Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, also serving as the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, praised the leaders of both communities for their commitment to peaceful resolution. The Oyo State Government initiated efforts on Wednesday to address a long-standing boundary dispute between Oorelope and Saki-East Local Government Areas.
The peace talks, convened by the state government, brought together representatives from both local governments at the Western Hall, Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, also serving as the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, praised the leaders of both communities for their commitment to peaceful resolution, noting that their decision to report any encroachment from neighboring areas reflected a genuine readiness for peace.
Lawal explained that boundary dispute had been in existence since 1960; and inter-state boundary dispute and inter boundary dispute needed to be solved amicably as every responsible government would always want to avoid bloodshed.
He said, “It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this very important meeting to put heads together for further appropriate action in resolving the boundary disputes between the two local governments. My attention was recently drawn to the issue of demarcation and the Office of the Deputy Governor has been handling the issue very carefully to prevent bloodshed.
“So, on behalf of His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, I can assure you that we are doing everything possible towards the demarcation exercise, hence the need for you to exercise more patience on the task before us. The government would mobilise the Office of Surveyor General to carry out the land boundary demarcation exercise. Whoever between the two communities has documentary evidence to assist the surveyor general in respect to the survey should make a presentation.”
