Osun govt inaugurates 11-man boundary committee to ameliorate disputes

The Governor of Osun State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday inaugurated State Boundary Committee, with a mandate to amicably settle all boundary disputes within the state as well as Osun and contiguous states.

The 11- man committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi , was saddled with the responsibility of adopting Alternative Conflict Resolution Model to resolve every issue.

Recall that the state is currently having boundary contention with her neighbouring states of Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo, coupled with intra boundary disputes amongst some communities like Iwoye/Iragberi, Iwo/Ile-Ogbo, Erin-Osun/Ilobu, among others.

Oyetola, while inaugurating the committee opined that boundary disputes were becoming ” a hydra-headed monster, hence, the need for the establishment of the committee, especially at a critical time like this”.

The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi, said the composition and subsequent inauguration of the Committee was in tandem with Section 4 and 5 of the Osun State Law, Cap 91, 2002.

Accordingly to him, “Boundary disputes are potential source of conflicts in a State and they have the tendency to adversely affect and erode peace, security and development of the State. This is even more so that the extant boundary disputes we are grappling with are both intra- and inter-State in nature.

“However, when well and amicably handled, they promote and engender peace and harmony among affected States and communities.

“As a responsible government, we have decided to adopt a peaceful approach to settle extant disputes amicably between us and the affected States and as well as among affected communities in our State. This strategy is also in line with our recognition and status as the most peaceful State in the country”.

Governor Oyetola, then tasked the Committee to extensively consult with critical stakeholders across the contiguous states, with a view to taking joint measures to harmonise inter-community relationship.

The Attorney General of the State, Barrister Femi Akande, who is a member of the Committee made remarks on behalf of the committee’s Chairman, Mr Benedict Alabi, saying that boundary disputes in the axis were becoming a serious threat.

“Our option for Alternative Dispute Resolution Method against the exposure to the machinery available in the glare of the regular courts remains a proactive and tactical approach to avoid brinkmanship and acrimony and sustain peace within our dear state and with our neighbours”.

He then assured the Governor that the Committee would carry out its assignment diligently and deliver as expected.

Meanwhile, members of the Committee include the Honourable Commissioners for Lands, Finance, Information, Special Adviser on Security, the State Commissioner of Police and the State Surveyor General.

Others are the Commissioner for Boundary Settlement, Justice Kunle Adeigbe, as Mr Olusegun Agboola, who is the the Director of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor, will serve as Secretary to the Committee.