Aladja community wants Warri council headquarters relocated

Delta State

Aladja community in Delta State Delta State has canvassed the relocation of the headquarters of Warri-South West Local Council from Ogbe-Ijoh.

The Vice President General of the community, Christian Whiliki, made the appeal when the community leaders addressed the media yesterday.

He said the appeal became necessary to avert further blood from the perennial clashes between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities.

Whiliki disclosed that no fewer than 19 persons had so far been killed and hundreds injured since 1995.

Also, the president general, Ibrahim Dumuje, explained that Aladja had fully cooperated in all attempts by individuals and governments to settle the incessant dispute.

The community alleged that the Prof. Abednego Ekoko-led panel set up by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had been unable to resolve the crisis, because the deputy governor and the chief of staff are Ijaw indigenes.

But the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, yesterday denied the allegation of interference.

He said the Okowa administration was committed to peace, as security is part of the SMART agenda of the government.

“We have spent so much time building peace. The Ijaw and Urhobo are brothers. We hope there would be peace between both communities in the coming year,” he said.