A Niger Delta activist and the national Coordinator, Center for Environmental Peace and Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade has called on the Delta State Government to take a firm position toward ending the lingering crisis between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
Comrade Mulade made the call following renewed hostilities which led to burning of houses, injuries and death of persons on both sides.
Speaking with Journalists in Warri, Comrade Mulade prevailed on the State governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to rise above political sentiments and actively find a lasting solution towards ending the destructive communal clash.
He urged the governor to use his position as the Chief security officer of the state to adopt practical steps aimed at restoring peace and security to Ogbe-ijoh and Aladja.
“The government must take a firm stand even if it means displeasing some political allies as the committees set up to solve the problem have proved unproductive and failed woefully. However, the State government must stop the business of unproductive committees and face the reality of ending the unnecessary blood shed between the two neighbors”, he said.
He added that;”The crisis is communal and not ethnic; Governor Okowa has at his disposal all mercenaries and apparatus to stop the fighting if political sentiments and interest is shelved”.
According to him also;”Peoples lives are being wasted and some unproductive committees enjoys their new jobs of compiling report upon report that are disconnected from the reality of the crises. Governor Okowa should call a spade a spade regardless of who is angry or benefiting from the crises, the government should stop playing politics with peoples lives”.
Comrade Mulade further noted that the crisis has hindered development, business and social economic activities in Warri South-West and Udu Local government Areas, adding that the governor as a Chief security officer in the state is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties by ensuring that peace and security is not compromised for any reason.
