The Ebonyi State Government has issued a directive for the swift release of white papers concerning the Ezza/Ezza Effium and Isinkwo/Abaomege communal conflicts.
The affected communities in Ohaukwu and Onicha Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ebonyi have witnessed fratricidal clashes, resulting in significant loss of lives and property, with previous attempts to quell the conflicts proving unsuccessful.
Mr Jude Okpor, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, revealed this development during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on December 22.
He announced that the state governor has established an implementation committee tasked with ensuring the full execution of recommendations provided by committees previously set up to address the conflicts.
Heading the implementation committee is Dr Ben Odoh, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. According to Okpor, the Secretary of the Committee on the Ezza/Ezza Effium communal conflict, Rev. Fr Charles Out, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state in this capacity.
He expressed optimism that the implementation of the committee’s recommendations would offer permanent solutions to the conflict.
Similarly, Prof. Wilberforce Oti, the Secretary of the Committee on the Isinkwo/Abaomege conflict, affirmed that the committee diligently adhered to its terms of reference in fulfilling the assignment.
Oti noted that the committee extensively consulted archival materials, sought input from prominent elders, and gathered submissions from members of the warring communities.
