1 month ago
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Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo
The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Afam Ogene, has commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for constituting a commission of enquiry to address the Ogwuaniocha crisis, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that over 5,000 residents of the Ogwuaniocha community have been displaced from both their homes and farmlands by criminal gangs who have taken over the community and its environs since the communal crisis started in 2021, leading to untold hardship and increased criminality.
The communal conflict also led to the abduction of the traditional ruler in November 2021.
Ogene, who has consistently called on the state government to make deliberate efforts to end the communal conflict, gave the commendation in a press statement he issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Monday.
The lawmaker said the commission of enquiry has the potential to reduce the incidents of violent crimes and other criminalities in Ogbaru and Anambra State in general.
He said, “I called on all concerned to embrace this development and seek sustainable reconciliation for the overall peace and development of Ogwuaniocha and Ogbaruland.
“The panel which was inaugurated on Friday, October 4, 2024, is made up of 13 members and has Justice C.E.K Anigbogu, (retd.) as Chairman and Prof. Felicia Anyogu as Secretary.
“Other members include, Patricia Igwebuike, General Laz Iloh(Retd.), Monsignor Theo Odukwe, Ven. Dr Chinedu Nnatunya, Prof. Ikenna Alumona, Benjamin Uzoka, Chief Emma Obi, HRH Victor Awogu, Prof. Ikem Ivite Nwadigwe, Comrade Emeka Okoye-Ozo and Prof. Charles Ofoegbu.
“According to a document released by the office of the Secretary to the State Government and signed by Justice Anigbogu, the Commission has requested memoranda from interested parties, to inform the panel what they know about the crisis in the community, to assist the panel in facilitating reconciliation in Ogwuaniocha community.
“The document also revealed that oral evidence would be entertained when the panel commences sitting after the collation of memoranda.”
Ogene, who is also the leader of the state caucus in the House of Representatives, had earlier this year in February and April, in a letter, appealed to the state government to set up a panel of inquiry to address the violent conflict and bring an end to the years of lawlessness, fear, reprisal killings and criminality in the community.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in his earlier letter to Soludo, which he accused the governor of ignoring at the time was entitled, “Urgent need for government intervention in the lingering crisis in Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru LGA: A request for a panel of inquiry.”
The letter read in part, “I write to draw the attention of Your Excellency and the state government to the lingering violent crisis in Ogwuaniocha, in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, which has unfortunately led to the sacking of the entire community from both their residences and farmlands, as a result of the activities of criminal gangs who have taken over the community.
“Note, Your Excellency, that Ogwuaniocha is an oil-bearing community, (contributing over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day), which earned the state its oil-producing status, and thus, deserves to be protected from the devices of agents of destruction, essentially, as the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government.”
Ogene had also sponsored a motion in the House of Representatives, calling the attention of the nation to the devastation in the community and the dire living conditions of the displaced residents and requesting relief materials, which was later granted by the government through the National Emergency Management Agency.
