Dispute Between Edo, Delta Over Boundary Rages, Edo Assures Early Settlement

By Ayodele Oni

Almost over 30 years of its balkanization to two states of Edo and Delta from old Bendel State, the two states are still engulfed in border disputes.

The ragging disputes, according to findings, stems from discovery of crude oil from some of the border communities between the two states.

However, Edo State Commissioner of Mining and Energy, Engineer Osaze Uzamere has expressed optimism that the issue of the age long boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states of Edo and Delta States will be resolved before the end of the year.

Uzamere, who spoke in Benin confirmed that there are about three or four oil and gas communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State where there are boundary disputes between them and some communities in Delta State.

The commissioner said that the state government is in conversation with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to settle the matter and determine the actual length of the boundary between the two states, which used to be part of Bendel State, before it was split into Edo and Delta States by former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1991.

He said that the dispute started in 1996 during the military era, decades before the return to  democracy in 1999.

Uzamere, the former Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki assured that each of the oil and gas rich communities will get what rightly belongs to it.

“The federal government is in control of those oil and gas fields because oil and gas belong exclusively to it. The federal government gives each state its own share of what it rightly deserves.”

“We have to follow the law and due process in all that we do. We are aware that over the years, there have been boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states. It’s not even over oil and gas but about the whole space.”

On conflict between host communities in Egbokor, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, the site of a modular refinery and the investors, Uzamere commended the youths for keeping the peace instead of resorting to violence.

He added that the government, like an umpire, will have to protect the citizens and create an enabling business environment so that people get their just dues.