra counterpart Willy Obiano represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, both parties spoke to newsmen expressing satisfaction as to the outcome of the meeting, heaping praises on Sambo for his ability to handle the situation well.
Thisday reports:
According to Wada, both parties in the dispute were exploring dialogue and expressed hope of amicable resolution of the dispute.
“We are making a lot of progress. Under the direction of Mr President the boundary commission (National Boundary Commission) is tracing the boundary between the affected states in our area.
“And by the grace of God, by the end of this year all these issues will be behind us.
“Security is a dynamic issue. Kogi State is relatively peaceful by the grace of God and every effort is being made to maintain peace and tranquillity in Kogi state’’ Wada said
Also, Okeke told journalists that his boss was committed to peaceful resolution.
According to Okeke, “I am here representing my principal, Chief Willie Obiano, who is unavoidably absent because of the burial of Dora Akunyili. I think this is one thing that is foremost on his mind to solve.
“Nobody wants senseless killings, killings for no reason. He sent me here to make sure that we get things moving, and I’m quite pleased with the way the Vice President carried out the meeting.
“He gave directive to the National Boundary Commission to set a date to do all the necessary surveys and establish the boundary between us and Kogi state, and I believe in the near future things will be sorted out.
“His Excellency, you know security is foremost on his mind; my principal has been working hard on security”
“The bottom line is to make sure there is security presence in the area, and make sure that people don’t encroach into other people’s land, and make sure that people don’t come into your own land.
“And I believe his counterpart in Kogi is doing the same thing to try and maintain peace. We will continue to pray and hope that there won’t be any more violence in the area’’ Okeke said.
The seemingly intractable dispute with regards to the oil wells located in the boundary towns of Agulueri in Anambra and Odeke in Kogi states, started August, 2012.
The warring states are laying claim to the ownership of the oil wells.
