The Enugu State Government has cancelled a Harmonized Boundary Agreement previously signed by two neighboring communities- Oruku and Umuode. This comes as the long-standing conflict between the two, which has been ongoing for years, despite interventions by several administrations, continues to claim lives and property in the area.
While the immediate past administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi made efforts to reconcile the communities, the killings persisted throughout his tenure. In fact, it has been revealed that Ugwuanyi’s administration had actually nullified the boundary agreement, but this was not made public until now.
According to the document, which was signed on May 26th, 2023, the boundary agreement between Oruku Community and Umuode Community was published in the State Official Gazette. However, after this publication, there was an increase in the incessant breakdown of law and order, which resulted in several killings, maimings, burning of houses, and destruction of farmlands in the area.
The Governor, exercising powers conferred on him by Section 21(1)(a) of the Interpretation Law Cap. 98 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, has ordered the cancellation of the Harmonized Boundary Agreement, the survey of the old Oruku communal land by the technical committee resulting in its consequent demarcation and apportionment of the old Oruku communal land at the ratio of 70:30 to Oruku and Umuode communities respectively, and also the creation of the Aguikpa autonomous community.
It is expected that the people of Oruku and Umuode communities should evolve autochthonous peace-building mechanisms towards amicably resolving their differences, as the government asserts that the peace and welfare of the people is its primary concern.
